Fr. Protodeacon Joseph Jarostchuk was one of those rare people who combined within himself a very skillful way of serving at the divine services with a very humble and amicable character.  He served very carefully and also prayerfully.  And he loved to serve at all opportunities.  The older brethren of the monastery remember how for over 50 years he would spend all of his free time serving in the monastery for the special days of commemorating the dead, and who can forget his awesome voice, serving at the festal services of Pascha, Holy Nativity, Pentecost as well as the very special Holy Week services?

The annual Great Lenten northern American diocesan clergy retreat was held at Holy Trinity Monastery.  Over 70 priests and deacons traveled to the Monastery to participate in the gathering on April 10 and 11.  Seminarians were also invited to take part.   Russian Church Abroad church traditions and other pastoral important issues were discussed on Tuesday. Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning, all attended the Great Lenten services in the monastery cathedral, culminating in the hierarchal celebration of the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts.  

This year, the feast of the Annunciation coincided with the Sunday of the Veneration of the Cross.  The feast, of course, happens at a fixed date, and so, from year to year, depending on what day it falls, it is always interesting to see the commination.  The hymns of this feast, celebrating the incarnation of the Son of God, go along very well with those of adoration of the Son of God’s Life-giving Cross.  The adoration of the Cross gives us the strength to continue our Lenten podvig and helps us concentrate on where we are going with our Great Lenten feat of prayers and fasting.  The feast day of the Holy Theotokos, bursts forth with joy during this somber time of year.

This past weekend in the monastery had many grace-filled blessings.  His Eminence, Archbishop Gabriel brought us the reliquary from Synod, containing the right hand of the New Martyr Grand Duchess Elizabeth and a relic of her co-struggler the New Martyr Barbara.  Vladyka was traveling to his diocese in Canada an desired to bless us with the opportunity to venerate these holy relics.

Once again, the Lord has blessed us at Holy Trinity Monastery to be able to “retreat” for a week in prayer and strict fasting to attempt to renew ourselves spiritually.  On Forgiveness Sunday, Great Vespers was celebrated at 3PM, celebrated by His Grace Bishop Luke, together with the clergy assigned to the monastery.  After the Great Prokeimenon, the service reverted to a simple Great Lenten service as the covers on the analogions were changed to black from gold.  In the evening, after trapeza, Small Compline was served, ending with a sermon by our Abbot.            Upon finishing his sermon, Vladyka asked forgiveness of us, and thereupon, all those present, monastics, clergy, seminarians and neighbors asked forgiveness one of another as we venerated the icons. 

"The Russian Orthodox Diocese of Sitka and Alaska held its annual clergy retreat in Anchorage from Friday March 8th through Sunday, March 10th hosted by His Grace ALEXEI, Bishop of Sitka and Alaska. As a special guest, His Grace LUKE, Bishop of Syracuse and Abbot of Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville, led our retreat meditations, speaking on the theme “Confessing Holy Orthodoxy.”  The retreat commenced with a solemn and joyful All-Night Vigil and Divine Liturgy served at Saint Tikhon’s Russian Orthodox Church in South Anchorage.  The resplendent service included a universal memorial for all the Orthodox Faithful departed.  Vladyka Alexei offered fervent prayers and blessed koliva for the departed in anticipation of the Sunday of the Last Judgment.

The ever-memorable Metropolitan Laurus, First Hieraarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia from 2001 to 2008, also abbot of the Holy Trinity Monastery and rector of the seminary from 1976 to 2008, reposed on March 16, 2008.  It was under his leadership that the two parts of the Russian Church reconciled and joined in canonical union.

Depending upon the date of the beginning of Great Lent, this feast has a longer or shorter afterfeast.  Since this year Pascha is late, the afterfeast lasts a full week.

On February 12 (New Calendar) the Church celebrates the memory of Saints Basil the Great, John Chrysostom and Gregory the Theologian.  This feast was established to end the controversy over who among these holy fathers was the greatest.  In other words, the Church wants to emphasize that they are all equal in honor and piety and importance for the Church.

In the evening was held the All-Night Vigil, consisting of Great Compline, Litya and Matins.  The polyleos was served by Vladyka. 

            The Royal Hours for the feast were served at 8 AM Thursday morning.  After a brief rest, there was the Meeting of the Bishop at 9:45, vesting, and then promptly the Vespers Liturgy of St. Basil was started.  During the Old Testament readings, the clergy chanted the praises antiphonally with the choir.  At the conclusion of the Liturgy, there was the Great Blessing of Water.  The clergy, followed by the faithful, processed to the bell tower for this ceremony.  Vladyka poured some water from the Jordan River into the fount.  As Vladyka lowered the Cross into the water of the baptistry fount, all the bells of the bell tower pealed.  Then all returned to the church as the bishop blessed with holy water the church, including the altar.  The liturgy concluded with the Many Years.

The feast of the Holy Nativity is celebrated with great solemnity in our monastery. 

During the fore feast, all of the monastery and seminary buildings are thoroughly cleaned.  Every evening, at Compline, a special canon is read to prepare us for the upcoming feast.

On November 21/ December 4, the Holy Church celebrates the feast of the Theotokos Into the Temple, one of the twelve great feasts of the Church. 

One of the remarkable features of this feast is that for the first time, we hear the Irmosoi of the Nativity sung in church, as katavasia on feast days.  Thus the Church gradually accustoms us to the coming of this wonderful holy day.

What made this feast more joyful this year, was that Vladyka, with the blessing of Metropolitan Nicholas and the Synod, awarded our Seminary professor, Father John Boddecker, with the gold cross, for his service to the Seminary and the monastery. 

Also, the missionary priest in Grenada, Hieromonk Ambrose, was awarded with the nabedrinik.  Fr. Ambrose is spending some time in the monastery to practice serving and to have a spiritual rest from his labors.

 Congratulations to both these laborers in the Lord’s vineyard.

On November 21 (8th Old Style), is held the feast of the Archangel Michael and all of the Bodiless Hosts.  His Grace Bishop Luke concelebrated the divine liturgy together with the monastery clergy on the feast day itself after the All-Night Vigil served the evening before. 

As this is also the anniversary of the repose of the every-memorable Metropolitan Philaret, the third First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad, as has become traditional, a litya was served at the end of the divine liturgy for his blessed repose.

Mother Hilaria from the Convent of the Holy New Martyr Grand Duchess Elizabeth Convnet of Minsk, Belarus, visited our monastery more than a week ago.  

Mother Hilaria in her talk described how the convent lives and functions.  It is amazing the social work that they carry on, for the poor, the sick, prisoners, and all kinds of people who cannot live without support.  In this they try to emulate their patron saint, the Venerable Martyr Grand Duchess Elizabeth. 

The convent has both traditional nuns with obediences and daily cycle of services.  They pray for people all over the world.  They also have lay sisters who take care of the needy in several asylums.  Their workshops are known for their handiwork and its high quality.  There are over one hundred nuns and about the same number of lay sisters. 

After Mother Hilaria’s very informative talk, there was a question and answer time with refreshments served.

October 23/ November 5 (NS) is the day of the commemoration of the holy Apostle James, Brother of the Lord in the flesh.   It has been the tradition on this day to serve the ancient Liturgy of the Apostle James, ever since the fathers of our church revived this liturgy in the Russian Church Abroad.

October 21 (Nov. 4 O.S.) is the day of the commemoration of the Venerable Hilarion of the Kiev Caves.  This was the Name’s Day of our ever-memorable Metropolitan Hilarion.  His Eminence, Metropolitan Nicholas came from New York to serve the Divine Liturgy on this day.  His Grace Bishop Luke along with the monastery clergy concelebrated with the Metropolitan.

The abbot of Holy Trinity Monastery and rector of Holy Trinity Seminary, His Grace Bishop Luke celebrated his Name’s Day on Tuesday, October 31, the day of the Holy Apostle and Evangelist Luke.

Since the horrific murder of Brother Jose Munoz in 1997, it has been traditional for the parish of St. John the Baptist in Washington, DC to organize a pilgrimage to the monastery to commemorate this servant of God and his heroic feat of being caretaker of the Myrrh-Streaming icon of Iveron of Montreal. 

A uniquely great feast in the Russian Orthodox Church is the feast of the Protection of the Most Holy Theotokos.  In other local Orthodox churches, this feast is considered a minor feast, but the Russian Orthodox celebrate this feast as if it were one of the great feasts in honor of the Mother of God, to whom Russia has always been especially dedicated.

On September 28 (October 11 New Style), the Church celebrates the memory of the Venerable Fathers and God-pleasers of the Kiev Caves Monastery, reposing in the Near Caves.

