NEW YORK: April 27, 2016
The First Hierarch Consecrates a New Podvorie and Church in Brooklyn on Lazarus Saturday

On Saturday, April 23, 2016, the day the Holy Church marks the Resurrection of Lazarus the Righteous by the Lord, His Eminence Metropolitan Hilarion of Eastern America and New York, First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, performed the rite of minor consecration of the renewed church dedicated to the Icon of the Mother of God “Inexhaustible Cup” in Brooklyn, NY, and celebrated the first hierarchal Divine Liturgy in the church.

This parish, having endured two relocations in recent years, finally obtained a permanent home, and after a large renovation project performed by AZCC Builders Inc, once again opened its doors to the faithful.

With the blessing of Metropolitan Hilarion, with the aim of reestablishing normal parish life and missionary efforts, the church has opened as a podvorie [representative center], under the direct jurisdiction of the President of the Synod of Bishops. His Eminence was joined in the services by Protopriest Alexandre Antchoutine, rector of the parish, Hieromonk Tikhon (Gayfudinov), Hieromonk Yeliferiy (Skiba), Protodeacon Vadim Gan and Protodeacon Denis Lvov. The choir sang solemnly and ceremoniously under the direction of Zlata Mishina.

A great many believers, including people from neighboring parishes came to pray with the Primate of the Russian Church Abroad in the new temple despite the rainy weather. Russian diplomats serving in the US were also in attendance along with other dignitaries from Russia.

At the end of Liturgy, Metropolitan Hilarion addressed the worshipers, noting “It is providential that the consecration of this church coincides with the memory of the Resurrection of Righteous Lazarus of the Four Days. Just as once the Lord raised Lazarus, today the Lord is returning this church to existence, and we have the opportunity together to raise lift our prayers and thanks to God.” His Eminence also pointed out the beauty of the new church and expressed the hope that the parish will find spiritual success here.

As a token of gratitude for setting up the Metropolitan’s podvorie in Brooklyn and reestablishing parish life here, Vladyka Hilarion distributed decrees of blessing of the President of the Synod of Bishops to Fr Alexandre, Senior Priest of the church Fr Eliferiy, Treasurer Tatiana Telariko, Andrei Fedukhin, Svetlana Liubomir, Irina Matkova, Lev and Raisa Meshoyrer, the entire choir under Ms Mishina, Elizaveta Yeriichuk and other active parishioners, and gave them memorial icons.

Fr Alexandre then thanked Vladyka Metropolitan on behalf of the parishioners, worshipers and all in attendance for his prayers and support in the difficult period they had just endured, and gave His Eminence a gift of a white klobuk [metropolitan’s headdress] with a custom-made jeweled cross. Vladyka Metropolitan then inspected the second floor of the building which will house a book store and priest’s rectory.

The celebrations ended with a trapeza luncheon and performance by the church choir.

The new church and Metropolitan’s podvorie are located at 3117 Coney Island Avenue Brooklyn, NY, 11235, and is open daily from 8 am to 8 pm.