ROCOR Hierarchs Gather for 90th Anniversary of St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral

HOWELL, NJ — St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in Howell, New Jersey, marked its patronal feast and 90th anniversary on September 11-12 with a two-day celebration attended by Metr. Nicholas of Eastern America and New York and several other hierarchs of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia (ROCOR). The visiting hierarchs included Abp. Gabriel of Montreal and Canada and Bps. Spyridon of Chicago and Mid-America, Theodosius of Manhattan, Luke of Syracuse, Kliment of Levka of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church, and Jerome (Shaw), retired. Metr. Nicholas brought the Kursk Root Icon of the Mother of God, the chief holy icon of the Russian Church Abroad, while Priest Nectarios Yangson brought the myrrh-streaming Hawaiian-Iveron Icon of the Mother of God for the veneration of the faithful.

The icons were placed on decorated analogia alongside a newly painted icon of St. Alexander Nevsky, created by cathedral Protodeacon Paul Drozdowski. The icon depicts St. Alexander Nevsky and St. George the Trophy-Bearer looking toward the Tikhvin Icon of the Mother of God, with three churches represented between them: St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, the former St. Alexander Nevsky Church now known as Tikhvin Church, and neighboring St. George Church. Numerous parishioners and faithful from other states attended the festal services. The parish male choir, directed by Alexandra Lukianov, sang at the All-Night Vigil, while the mixed choir, directed by Andrei Roudenko, provided the music for Divine Liturgy.

At the Divine Liturgy, 29 priests served, with Protodeacon Paul Wolkow of St. Seraphim Memorial Cathedral in Sea Cliff, New York, serving as senior deacon with 19 other deacons. Metr. Nicholas elevated parish Dn. Dumitru Lşan to the rank of protodeacon in recognition of his work restoring the cathedral’s frescoes. After the Eucharistic Canon, Sbdn. George Rimakis was ordained to the diaconate and will serve at the cathedral. In his sermon, Metr. Nicholas pointed to the example of St. Alexander Nevsky, who preserved the Orthodox faith during turbulent times, and encouraged the faithful to seek the saint’s intercession and follow his example of meekness and humility.

The First Hierarch also reflected on the cathedral’s nine decades of ministry, thanking God that the church had been a place where the faith was strengthened and people were brought to repentance and salvation. Archpriest Serafim Gan, chancellor of the ROCOR Synod of Bishops, read a Synodal gramota that Metr. Nicholas presented to cathedral rector Archpriest Serge Lukianov. Another gramota was presented to longtime parishioner and engineer Nicholas E. Burbelo in recognition of his work on architectural and engineering plans for the expansion of the parish clergy house. Fr. Serge thanked the visiting hierarchs and clergy for their participation, while the parish presented Metr. Nicholas with blue vestments, a cross, and two panagias commemorating the jubilee.

The celebration concluded with a banquet and concert attended by approximately 230 hierarchs, clergy, parishioners, and guests. The parish presented liturgical gifts to the visiting hierarchs, while priests, deacons, subdeacons, and readers received commemorative models of the cathedral and small icons marking the anniversary. The newly ordained Dn. George and Matushka Daria were also congratulated, and their family presented him with five new sets of vestments. The festivities continued with fellowship and a concert featuring clergy and choir members under the direction of conductor Andrei Roudenko.

Previously, the UOJ reported that Metr. Nicholas welcomed a Jerusalem hierarch at the ROCOR Synodal Residence.