During World War II, the Dormition Cathedral of the monastery was blown up by the Soviets.  Fortunately, before this, many valuable holy things were saved from destruction, and after the war, a large tabernacle of relics from the Kiev Caves Lavra was gifted to the monastery by refugee fathers from the monastery.  One of the first decisions made by Vladyka Luke, when becoming abbot of the monastery in 2008 ,was to establish a feast in the monastery of the Kiev Caves Fathers.

On the morning of Thursday, September 28, 2023, the Seminary administration discovered an anonymous electronic communication which made the claim that there was a bomb placed in the Seminary. The communication made the claim that a bomb was left because of “Russian atrocities in Ukraine.”  The administration made an immediate risk assessment and contacted NY State Police, who advised to evacuate the buildings.  The administration then cleared the Seminary and monastery buildings.  The NY State Police quickly brought in troopers, investigators, a K-9 unit, and an officer from the computer crimes unit.  The Richfield Springs Fire chief and EMS came and remained on standby.  Local roadways were closed, and pilgrims were turned away temporarily.  Students, monks, pilgrims, staff, and workers stayed outside for the rest of the morning and early afternoon while the police made an investigation and a K-9 unit swept the buildings.   As it happened, K-9 unit members were training nearby, so the police made use of many dogs at once, and so were able to make a complete and thorough sweep of the entire monastery campus very quickly. 

When the investigation found no evidence of any explosive device, the Monastery and Seminary community was cleared to re-enter the buildings.  The police investigation is ongoing.  Classes have resumed and monastery life continues as usual.  Local persons in the larger community are supportive.

On behalf of Bishop Luke, our Rector, and all the Monastery and Seminary community, we wish to thank the New York State Police for their speedy response and professional handling of this case, the Richfield Springs Fire Chief and local EMS responders, our First Hierarch, Metropolitan Nicholas, and all those who have offered and are offering their prayerful support. 

Greetings to All with the ongoing feast of the Exaltation of the Precious and Life-giving Cross!
 
Having served the Divine Liturgy today in the Synodal St. Sergius chapel and beginning to attend to various matters in my office, I was informed of the bomb threat situation at our Holy Trinity Monastery. This caused me grief. I prayed before the wonderworking Icon ‘Joy of All Who Sorrow’ located in the St. Sergius chapel. I was later informed from his Grace Bishop Luke that all was well and the threat had been cleared. His Grace Bishop Luke, the monks, seminarians, and those residing at the monastery, giving thanks to Almighty God, returned to their assigned obediences and studies. 

One of the great feasts of the Church is the Exaltation of the Live-giving Cross of the Lord.   The Cross is the main symbol of our salvation.  Upon it our Saviour was crucified and died for our sins. 

The first feast of the Church year is the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos.  His Holiness, Patriarch Kirill in his sermon for the feast pointed out that Orthodox Christians begin the Church year with the blessing of the Mother of God and finish the Church year, also with the Mother of God, with the feast of Her Dormition.

On Friday evening, September 15, a concert entitled "Bells, Choirs & Resounding Virtuosity" was held at the Christ Episcopal Church in Cooperstown, NY, beginning the celebrations dedicated to the 75th anniversary of Holy Trinity Seminary in Jordanville, NY.

The monastery is blessed to have a relic from the head of St. John the Baptist, gifted to the brotherhood still in Slovakia. 

On this day we celebrate the feast of the Uncovering of the Relics of St. Job of Pochaev in 1659.  As noted before, due to the long Labor Day weekend, the monastery holds an All-People’s pilgrimage of our beloved saint.   On this day, however, we also have an All-Nigh Vigil and hierarchal liturgy served in the basement church of St. Job.

From way back, it has been the tradition of the monastery to hold a special All-People’s Feast commemorating our Venerable and God-bearing Father Job of Pochaev, the heavenly protector of our publishing efforts and also the Pochaev Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos, taking advantage of the long weekend.

This day, August 18/31, 2023, we celebrated the memory of the Holy Martyrs Florus and Laurus, the patron saints of two people who played a remarkable role in the life of the monastery and of the Church Abroad.

As was previously written, the Burial service of the Mother of God was served on the Apodosis of the feast of Transfiguration.  On the feast itself, Vladyka served the polyleos during the Vigil and the Divine Liturgy on the feast day, along with the monastery clergy. 

On the feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord, His Grace Bishop Luke served the Divine Liturgy together with the monastery clergy.  After the Great Entrance, Vladyka ordained Deacon Paul Siewers to the priesthood.  Fr. Paul serves in the mission in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania and will be serving his 40 days in the monastery.

            The murder of the Tsar of Russia Nicholas II and his family is a very dark day in the history of Russia.  However, out of their deaths came great spiritual gains for not only Russia, but for all of the Orthodox world.  They truly offered their lives for the future rebirth of Holy Russia and for the expiation of the sins of the people.  As the years go by, more and more people, not only in Russia, but from all over the world, come to participate in the divine services in Ekaterinburg on this day.

The fast of the Apostles, or the fast of the Apostle Peter as it is sometimes called, is not only for preparing us for the feast celebrated on July 12, but also, in the wisdom of the Church, an opportunity to take advantage of the Christian virtues of prayer and fasting, after the long Paschal period.  The Church, aware of our human weaknesses, realizes that we need a time of fasting to help us live a life of repentance and prayer.

The patronal Feast Day of St. John of Shanghai and San Francisco was celebrated at St. John Mission in Lewisburg, PA, on Sunday July 2, with Bishop Luke of Syracuse presiding.

His Grace arrived for Vigil Saturday evening, and also served Divine Liturgy on Sunday.
 
With Bishop Luke were mission clergy, the Rector Father George Sharonoff, the founding Rector (retired) Hieromonk Claude Vineyard, and Deacon Paul Siewers. Holy Trinity seminarian and Reader John Keller assisted the Bishop along with mission altar servers.
 

On June 17-18, 2023, the Sunday of All Saints who have shone forth in the land of Russia, His Grace, Eastern American Diocesan vicar Bishop Luke of Syracuse, came from Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville, NY to Saints Theodore Church in Buffalo, NY, where he led the celebrations in honor of one of the parish’s patron saints, Great Martyr Theodore Stratelates and the translation of his relics.   

Over two years ago our Abbot Bishop Luke was struck by the aura of spiritual antiquity and holiness reflected in the artifact, a stone head of an early Hieromartyr Benigne of Dijion France. After extensive research he decided to attempt to obtain a relic of the Saint for the Monastery.  Correspondence began with the Archbishop of Dijon, Monseigneur Roland Minnerath, with the assistance of a parishioner at our Synod Cathedral Dr. Joachim Pissarro. Finally our priest in France, Père Quentin de Castelbajac, was able to receive the relic in Dijion from the hands of Archbishop Roland. Eventually, several months later (as this was during the pandemic) he was able to pass it on to  Dr. Pissarro who was on a lecture tour in France.

On his return to America Dr. Pissarro brought the holy relic to the Monastery. Much labor was needed to create an icon wherein to enshrine the relic. Because the image would be one of its kind an iconographer  the postulant Gabriela from our convent of “Quick to Hear“ worked together with Bishop Luke for more than six months and with God’s help the icon was completed. Through the prayers of the Hieromartyr Benigne (Benignus) may the Lord
bless all those who contributed to a revival of the veneration of an early Western Orthodox Saint.

Copies of the icon are available from our icon mounting studio.
 

Pentecost is the patronal feast of the Holy Trinity Monastery.  More exactly, Holy Spirit Day, the 2nd day of Pentecost is the patronal feast of the cathedral of the Holy Trinity.  This feast traditionally Is celebrated in the monastery with great solemnity.  

On May 13,  2023, His Grace Bishop Luke of Syracuse, Vicar of the Eastern American Diocese, Abbot of Holy Trinity Monastery  and Rector of Holy Trinity Seminary in Jordanville arrived in Australia to take part in the celebrations of the 100-year anniversary of the founding of Saint Nicholas Cathedral in Brisbane, Queensland.

On the Seventh Sunday of Pascha, in addition to the appointed celebration of the Commemoration of the 318 God-Bearing Fathers of the First Ecumenical Council, Holy Trinity Seminary held its  Commencement ceremony at the conclusion of the 75th  academic year. The Divine Services for the weekend were celebrated by the First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, Metropolian NICHOLAS, along with members of the monastery clergy and some distinguished alumni.

On May 16, 2022, the ever-memorable Metropolitan Hilarion of New York and Eastern America, First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad, from 2008 to 2022, reposed in the Lord.  He was buried behind the monastery cathedral in the brotherhood cemetery.

