January 15, 2016
Brooklyn, NY: First Liturgy served in New Home of "Inexhaustible Chalice" Church

On Saturday, January 2, the feast day of the Holy Righteous John of Kronstadt, the parish of the Most Holy Theotokos "The Inexhaustible Chalice" celebrated the first Divine Liturgy in its new home on Brighton Beach in Brooklyn, NY. Diocesan secretary Archpriest Serge Lukianov led the service, co-served by parish rector Archpriest Alexandre Antchoutine, dean Hieromonk Yeliferiy (Skiba), and Deacon Vladimir Barros (cleric of Holy Virgin Intercession Church in Glen Cove, NY).

At the Augmented Litany, special prayers of thanksgiving were offered to the Lord for His speedy aid in helping the parish find its new location, which is ideally located and well on its way to completion, with an iconostasis and candle counters installed, with more icons being prepared for the entryway and walls. The new site also includes a second floor, which will house a bookstore and apartment for a full-time priest.

Upon completion of the service, a short moleben was served to St. John of Kronstadt, who is the parish’s second Heavenly intercessor, after the Mother of God.

After the service, Fr. Serge greeted Fr. Alexander, congratulating him, Fr. Yeliferiy, and parishioners on the great amount of work already done in establishing the new church. In turn, Fr. Alexandre thanked Fr. Serge for his support in the parish’s most trying times, and asked him to relay similar thanks to Metropolitan Hilarion, Bishop Nicholas, and the Diocesan Council.

The site at 3117 Coney Island Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11235 is the parish’s second new location since leaving its original site. In order to better restore order in the parish following the many difficulties faced in recent years, Metropolitan Hilarion has issued a directive making the church a Stavropegial Metropolitan Metochion under His Eminence’s direct supervision. Russian Orthodox Christians on Brighton are encouraged to attend and support the fledgling church, while those who cannot attend are asked to support the parish in their prayers.

Media Office of the Eastern American Diocese