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Bp. Jerome Commemorates 50th Anniversary of Abp. Nikon’s Repose
Bp. Jerome commemorated the 50th anniversary of Abp. Nikon’s repose at St. Vladimir Memorial Church, recalling his missionary zeal and hopes for Russia and Church unity.
JACKSON, NJ — Bp. Jerome (Shaw) of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia (ROCOR) presided over services for the departed at St. Vladimir Memorial Church on September 4, commemorating the 50th anniversary of the repose of Abp. Nikon (Rklitsky). The services took place during the Afterfeast of the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos.
Abp. Nikon, who reposed on September 4, 1976, served as Archbishop of Washington and Florida. He is buried at the Memorial Church alongside Abp. Vitaly (Maximenko), who served as Archbishop of Eastern America and Jersey City and reposed in 1960.
Archpriests Serge Lukianov, Nikolai Manduke, Serge Ledkovsky, and Protodeacons Leonid Roschko and Paul Drozdowski concelebrated the services with Bp. Jerome. The commemoration honored Abp. Nikon five decades after his death and recalled his longstanding service to the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia (ROCOR).
In his recollections, Bp. Jerome described Abp. Nikon as a man who firmly believed in the future resurrection of Russia and the Russian monarchy and expected Russia eventually to regain a prominent position in the world. He also believed that the divisions within the Russian Orthodox Church would ultimately be healed and that the Church’s center would return to Russia. At the same time, Abp. Nikon strongly supported missionary work among non-Russians.
Bp. Jerome recalled that Abp. Nikon treated people with fatherly love and was known for his courtesy, benevolence, and accessibility. He personally answered letters and encouraged parishioners to support their priests, extending the same affection to clergy serving outside ROCOR.
Previously, the UOJ reported that Metr. Nicholas called clergy to honor the legacy of ROCOR hierarchs.
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