Following ancient Jewish traditions of dividing the year into festal seasons and the feasts themselves into parts, the Orthodox Church commemorates the half-point way from the feast of Pascha to the feast of Pentecost, with the feast of Mid-Pentecost.  It is an ancient tradition to bless holy water on this feast, which is done in the monastery at the old-fashioned water-well, which has recently been refurbished.  At the end of the liturgy on this day, several of the monastery priests and deacons, accompanied by the choir and the faithful processed to the well to the ringing of bells, for the Lesser Blessing of Water. 
             
 

On the feast of St George , Cyprian Fennema was ordained to the diaconate and on Sunday of the Paralytic he was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Luke at Holy Trinity Monastery.  Father Cyprian will be serving as a Chaplain for Hosparus Health in Louisville, KY; as a Chaplain for the Kentucky Army National Guard at the 103rd BSB in Harrodsburg, KY; and as a (on loan) priest for the Antiochian Archdiocese at St. Andrew parish in Lexington, KY. Jurisdictionally he will report directly to ROCOR's First Hierarch Metropolitan Nicholas.

Fr Cyprian is currently a lecturer in Patrology in the Certificate of Theological Studies program at Holy Trinity Seminary.

May God help the newly ordained Father Cyprian to work for the salvation of souls.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
 
The issues below have become more critical with daily technological advances. The positions expressed are those of Holy Trinity Seminary and reflect the opinions of our late spiritual fathers such as Metropolitan Laurus and Archimandrite Kiprian.
 
+ Bishop Luke
Rector, Holy Trinity Seminary
 
 
 
 
Currently, reproductive biomedical technology, called "surrogate motherhood", is becoming increasingly widespread. Although this practice is permitted by law in several countries, it continues to cause heated discussions in society. The "Fundamentals of the Social Concept of the Russian Orthodox Church", adopted by the Jubilee Bishops' Council in 2000, assesses this phenomenon. However, a number of issues concerning the pastoral attitude to the consequences of "surrogacy" continues to be debatable. By this document, the Russian Orthodox Church gives church-practical instructions concerning the baptism of children born with the help of a "surrogate mother".

This year, the monastery celebrated a very warm Pascha in all senses of the meaning.  The Lord gave us unusually warm temperatures.  Many pilgrims arrived at the monastery in order to celebrate the Feast of Feasts with the brethren and the seminarians.  The large bell begins to be rung as the choir sings the Canon of Holy Saturday during the Midnight Office. At the end of this, the shroud is brought back into the altar and placed on the Holy Table, where it will stay all during the Paschal season.

Holy Week in the monastery, as experienced by our many pilgrims, is a very special time of year.  All of the many special services of Great Lent lead up to the commemoration of the Passion of the Lord.  Liturgically, on Great and Holy Wednesday, there are changes in the typicon which express the unity of these days, leading up to the feast of our Lord’s Resurrection, Holy Pascha.  Whereas the Psalter is read twice a week during Great Lent, and there are many Prayers of St. Ephraim, no more are these observed, neither is the Presanctified Liturgy celebrated, the last one being served on Great Wednesday.

On April 6, 2023, on the even of the feast of the Annunciation, Matushka Galina Tkaschow reposed in the Lord after a long illness.  She was the matushka of Archpriest Nikolai Tkaschow, pastor of the Church of the Entrance of the Mother of God Into the Temple in Syracuse, New York.

The feast of the Annunciation is like a bright light in the dark solemnity of Great Lent.  This year, it was two days before Palm Sunday, so we had the delight to celebrate two great feasts within a couple of days of each other, with the equally joyous feast of Lazarus Saturday in between. 

On the Fifth Saturday of Great Lent, the Saturday of the Akathist, we commemorate the “Laudation of the Virgin” Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos.

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To provide our clergy with the opportunity to better spiritually prepare for the great feast of Pascha, it has been a tradition to hold conferences during Great Lent.  It was agreed that future conferences should be held annually in Holy Trinity Monastery/Seminary due to the conducive monastic atmosphere and especially the complete lenten services.

Having gathered in Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville, New York, for the Lenten retreat and conference of clergy of the northern deaneries of the Eastern American Diocese, we, clergy and monastics, having bowed down in worship before the Cross, communed of the Holy Mysteries, and honored the memory of the 40 Martyrs of Sebaste, raised up our prayers for the flock entrusted to us. We prayed especially for our persecuted brothers and sisters of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, led by His Beatitude Onuphry, Metropolitan of Kiev & All Ukraine.

Incredible as it might seem, fifteen years have gone by since the repose of our beloved archpastor and abbot, Metropolitan Laurus, on March 16.

As is commonly known among Orthodox Christians, of late the canonical Orthodox Church of Ukraine has been undergoing increasing persecution in Ukraine.  And now it has been announced by the regime in Kiev, that the monks of the Kiev Caves Monastery, the holiest site of Orthodoxy in Ukraine, and the birthplace of Russian Orthodoxy, have to leave their home.  The Church has announced that they do not recognize this as legal and intend to remain.

The First Week of Great Lent is a very special time of spiritual retreat for the brotherhood and seminarians at Holy Trinity Monastery and Seminary.  Although the monastery celebrates many feasts with great solemnity and observes the Church fasts strictly, the First Week is a very special time of year, when literally everything shuts down except for the most necessary activities. 

This year, the patronal feast of the seminary was celebrated with special solemnity.  This being the 75thanniversary of the seminary, it is only fitting that the seminary was able to mark this holy day in such a special way, for which we give thanks to our Lord.

This year, the celebration of the Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ has been as festive as usual, however without the snow that usually typifies Christmas in Jordanville

On December 6/19, the Church celebrates the memory of one of the most beloved saints of the Orthodox Church. 

On December 4 (NS), the Church celebrates the great feast of the Entry, or Entrance, of the Mother of God Into the Temple.  This is a feast very much beloved by monastics.  At the age of three, the holy little child is taken to the temple in Jerusalem, to become prepared to be the Mother of our Lord.  She spent her time there in prayer, fasting, and in conversation with the heavenly hosts.  In this way, her life in the inter-sanctum, or the Holy of Holies, was a forerunner of the monastic life.

 
            On November 30 (New Style), the Church commemorates the memory of St. Paisius, who was very much responsible for the renewal of monasticism in Russia in the 19th century.

On November 21, 2017 Metropolitan Hilarion blessed the opening of the new  woman’s monastery Convent of the Mother of God, Quick to Hear.   Metropolitan Hilarion and Bishop Luke belived there was a need for a woman’s monastery in the Russian tradition using English and with God’s blessing our monastery is now celebrating its 5th year anniversary.   Bishop Luke and Mother Nektaria (McElroy) searched for a suitable property for establishing a monastery.  After several months of searching a lovely and very picturesque piece of property was found, a five acre plot of land with a house and a very large unfinished two-story garage.  It is in the quiet rural hills just outside of Richfield Springs, NY and a 20 minute drive from Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville.

On the second weekend of October, from the 6th to the 9th of the month, the inaugural Uncut Mountain Press conference took place at the Antiochian Village, Pennsylvania. More than 250 people were in attendance and nearly thirty were clergy, with broad pan-Orthodox representation. His Grace, bishop Luke of Syracuse, was the honorary chairman and a speaker at the conference, which was dedicated to the ethos of the Orthodox Church.

Before God created the physical world, he created the spiritual world.  Especially important for Orthodox Christians are the Bodiless Hosts who are a constant in our spiritual life.  On this day, we celebrate their memory.  In a way, it is the Name’s Day of all of us since we are all given a Guardian Angel at baptism, who assist us along the path to salvation and in all of our needs.

Today, the holy and miraculous Icon of Iveron from Hawaii departed the monastery after a most blessed stay of almost one week, during which all felt and witnessed the great mercy and love of the Most Holy Theotokos towards us sinners.

There are times when the grace of the Holy Spirit seem especially abundant in the Holy Trinity Monastery.  Such has been so these past few days.

On Saturday the 19th and Sunday the 20th of October, His Grace, Eastern American Diocesan vicar Bishop Luke of Syracuse came from Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville, NY to Protection of the Mother of God Church in Rochester, NY. His Grace’s visit was timed to coincide with the parish’s patronal feast day, which had taken place on the feast of the Protection of the Most Holy Theotokos the Monday prior.

Unlike in other local Orthodox Churches, in the Russian Church, the feast of the Protection of the Most Holy Theotokos is considered a great holy day and is treated much as one of the twelve major holy days of the Orthodox Church.  In part this is due to historical reasons.  This feast commemorates the miraculous appearance of the Most Holy Mother of God in the Church of Blachernae in ancient Constantinople, when the city was in danger of sacking by pagan warriors from present-day Russia.  This intervention of the Holy Virgin caused the pagans to reevaluate their paganism, upon beholding the power of the Mother of God in protecting the Orthodox people.

