EASTERN AMERICAN DIOCESE: 29 July 2025
St Vladimir Memorial Church hosts its feast day

On July 27, 2025, the 7th Sunday after Pentecost and the eve of the feast day of the Holy Equal-of-the-Apostles Great Prince Vladimir, the annual St. Vladimir’s Day Celebrations were held at St. Vladimir Memorial Church in Jackson, NJ. Diocesan clergy and faithful from the parish and other parishes of the Diocese gathered for the feast. Officiated the festivities and celebrating Divine Liturgy was Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York, co-served by Bishop Jerome (Shaw).

Serving alongside the hierarchs were:

• Archpriest Serge Lukianov (dean of New Jersey)
  
• Archpriest Ljubo Milosevic (rector of Holy Trinity Church in Vineland, NJ)
  
• Archpriest Leonid Goferman (rector of Holy Virgin Protection Church in New Brunswick, NJ)
  
• Archpriest Serge Ledkovsky (deputy rector of the memorial church)
  
• Archpriest Nikolai Manduke (memorial church cleric)
  
• Priest Anthony Williams (cleric of St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in Howell, NJ)
  
• Protodeacon Leonid Roschko (memorial church cleric)
  
• Protodeacon Paul Drozdowski (cleric of St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral)
  
• Protodeacon Michael Pavuk (cleric of Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville, NY)
  
• Deacon Konstantine Aleshin (cleric of Nativity of the Mother of God Church at the New Kursk Root Hermitage in Mahopac, NY), and
  
• Deacon Nikolaos Kontogiannis (cleric of St. Nicholas Church in Endicott, NY).

A combined choir of the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City and the parish sang at Liturgy under the direction of conductor Vadim S. Gan.

In keeping with tradition, a copy of the wonderworking Pochaev Icon of the Mother of God was brought to the church from Holy Trinity Monastery. With the blessing of His Grace, Eastern American Diocesan vicar Bishop Luke of Syracuse, Fr. Michael Pavuk brought the icon from Upstate New York for veneration by the faithful.

Upon conclusion of Liturgy, His Eminence greeted the clergy and faithful with the feast, and called on them to continue to gather for prayer and the St. Vladimir’s Day Celebrations in this magnificent church.

In recognition of his many years of diligent work on the Synodal Arts & Architecture Commission, and as warden of St. Vladimir Memorial Church and St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Alexander V. Levitsky was awarded a Synodal gramota.

The clergy and faithful then went in procession around the church, and the day’s traditional water blessing was performed.

A luncheon was held after the service. Parishioners and guests dined both in the church hall and outdoors, where they were offered shish-kabob, pirozhki, sweets, and drinks.

Young people from the memorial church and the Russian School at the St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral performed a concert in beautiful folk costumes. Those who wished to also watched the traditional Cossack performance.

On Monday, July 28, the feast day of the Holy Great Prince Vladimir, Metropolitan Nichoas celebrated Divine Liturgy in the memorial church. Joining the clergy who had served the day prior were:

• Archpriest Vasily Andrejuk (cleric of St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral)
  
• Archpriest Serafim Gan (chancellor of the Synod of Bishops)
  
• Archpriest Vasily Zelenyuk (rector of Our Lady "Unexpected Joy" Church in Staten Island, NY)
  
• Archpriest Christopher Walusimbi (rector of Holy Annunciation Church on Bukasa Island, Uganda)
  
• Priest Anatoly Revitskyy (diocesan cleric)
  
• Protodeacon Serge Arlievsky (cleric of the Synodal Cathedral), and
  
• Protodeacon Eugene Kallaur (cleric of St. Seraphim Memorial Church in Sea Cliff, NY).

Metropolitan Nicholas greeted the clergy and worshippers – parishioners and guests – with the feast.

Interaction between the clergy and faithful continued at a festal luncheon.

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