January 2, 2014
Coronado: Parish Life in Costa Rica

On December 10-20, Eastern American Diocesan secretary Archpriest Serge Lukianov performed a work and pastoral visit to Our Lady of Vladimir Church in Coronado, Costa Rica. The parish, which has been without a full-time rector for more than half a year now, is in dire need of pastoral care. Over the course of his visit, Fr. Serge led several discussions with parishioners, and provided for their spiritual nourishment.

After Vigil on Saturday, December 14, a penitent prayer of confession, authored on Mt. Athos, was read, touching the hearts of the faithful. All present then confessed their sins. On Sunday, with many people in attendance, Fr. Serge celebrated the Divine Liturgy, co-served by Priest Ignacio Miranda from the local Antiochian mission. Many of the faithful communed. Praying alongside the faithful were Russian Federation Ambassador Alexander K. Dogadin and his wife Irina. After the Liturgy, Fr. Serge thanked Fr. Ignacio on behalf Metropolitan Hilarion, First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad, for his service to the parish and the love he had shown its parishioners.

After a bountiful luncheon, with the blessing of the Metropolitan, four parishioner couples were wed. People who sought Fr. Serge’s advice on various matters ultimately decided to be married on Sunday, after the Divine Liturgy. His Eminence blessed the performing of Holy Matrimony during the fast, owing to the fact that these were people who had already long been in civil marriages. The parish has no wedding crowns, so the parishioners fashioned them out of flowers, together, as one family. Fr. Serge and Fr. Ignacio performed the weddings in Slavonic and Spanish. The parishioners, meanwhile, stood behind the newlywed couples and prayed for their familial welfare, good health, and long life unto the glory of God. Fr. Serge congratulated the newlyweds and told them that love is of course needful, but more important in family life is friendship and living according to God’s commandments.

Recently, thanks to the efforts of parishioner Miguel Avalos, the church property has been transformed into a park, for which Miguel and all those who took part in the adornment of the church territory were sincerely thanked.

What faces the parish in 2014?

Celebrating the parish’s 20th anniversary (est. 1994)
On Friday, December 13, a meeting was held in the Russian embassy between Ambassador Dogadin and Fr. Serge, who asked Dogadin for assistance in organizing the parish’s anniversary. November 9 of the following year was established as the celebratory date, which has already received the blessing of Metropolitan Hilarion, who will attend the celebration and carry out the great consecration of the church, along with invited clergy.

Wiring
On Friday, January 10, 2014, wiring installation will begin throughout the church property. The estimated cost is $3,600, for which $1,005 – one third – has been collected at recent services.

Iconostasis
On Thursday, January 16, with the blessing of Archpriest Daniel McKenzie (rector of St. Vladimir Church in Miami, FL), the servant of God Alexander, a carpenter, will travel to Costa Rica from Miami to build an iconostasis and any other wooden items needed in the church. The parish has an iconostasis design prepared; Alexander will donate his time and labor to Costa Rica unto the glory of God, while the parishioners will have to cover the expense of materials.

Dome (Cupola)
At the present time, $2,600 has been collected toward the construction of a dome, but much more is needed. The overall cost of installing the cupola and cover the roof is approximately $35,000.

Mission rector Fr. Serge asks everyone’s help in the speedy completion of God’s church! The mission is in no financial position to collect all of the funds itself.

Information for donating:

Banco de Costa Rica
Cuenta #290-0006670-2 (en colones)
Cuenta #290-0010910-0 (en U.S. dolares)
Asociacion Mision Ortodoxa Rusa

Banco de Costa Rica
Asociacion Mision Ortodoxa Rusa en Costa Rica
Account #290-0010910-0 (U.S. dollar)
SWIFT BCRICRSJ
San Jose, Avdas. 0 y 2, Calles 4 y 6, Costa Rica

Based on materials from the parish Facebook page: Iglesia Ortodoxa Rusa en Costa Rica.

Republication of materials must include a reference to: 
"Eastern American Diocese www.eadiocese.org."

Media Office of the Eastern American Diocese