Among the many relics that the monastery is blessed to have, perhaps one of the most precious is a piece of the true Life-Giving Cross of our Saviour.  It is contained in a beautiful wooden pectoral cross, which belonged to the every-memorable Archbishop Averky, previous abbot of our monastery.  The cross itself is contained in a larger cross.  This cross is the one used for a couple of the commemoration days of the Cross of our Lord, specifically for this feast.

On September 8/21, the Holy Church celebrates the first great feast of the church year, the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos, as it is called in the service, “The beginning of our salvation.”

On Sunday, 18 September, 2022, ceremonies surrounding the enthronement of His Eminence His Eminence Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America and New York, newly-elected Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, took place.

On Tuesday, 13 September, the election of His Grace Nicholas, Bishop of Manhattan, as the new First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia by its Council of Bishops took place.

In accordance with the Act of Canonical Communion, signed on May 17, 2007, the Council will send the Act of Election, drafted by the vote-counting committee, to His Holiness Kyrill, Patriarch of Moscow & All Russia, with a request to bless the electee to assume the duties of the First Hierarch entrusted to him by his brother-archpastors, and for confirmation of the election by the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church.

The rite of enthronement of His Eminence Nicholas, Metropolitan of Eastern America & New York, newly elected First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad, will take place on Sunday, September 18.

Schedule of Divine Services
for the Enthronement of the First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad:

Saturday, September 17 ‒ All-Night vigil in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign at 6:00 PM.

At the end of the service, the newly elected Primate will emerge through the Royal Doors in a black klobuk and common bishop’s mantle and face the congregation. Two senior hierarchs will then present a white klobuk and blue mantle, which the newly elected First Hierarch will don, aided by subdeacons. At this moment, the senior-most hierarch will announce "Axios" ("he is worthy") which will be repeated first by the bishops then by the choir.

After this, the Primate will bless the clergy and congregants. Before this, the blue mantle and white klobuk will be blessed with holy water by the senior-most hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad during the reading of the First Hour.

Sunday, September 18 ‒ Divine Liturgy at the Cathedral at 9:30 AM.

After the reading of the entrance prayers and the customary vesting of the two senior hierarchs, the new Metropolitan will be escorted to the vesting area, when "Axios" will be repeated by the hierarchs and clergy, then by the choir. Divine Liturgy will commence in the customary manner.

After the service, a moleben will be performed along with the entrusting of the archpastoral staff to the new Primate, which was blessed on the crypt of the Holy Hierarch Tikhon, Patriarch and Confessor of All Russia.

Source: https://eadiocese.org

This year, the feast of the Beheading of St. John the Baptist coincided with this Sunday’s service.  The monastery was blessed with a pilgrimage of faithful from the parish of St. Panteleimon in Hartford, CT., along with its pastor, the Very Rev. Dionysii Nalitov.

As shown in a previous posting, the monastery celebrates the memory of St. Job of Pochaev on Labor Day weekend for the sake of the faithful, who take advantage of the long weekend to come to the monastery in pilgrimage. 

However, the real feast is on August 28/September 10.  On this day, the monastery had an All-Night Vigil the evening before, and His Grace Bishop Luke celebrated a hierarchal Divine Liturgy together with the monastery clergy.  At the end of the Liturgy, a moleben was served to St. Job with a Cross Procession around the church. 

Since Labor Day weekend is a long weekend, and in order to provide the faithful the opportunity to spend the holiday in a spiritually profitable way, it has been the tradition of the monastery for many years to dedicate this weekend to the memory of St. Job of Pochaev and the Pochaev Icon of the Most Holy Mother of God.  This is only fitting as the roots of the monastery’s traditions go back to the Pochaev Monastery in Volynia, present-day Ukraine.

Today in the Church calendar are commemorated the holy Martyrs Laurus and Florus.  This was the Name’s Day of our beloved and ever-memorable Metropolitan Laurus (+2008) and Archimandrite Flor (+2012).

The feast of the Dormition is celebrated very solemnly in our monastery.  In recent years, the Burial of the Mother of God has been added to the typicon of our monastery.  On the feast itself, special hymns are chanted to glorify the Most Pure Holy Virgin in her Dormition. 

A few years ago, His Grace Bishop Luke, abbot of Holy Trinity Monastery, instituted the practice of celebrating the “Burial” of the Mother of God.  In Russia, there were different practices of how to commemorate this event.  In our monastery it was decided to perform this service on the Eve, or the Forefeast, August 14th. 

There are three feasts of the Saviour in the month of August.  The first one was the feast of the Procession of the Cross. The Transfiguration is the second one, and the feast of the Image-Not-Made-By-Hands is the third, the day following the feast of the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos.

It is the tradition of the Orthodox Church to put the Cross in the middle of the church for the veneration of the faithful, during the Matins service on the eve of this feast.  This commemorates when the True Cross was brought out of the Imperial Treasury and placed on the altar of the Hagia Sophia Cathedral in Constantinople. 

 
            On July 23 and 24, 2022, His Grace Bishop Alexis of Sitka and Alaska (OCA) paid a visit to the Holy Trinity Monastery.  Having been given a tour of the monastery grounds, His Grace Bishop Luke, abbot of the monastery, invited Vladyka Alexis and his travel companions to a tea in the afternoon.  The two bishops interchanged ideas about contemporary issues of the Orthodox Church locally and in the world.  Vladyka impressed all with his humble and sincere bearing. 

The celebration of the feast of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul is the culmination of the fast that precedes it, differing ever year in its length due to the date of Pascha.  However, the fast is not only for preparation for a great feast, but also the Holy Church established this fast knowing very well our weaknesses and tendency to excess, especially after Pascha and the end of the Great Fast.  Also, in keeping this fast, we united ourselves prayerfully to the holy apostles who fasted and prayed after Pentecost to prepare themselves to begin preaching the Gospel to the world.

On July 7 (N.S.), the Church celebrated the feast of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist, of whom the Lord spoke as a man no greater of whom had been created.

The feast of St. John falls on the Saturday closest to the day of his repose, so that the faithful might find it easier to participate in the feast of this saint of the Church Abroad.  This year, this was July 2nd. 

Today, June 24 is the 40th day of the repose of the ever-memorable Metropolitan Hilarion.  Our dear Vladyka was much loved by his flock, as he himself always showed us so much love.  So, not just as our natural duty, but out of love for all that Vladyka did for us, his spiritual children, we observed a special day of prayer in his memory.

For Holy Spirit Day, many visiting clergy arrived from all over to participate in the monastery’s feast day.  Vladyka was greeted “with glory” at the refectory staircase.  Despite being a work-day, the church was filled with pilgrims.  Before the Small Entrance, Priest Ephraim Willmarth, the assistant to the seminary dean was awarded the right to wear the kamilavka.  Vladyka stated that this is due to his diligent service to the seminary and the Church.  We whole-heartedly congratulate Fr. Ephraim and Matushka Joanna for this well-deserved distinction.

The patronal feast of the monastery is Pentecost, more particularly, the Day of the Holy Spirit, the day after the great feast day.  On Saturday afternoon, the Rule for Communion is longer than usual as the Akathist that forms part of the Rule is to the Holy Trinity, a very lengthy composition.  During the All-Night Vigil, when the Litya is served, it is our tradition to process around the church, stopping at all four corners for the petitions to be read. 

The day before Pentecost, Saturday, there is a special commemoration in the Church’s typicon for all of the Orthodox reposed.  Since the monastery has a very large cemetery, it has been the custom for many years to have the Divine Liturgy on this day in the cemetery’s chapel of the Dormition, which was built almost fifty years ago in memory of the New Martyrs and Confessors of Russia, especially the Royal Martyrs.

The Holy Trinity Orthodox Seminary is an integral part of the life of the Holy Trinity Monastery.  The seminarians participate in the life of the monastery, in its services as well as in all other aspects of monastery life.  Likewise, the monastics participate in many ways in the life of the seminary. 

On June 2, the Holy Church celebrated the great feast of the Ascension of the Lord.  Culturally, this feast trails behind the solemnity of how Pascha and the Nativity of the Lord are celebrated by the faithful.  However, this is unfortunate, since this feast celebrates the culmination, one might say, of the Lord’s salvific life on this earth for mankind, in that this holy day commemorates how the Lord took our human nature and with it sat at the right hand of God the Father. 

On June 1st was the celebration of the Leave-taking, or Apodosis, of Pascha.  His Grace, Bishop Luke, celebrated the divine liturgy early in the morning, along with monastery clergy.  During the Liturgy, he ordained seminarian Lawrence Remington from Indonesia, to the deaconate. 

On Sunday, May 15, Deacon Lawerce Cunnighham was ordained to the priesthood by His Grace Bishop Luke at Holy Trinity Monastery. May God help Priest Lawrence to serve the Church with zeal and piety.  Fr. Lawrence currently is enrolled in the Holy Trinity Orthodox Seminary.

On Tuesday, May 24, the whole Russian Orthodox Church Abroad, and also many in other churches, commemorated with prayer the 9th day since the repose of our dearly beloved Metropolitan Hilarion of blessed memory.  In the monastery His Grace, Bishop Luke, together with the monastery clergy served a pannikhida at the grave of Vladyka with the monastery/seminary choir singing.  Joining in prayer were many neighbors and pilgrims. 

Christ is Risen!

I was introduced to Metropolitan Hilarion (then  Fr. Hilarion) by Fr. Luke (Bishop Luke), the present abbot, who introduced me to Orthodoxy, when the time came to prepare for baptism.  Fr. Hilarion had been busy preparing one of the older professors for passing into eternal life, Professor Sergei Ivanov.  My memories of Fr. Hilarion are those that are universally held by all those who had the grace to know him.  He was so kind and friendly.  He made you always feel that you were the center of his attention.  He remained so until his last days.

            The newly reposed Metropolitan Hilarion began his spiritual life in our Holy Trinity Monastery.  After successfully completing his studies in the Holy Trinity Orthodox Seminary, Igor Alexeivich Kapral was tonsured the Monk Hilarion and rapidly was ordained to be a hieromonk.  Until he was chosen to be Bishop of Manhattan in 1984, he began his pastoral life in the monastery while performing many different obediences.  The monastery being the spiritual center of the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad, he quickly became well known by our pilgrims as a spiritual leader, exhibiting the important monastic and pastoral virtues of deep humility, simplicity and love.  It was extremely rare that Fr Hilarion was seen to be angry or depressed.  He exhibited spiritual joy and was very attentive to the needs of all with whom he crossed paths. 

After Compline today the first Pannikhida was served for Metropolitan Hilarion at Holy Trinity Monastery presided by our Abbot, Bishop Luke. Bishop Luke asked for everyone gathered to pray for the repose of our beloved Metropolitan who was not only a member of the brotherhood but a caring and accesible ruling Hierarch who always showed interest in the life of the monastery, seminary and convents. He was a tireless shepherd giving his time to answer the many requests from different people and often staying up very late at night being on the phone with people to help them. The pannikhida was served in an atmosphere  of sober sorrow but also hope in the Resurrection that God would grant His servant eternal rest to where the righteous repose. 

Today, May 16, 2022, the feast day of St Theodosius of the Kievan Caves, at two o’clock New York time, following a lengthy illness, His Eminence Metropolitan Hilarion of Eastern America and New York, First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, reposed in the Lord, in a NYC hospital.

On the third Sunday of Pascha, the Sunday of the Myrrh-bearing Women, His Grace Bishop Luke presided at the Divine Liturgy, along with the monastery clergy.  This was a particularly joyful occasion as Vladyka performed two ordinations along with a tonsure to the subdeaconate.

Our abbot, His Grace Bishop Luke, commented at the luncheon meal on the day of Pascha, that whatever our Lord wills, happens, and without Him, nothing happens.  So it was that He willed that our monastery and community has had a most wonderful and solemn paschal celebration.  This is especially felt after two years of the Covid crisis.  For this we are most thankful to our Risen Lord.

After a brief rest of several hours, Vespers for Holy Saturday is served with many Old Testament readings and the Prokeimenon, “Arise, O God…,” during which all the coverings in church and the altar as well as the vestments of the clergy are changed to Paschal white.  Thereupon we proceeded with the Liturgy of St. Basil with the chanting of “Let all creation be silent…” in place of the usual Offeratory Hymn.  It is also monastery tradition that on this day all partake of the Holy Mysteries. 

            At the end of the Liturgy, according to and in remembrance of ancient practice,  large loaves of bread were blessed and distributed to the faithful which were eaten with some wine, in memory of the fact that in the early Church, Christians remained in church all day, awaiting the Resurrection of the Lord.
 

Holy Thursday the Church commemorates the first Mystical Meal, or Divine Liturgy.  The main theme is the partaking of the Body and Blood of Our Lord and the unity of His apostles with their Master.  By divine providence, we still have this in Christ’s Church to this day.  The Eucharist both unties us to our Lord and one to another.

 
            Liturgically Great Lent finishes on Friday of the 6th Week of Great Lent, and the Church celebrates a dual feast, that of the Resurrection of Lazarus from the dead and the Entrance of the Lord Into Jerusalem, or Palm Sunday as it is commonly known.

Many years ago the monastery did not have its own Unction service as is customary, during Great Lent in many dioceses, however around 30 years ago, a time when several of the monastery brethren were ailing from serious illnesses, Archbishop (later Metropolitan) Laurus, became convinced that it was a good thing to do. 

On the Fifth Sunday of Great Lent, the Holy Church commemorates the life of St. Mary of Egypt, as an example of ascetic struggling for the purification of the soul and deep repentance.

According to the typicon of the Lenten Triodion, on the Saturday of the Fifth Week of Great Lent, the Akathist Hymn to the Theotokos is chanted as part of the Matins service.  As usual, His Grace Bishop Luke served the Akathist Hymn along with the brethren of the monastery. 

The feast of the Annunciation and the rubrics on how to serve it are very interesting, since the feast can fall on any number of days during Great Lent and Bright Week, including, howbeit very rarely, on Pascha itself.

On the weekend of April 1-3, the monastery was visited by a pilgrimage of approximately 50 people from the Serbian Orthodox Cathedral of the Holy Resurrection in Chicago, Illinois.  The group was headed by a priest of the cathedral, the Rev. Nikolaj Kostur, a graduate of our Holy Trinity Orthodox Seminary. 

A very good practice of our Church has been to hold clergy conferences a couple of times a year, during which the clergy many have brotherly contact and interaction with each other and the bishops.  Due to the COVID -19 pandemic, this was not possible until this year since 1920. 
           

During the middle of the Great Fast, the Holy Church, wanting to strengthen her faithful in their Lenten struggles, brings out the Life-Giving Cross for the veneration of the faithful.  The service itself in many ways repeats the service of the Exaltation of the Cross in September, both of them drawing their inspiration from the service of Holy Friday, the Passion of the Lord.

The faithful have expressed concern that some recent statements seem to indicate that the Orthodox Christian position on abortion has changed. The Orthodox Church has consistently and unequivocally recognized the full humanity of every person beginning at the moment of conception and, therefore, has always been pro-life, regarding abortion as the murder of another human being. While the society around us may change its views from century to century, the Church can still reiterate the words of the Lord’s Teaching through the Twelve Apostles to the Nations (the “Didache”), which dates to the earliest generations of the Church: “Do not murder a child by abortion or kill a newborn infant” The Church proclaims the love of God to all mankind, with no exception, and, while condemning the practice of abortion, the Church still holds out the offer of mercy and forgiveness to those who have been victims to the deceitful pressures of the world and have made the tragic choice to kill their own children or who have facilitated abortions for those seeking them. 

+ Bishop Luke

It is sometimes asked why does the Orthodox Church celebrate the Sunday of Orthodoxy on the first Sunday of Great Lent.  What does this feast have to do with fasting?

We have just finished the first week of Great Lent for this year.  Hopefully, we have changed to some degree in order to enter more into the spirit of the fast.  Great Lent is supposed to prepare us to celebrate joyfully the feast of the Lord’s Resurrection.  But in a greater way, it is meant to be a school of true Christianity, a time of repentance and redirecting our steps back onto the true path.  With all of the cares of contemporary life, we often get distracted from “the one thing essential.”  However, after participating in the deeply moving services of the first week, having entered into a “retreat” as it were, with ten hours daily of prayer and strict fasting, we hopefully will now spend the rest of the fast concentrated, each according to his strength, in the true meaning of our faith.

1) Archpastoral Epistle to the Clergy and Flock of the Eastern American and Australian-New Zealand Dioceses on Great Lent and on the Events on the Holy Ukrainian Landby Metropolitan Hilarion

2) Metropolitan Onouphry Appeals for Penintential Prayer and End to the "Fratricidal War

The feast of the Meeting of the Lord is a wonderful, great feast which happens just before the solemnity of the beginning of Great Lent.  Its afterfeast’s length depends on when Lent commences.  This year, we have a full afterfeast, since Pascha is relatively late this year.

The feast of the Three Hierarchs, Sts. Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian, and John Chrysostom, is the feast of our Holy Trinity Orthodox Seminary.  More information about this feast can be found on the seminary website and facebook page.

The feast of Theophany comes at the end of the holy day season, called “Sviatki,” or “Holy Days.”  Originally being one feast of the Theophany, or “Appearance of God” in the early centuries of the Church, in the fourth century, the feast of the Nativity became a feast by itself.  The two feasts are like twins in the way they are celebrated.

The monastery is now enjoying and celebrating the feast of our Lord’s Holy Nativity.  The Lord even provided us with seasonable snowy weather.  The brethren have decorated the monastery and seminary with lights and Christmas trees.  The church has been filled with poinsettias.  The choir has had practices to improve the chanting of the many special hymns and melodies.

The Nativity Issue of Pravoslavnaia Rus' is Now Available for Download
 
The fourth and final issue of Holy Trinity Monastery's Russian-language journal Pravoslavnaia Rus' for 2021 may be downloaded as a free PDF directly from the publisher's website.

In this issue:
 
1.     Nativity Epistle of His Eminence Metropolitan Hilarion of Eastern America and New York, First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad.
2.    Archbisop Dimitri of Kherson and Odessa. Homily on the Day of the Nativity of Christ.
3.    On Christian Burial of the Dead.
4.    From the History of the Chinese Ecclesial Mission (Conclusion)
5.    Matushka Elena Perekrestov. Memories of Archimandrite Iov (Kotenko, 1926-2021)
6.    About the private library of Holy Trinity Monastery
7.    About monastic obediences. The Apiary.
 
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Православная Русь is published four times a year and made available free of charge in electronic form. Donations towards the ongoing costs of production are accepted:

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Очередной номер русскоязычного журнала Свято-Троицкого монастыря можно скачать бесплатно на сайте издательства.
 
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1. РОЖДЕСТВЕНСКОЕ ПОСЛАНИЕ Высокопреосвященнейшего ИЛАРИОНА, митрополита Восточно-Американского и Нью-Йоркского, Первоиерарха Русской Зарубежной Церкви
2. Димитрий, Архиепископ Херсонский и Одесский. Слово в день Рождества Христова  
3. О христианском погребении умерших
4. Изъ исторіи Китайской Духовной Миссіи (Окончаніе)
 5. Матушка Елена Перекрестова. Памяти архимандрита  Иова (Котенко) 1926-2021
6. О книжном собрании Свято-Троицкого монастыря
7. О монастырских послушаниях. Пасека
 
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Пожалуйста укажите на Вашем чеке ‘Православная Русь’
 
 

Our fathers established the feast of the Venerable Father Herman of Alaska on December 12 (25th N.S.) in part to provide a pious means of emphasizing that while following the Church Calendar it would be inappropriate to break the Fast by engaging in Christmas celebrations on the Gregorian Calendar. Thus the creation of the annual St Herman’s conferences at this time.

St. Nicholas of Myra is perhaps, after the Mother of God, the most beloved by Russians of all the saints.  Every home traditionally has at least an icon of St. Nicholas besides of the Saviour and the Virgin Mary.

On November 21 (Old Style)/ December 4 (New Style), the Church celebrates one of its twelve main feasts, that of The Entrance of the Theotokos Into the Temple. During Matins, the katavasia of the canon consist of the Irmosoi of the feast of the Holy Nativity.  Thus in this way, the faithful hear for the first time hymns of the upcoming feast.  As we approach the feast of the Nativity of Christ, the Church more and more uses hymns concerning the incarnation of Christ, thus preparing us gradually for the celebration. On this day, His Grace, Bishop Luke, celebrated the Divine Liturgy, along with the monastery clergy.

With the blessing of Bishop Luke of Syracuse, abbot of Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville, NY, staff of Holy Trinity Publications (the monastery’s publishing arm) made a visit to the United Kingdom from October 9 - 21. Since mid-2019, Holy Trinity Publications titles have been widely available in the UK & Europe through Oxbow Books, an Oxford-based book distributor. Among the aims of the trip was to publicize this arrangement and increase the visibility of these books in the UK, in particular the works of some of their recently published British authors.
 

Even though Fr. Job was basically a shut-in for several years, a multitude of people made their way to Holy Trinity Monastery for his funeral from all over the country.  People truly loved this meek and very devout monk who spent 72 years of his life living in our holy abode, laboring for the monastery and his salvation.  I think he would have been truly amazed at the number of people who came to bid him farewell, to this true and faithful servant of our Lord.

When I started visiting the Holy Trinity Monastery and eventually came here to live and study in seminary in the fall of 1980, I quickly came to know the fathers and brethren of the monastery.  All of them, of course, had their individual characteristics.  Fr. Job was one that truly stood out for his humility and tranquility of soul. 

The early morning hours of November 6, 2021, the feast day of the Icon of the Mother of God «Joy of All Who Sorrow», saw the passing of Archimandrite Iov (Kotenko), the oldest monastic of Holy Trinity Monastery, who had spent 72 years within its walls. While liturgy was being celebrated in the monastery cathedral, Father Iov reposed peacefully at the age of 95 after a prolonged illness.

Archimandrite Iov was born on April 26, 1926 in the pious family of Sergei Ivanovich and Olga Dmitrievna Kotenko. In baptism he was named Ivan (John). He was the youngest of three children – the older siblings were named Nicholas and Claudia. Ivan’s childhood and youth were spent in Kharkov. The children wore crosses, and their mother had to send the children away to their grandmother’s house in an outlying village whenever a certain commissar or committee would appear in the city that were likely to demand that the children take off their crosses. Through some miraculous happenstances, all three were able to avoid joining the Communist Pioneer Youth.

The guardian of the Myrrh-Streaming Montreal Icon of the Mother of God of Iveron suffered a martyric death on October 31, 1997.  He is buried in the cemetery of the Holy Trinity Monastery.  Since his burial many have been the pilgrims who have made their way to his grave to honor his memory and to ask his prayers before the throne of God.

On the first of October, the Orthodox Church celebrates the feast of the Protection of the Most Holy Mother of God.  It is especially and solemnly celebrated in the Russian Orthodox Church.  This is due to the fact that the pious Russian people regard the events associated with the feast as the beginning of their salvation, in that the pagans who inhabited what is now Russia and Ukraine were humbled by God in the miracle of the appearance of the Theotokos in the church in Constantinople, showing Her intercession before Her Son and Lord, so that the Christians would be saved and the heathen defeated, when the pagans were set to conquer the capital city of the Byzantine Empire.
 
One of the most precious relics housed in the monastery cathedral is a piece of the cincture, or the girdle of the Mother of God, which is contained in the icon of the Protection, which is brought out and placed in the middle of the church for the veneration by the faithful. 

On this day, it is traditional to commemorate all of the past and present choir directors of the monastery as well as the present day singers in the choir.  May the Lord through the prayers of His Most Blessed Mother inspire them to lead us in prayer.

The monastery is very blessed to have among its many precious relics a piece of the Cross upon which our Saviour Jesus Christ was crucified.  It is contained in a pectoral cross once worn by the ever-memorable Archbishop Averky, a previous abbot of our monastery, when he was an archimandrite in Eastern Europe.  As a bishop, he had the relic of the Cross placed in his pectoral cross, also made of wood, and that cross is used for a couple of the feasts of the Cross, including the Exaltation. 

The first feast of the Church Year is the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos.  This is very apt since her birth is, as the troparion of the feast states, the beginning of the construction of our salvation. 

On the day before this feast, Saturday, a pilgrimage arrived from Hartford, Connecticut, from the ROCOR parish of St. Panteleimon, along with their parish priest, the Very Rev. Dionisii Nalitov.  From its foundation, the monastery has been conceived as a place of pilgrimage to provide spiritual solace for the faithful, so in need of comfort in a difficult world.  We are glad to be able to once again receive pilgrims, and we pray that all those who came here went home renewed and filled with the grace of God.

Between the 11th and 12th of September, His Grace Bishop Luke participated in the festivities for the 800th Anniversary of the birth of Saint Alexander Nevsky at the St. Alexander Nevsky Catrhedral in Howell , NY. For a complete report click here

The first abbot of the Pochaev Lavra in Volynia, Little Russia, was St. Job, who besides being a holy guide of monasticism, was a fervent defender of Orthodoxy in an area besieged by the Roman Catholics.  His zeal was in publishing the printed word.  His struggles in this way were later continued by an offshoot of this monastery, founded in the 1920’s in Slovakia.  Towards the end of World War II, the printing brotherhood of this monastery was forced to flee the onslaught of the Red Army, and most of them eventually found their way to the New World, to our Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville, New York.  Glory be to God, we continue to this day their enlightening work in the printed word.

Our Russian Orthodox Church Abroad has been blessed with the appearance of several myrrh-streaming icons in recent years.  Perhaps due to the grave and frightful circumstances that we find ourselves in for a number of years, the Mother of God desired to show us Her love and care for us sinners, to strengthen us to forebear all that is happening and that which might come to pass.

It was with great joy that the faithful of the Russian Orthodox parish of the Protection of the Mother of God of the city of Rochester, New York, were finally able to have their beautiful church fully consecrated.  This long-awaited day was postponed from last year due to the Covid crisis. 
 
His Grace, Bishop Nicholas of Manhattan, along with His Grace Bishop Luke of Syracuse, Abbot of Holy Trinity Monastery, presided at the consecration and the Divine Liturgy that followed on September 6, 2021. 

The Pochaev Lavra in present day Ukraine, is one of the most venerated holy places of Holy Rus.’  It has had a very difficult and complicated history due to the struggle to maintain Orthodoxy in that part of ancient Rus,’ and is very much connected with the history of our monastery as well as the whole Russian Orthodox Church Abroad.

The traditions and history of the Holy Trinity Monastery are very much connected with the famous Lavra of the Pochaev Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos in Volynia, present-day Ukraine.  Although the monastery was started back in 1930 by Archimandrite Panteleimon, they were joined in 1946 by a group of fourteen monks from the St. Job of Pochaev Monastery in Ladomirovo, Slovakia, who had fled the onslaught of the area by the Red Army and eventually found their new home in Holy Trinity Monastery.  Thus began the intimate connection with the traditions of the Pochaev Lavra, one of the most famous of Russian monasteries.

On August 18/31 the Holy Church celebrates the memory of the holy Martyrs Florus and Laurus.  This was the name’s day of the ever-memorable Metropolitan Laurus and Archimandrite Flor.  Metropolitan Laurus was abbot of the Holy Trinity Monasery for 32 years and was one of the group of monastics from the St. Job of Pochaev Monastery in Slovakia, who immigrated to the United States after World War II to join the brotherhood already established here by Archimandrite Panteleimon.  Fr. Flor was also part of this group.

The feast of the Dormition of the Mother of God has always been celebrated in the monastery with great solemnity.  The Most Holy Theotokos is greatly beloved by all Orthodox Christians and especially by monastics, who look to Her for guidance and aid in their struggles.  In Mount Athos, the “garden” of the Most Holy Virgin, She is considered the abbess of all the monasteries.  In our monastery, we have a thread from Her most sacred belt as well as a miraculous copy of the Pochaev Icon, the mother house, so to speak, of our monastery.

During the Dormition Fast, a strict, two-week fast before the feast of the Falling Asleep of the Most Holy Theotokos, the Holy Church provides its faithful with the joyous feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord, when Jesus Christ ascended Mount Tabor in Galilee with his holy Apostles Peter, James and John and was transfigured before them, being accompanied by the Old Testament holy men, Moses and Elias. 

In the popular tradition of Russian Orthodox people, the feast of the Procession of the Cross, which falls on the first day of the Dormition Fast, this day is called the “First Saviour” feast of August.  Holy Transfiguration is the “Second Saviour,” and the Feast of the Image-Not-Made-By-Hands is the “Third Saviour.”

It is impossible to imagine Orthodoxy in America without the Holy Trinity Monastery.  Not only the monastery, but the whole Orthodox world in the West owes so much to this humble, ascetic who almost single-handedly built what was called the Lavra of the Russian Diaspora by the ever-memorable Metropolitan Anastassy, the second First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad.
 
           

Bishop Luke designated a summer feast for the Convent of the Mother of God, Quick to Hear.  And so on July 24th the sisters celebrated their first annual feast for St Olga, Princess of Russia.

ST PETERSBURG, RUSSIA – The Russian History Museum is honored to loan fifty rare objects to Russia’s Tsarskoe Selo Museum-Preserve in St. Petersburg, for a new exhibition on view July 23 – October 18, 2021. At the Sovereign’s Stirrup («При государеве стремени. Конные эскорты России с XVI века и до наших дней») presents the history of mounted military units that escorted Russia’s tsars and emperors. A significant part of the exhibition is dedicated to the history of His Imperial Majesty’s Own Escort, the elite Cossack Guards unit that served as the emperor’s personal detail from the early 19th century until the Russian Revolution.

For more information click here.

July 29 @ 6:00pm - 7:00pm EDT

An exclusive online conversation with Peter Sarandinaki, President of SEARCH Foundation

In July of 1918, fourteen members of the Romanov family were murdered at Ekaterinburg and at Alapayevsk. On February 7th, 1919, Nikolai Sokolov began his investigation into the murder of the Imperial Family, and from May to July of 1919 he collected forensic evidence that to this day forms our understanding of what happened in those final days and hours.

For more information click here

Today, on July 12 (NS), the feast of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul, the monastery and seminary celebrated the 40th anniversary of its superior and rector to the priesthood.  This feast is always celebrated with great solemnity in the monastery for what these apostles signify for the Church, but this year was very special.

On the eve of Holy Spirit Day, Sunday afternoon, Small Compline was served before supper with the reading of the Canon to the Holy Spirit.  After supper, Matins was served, in preparation for the altar feast of the monastery cathedral.

On June 20, the great feast of Pentecost was celebrated at Holy Trinity Monastery with the usual solemnity.  Last year, due to the Covid pandemic, the monastery celebrated this feast with much less pomp, although with great joy.

On the Saturday before Pentecost the Church has establised a general commemoration of the departed. 

When Pascha comes at a later date, the graduation celebration is made even more festive with the singing of “Christ is Risen…”  So it was this year; the 73rd commencement was solemnly celebrated together with Paschal hymns of joy.

His Eminence, Archbishop Gabriel of Montreal and Canada was invited and willingly came to participate in his alma mater’s celebration.  Vladyka has always been a great support of the monastery and seminary.

 The Vigil was celebrated accompanied by the chanting of the seminary-monastery choir, under the direction of its regent, Deacon Nicholas Kotar.  The divine liturgy on Sunday concelebrated by Archbishop Gabriel and the rector of the Holy Trinity Orthodox Seminary, His Grace, Bishop Luke.  During the Sixth Hour, seminarian Peter James was tonsured a reader.  He is in the Graduate of Divinity Program of the seminary.  We wish him, his wife, Lucina and their baby daughter, Sophia, good health and salvation.

 After the consecration of the Holy Gifts, Bishop Luke ordained Monk Subdeacon Theodore (Stanway) the be a hierodeacon.  Fr. Theodore graduated today with a Sumna com Laude from the Master of Divinity, recently established in the seminary.  Fr. Theodore, besides working in the bookstore, also bakes bread and prosphora among other various obediences.

 At 2PM there was a procession of seminary faculty to the cathedral of the monastery to commence a Thanksgiving Moleben for the end of the school year. 
 For further details about the graduation service, please visit our seminary website:  www.hts.edu

On May 23, the Sunday of the Paralytic Bishop Luke traveled to St. Petersburg, Florida to represent the Metropolitan at our parish of St Andrew the General.

 On Saturday morning Bishop Luke attended the Divine Liturgy in honor of the translation of the relics of St Nicholas. Every Saturday a newly formed missionary community meets at the parish for Liturgy in English. Father Stephen Zaremba, the head of the mission, served the Liturgy and asked Bishop Luke to speak to the community afterwards about the Monastery, the Seminary and answer questions.

The Russian Orthodox Church celebrates on the Tuesday after Bright Week a special commemoration of all of those reposed in the Lord, and pannikhidas are served for the first time after Pascha.  In actuality, due to the present culture in which we live and due to work requirements, pannikhidas are served on St. Thomas Sunday, but here in the monastery, a universal pannikhida is served on Radonitsa itself. 

Pascha is always served with great joy in the monastery.  One time, someone described Pascha in one of our great cathedrals as being very glorious and solemn, whereas Pascha in the monastery is warm and very moving.  It seems to me that this is due to the long and very serious atmosphere in the monastery during Great Lent, with the daily and long, grace-filled Lenten services impart a treasure-house of divine grace to all those who are struggling in the monastery.

Matins for Holy and Great Saturday, commonly known as “The Burial Service,” is served at 2 AM in the monastery, unlike as in parishes, for which this time according to the Church’s typicon, is very impractical.  The service starts with the Praises, which are interspersed with verses from the 17th Kathisma of the Psalter.  The serving clergy take turns reading the praises while the choir chants the kathisma verses.   Later on, the Canon of Holy and Great Saturday is sung and read before the Tomb of the Lord, which is the center of all liturgical activity for the services of Holy Saturday.

One of the most moving services of Passion Week is the matins service of Holy Friday, during which there are twelve readings from the four Gospels concerning our Lord’s salvific Passion.  As is traditional, there was a ringing of a large bell at the end of each Gospel reading, according to the number of the reading.  At the end of the twelfth reading there was a light trezvon, symbolizing that the Lord’s salvific feat on the Cross was finished. 

“Hosanna in the highest.  Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord,” exclaimed the children of Israel, as our Lord proceeded into the Holy City, surrounded by many people who thought that he had come to overthrow the Romans.  This after it was widely reported about how He had raised Lazarus from the dead.
 

The feast of the Annunciation is celebrated differently every year, depending on what day it falls during Great Lent of Bright Week.  Neither Great Lent nor Bright Week disappears on this great feast of the Mother of God, and a unique way enhances the feast.
 

After the first week of Great Lent, one of strict fasting and long and compunctionate services, the monastery celebrated the Sunday of Orthodoxy, the triumph over the heresy of iconoclasm.  The Divine Liturgy on Sunday was presided over by His Grace, Bishop Luke of Syracuse and abbot of the Holy Trinity Monastery as well as rector of the Holy Trinity Seminary.  Vladyka was co-served by the monastery clergy.  During the Small Entrance, Igumen Theophylact was raised to the rank of archimandrite by Vladyka.

At 3PM on Sunday, March 14, after the usual hierarchal Divine Liturgy, the brethren of the monastery along with the seminarians and gathered for Great Vespers, which started as a hierarchal service with the formal meeting of our abbot, His Grace, Bishop Luke, and his vesting.

            On February 2/15 the Holy Church celebrates the feast of the Meeting of the Lord.  In the Russian Church this feast is considered a feast of the Mother of God, even though it has several aspects of a feast of the Lord.  Another interesting detail of this feast is that the afterfeast can be either a full week, such as happens this year, due to the late date of Pascha, or it can be non-existent if Pascha falls on the earliest day possible.  The rubrics are very extensive to cover all the possibilities of celebrating this feast due to its proximity to the Lenten Triodion.

   The feast of the Three Hierarchs, Our Holy Fathers, Basil the Great, Gregory the Great, and John Chrysostom, is the feast day of the Holy Trinity Orthodox Seminary.  This year, the seminary was blessed to have the presence and service of three hierarchs!  Archbishop Gabriel of Montreal and Canada, Bishop Nicholas of Manhattan, and our own Bishop Luke of Syracuse, presided at the festive services.

 
            The feast of Theophany is the culmination of the church festal period known as “The Holy Days,” in the Russian Orthodox Church, which commences with the feast of the Lord’s Nativity.  During this period, there are no full prostrations in church and no fasting from animal products. 

            The monastery has always celebrated the three major feasts of the Church calendar in complete fulfillment of the Church typicon, that is, with festal services for three days.  This includes the feasts of Nativity, Pascha and Pentecost.  In this way, there is an atmosphere of spiritual joy which pervades the monastery.  Despite the current difficulties, the monastery once again was able to fulfill this if even with somewhat more simplicity this year.

On November 21 (Old Style)/ December 4 (New Style), the Church celebrates one its twelves main feasts. During Matins, the katavasia of the canon consist of the Irmosoi of the feast of the Holy Nativity.  Thus in this way, the faithful hear for the first time, hymns of the upcoming feast.  As we approach the feast, the Church more and more reveals to us hymns from the service of Nativiy, thus preparing us gradually for the celebration.
 
            On this day, His Grace, Bishop Luke, celebrated the Divine Liturgy, along with the monastery clergy.

Due to the COVID crisis, the monastery and seminary, which originally had planned very festive commemorations of several jubilees this year, has had to greatly diminish the original plans.  So it was that on November 26, 2020, which was also Thanksgiving Day in the United States, the monastery commemorated the 70th anniversary of the consecration of the cathedral of the Holy Trinity Monastery. 
 

The third issue of Holy Trinity Monastery's Russian-language journal Pravoslavnaia Rus' for 2020 may be downloaded as a free PDF directly from the publisher's website.
 
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1. Диакон Андрей Псарев. Слово на Праздник Преображения Господня
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Слово в день Рождества Пресвятой Богородицы 8 сентября
7. Личные документы священнослужителей в фондах архива Свято-Троицкой духовной Семинарии в Джорданвилле. Послужной список протоиерея Василия Шапошникова.
8. Храм на берегу Волги материалы к истории Петропавловской церкви  в селе Стрелка. Къ 180-летию основания
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On October 18 (31 N.S.), the Church commemorates the memory of the holy Apostle and Evangelist Luke. This is the Saint’s Day of our superior and rector, His Grace Bishop of Syracuse.  As is traditional, Vladyka served the divine liturgy at 6 AM, together with the clergy of the monastery as well as some guest clergy.  A short moleben was served at the end of the liturgy, offering prayers for our Vladyka.  All those attending the service wished Vladyka good health and God’s strength in his church obediences.
 

On October 14 (New Calendar), the Russian Orthodox Church solemnly celebrates the feast of the Protection of the Most Holy Theotokos, which commemorates the vision of the Holy Virgin in the church of Blachernae, in the mid-10th century, during an All-Night Vigil, during which the faithful were imploring the aid of the Mother of God during a siege from pagan tribes of the ancestors of the Russians. 

The weekend of October 10 and 11, the Kursk Icon was present in the monastery, having been brought here by His Grace, Bishop Nicholas of Manhattan, for the comfort of the monastery and the seminary, as well as the neighbors, for whom the monastery is their spiritual home.  On Saturday, after lunch, the icon was taken around to bless all of the rooms of the monastery as well as the seminary dormitory.  For some of our new seminarians, this was the first time that they had the opportunity to venerate in person this ancient holy relic of the Russian Orthodox Church.

The monastery has an immense blessing in having in its possession innumerable relics of saints.  One of our most treasured relics is a piece of the Honorable and Life-Giving Cross of the Lord.  It is set in a beautifully carved, wooden archimandrite’s cross which belonged to the ever-memorable Archbishop Averky, when he was an archimandrite in the Carpathian mountains area of north-western Hungary, before World War II.  Eventually, Vladyka used his cross for the setting of the wondrous relic, which itself was placed in a larger Maltese shaped cross, and which is used in the monastery for feasts of the Cross, especially the Exaltation of the Cross.

Although the feast of the Beheading of St. John the Baptist is not one of the twelves great feasts of the Orthodox Church, nevertheless it is considered a great feast, as the Baptist was called by the Lord the greatest of men who had every been born.  The feast commemorates several things.  First of all, it is a day of great sorrow, that the holiest of men was put to death, not due to any fault of his won, but due to lust and envy.  Also it signifies the death of a man who connected the Old Testament with the New.  He himself stated that he had to become smaller while Christ would become greater.

Due to the COVID-19 crisis, for the first time in memory, the monastery did not have its annual Labor Day weekend celebration of the memory of St. Job of Pochaev and the Pochaev Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos.  Due to this, the Pochaev Icon was not taken to the cemetery church of the Dormition on the feast of the Dormition as has been the usual custom, to be brought back in procession on Saturday of the Labor Day weekend. 
 

The feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos has always been celebrated with great solemnity in the monastery.  Traditionally, it has been tied into our St. Job of Pochaev Pilgrimages on Labor Day weekend, and even if the afterfeast of the Dormition ended before Labor Day weekend, we would still keep blue vestments and sing hymns of the Dormition together with the Pochaev Icon and St. Job.
 
           

The Holy Trinity Monastery has renewed the practice of serving the Lamentations and Burial of the Most Holy Theotokos in our monastery.  Forty years ago, the English language mission of the monastery, served by Hieromonk Ioannikiy and then later the late Archpriest Laurence Girard served this service in English at the conclusion of the regular All-Night Vigil in the cathedral of the monastery.  After a few years, unfortunately, the practice stopped.
 

In 2011 Holy Trinity Monastery began making 100% Pure Beeswax Candles. Our standard has been since the begiining not to mix any chemicals or parrafin in the wax. Over the years we have been gradually increasing our production and variety of candles available. In 2019 the candle factory was expanded to better support the candle making operation. We hope by the end of 2021 to further exand the candle factory bringing in new equipment. There are many areas that need to be worked on in terms of upgrading electricity, bringing water to the building and adding new equipment. We ask for your continued support to be able to continue this work. You may purchase our candles here. We are now also accepting Amazon Pay. 

In 2014 the Monastery Apiary suffered major damage due to a fire. Since that time a new building has been built to house the workshop for processing honey and every year more and more beehives are been added. Currenly a building is being prepapred made out of straw walls to house the beehives during the winter. We hope to soon be able to offer our honey products online. Asking for prayers and support to continue this work. 

In January 2020 the ceiling of the Monastery Refectory was refinished because over the years much damage was done to the ceiling from various leaks due to plumbing problems. 

Holy Trinity Monastery Bookstore  is now Holy Trinity Church Supplies Store. In the past eight months we have been adding many more titles to our English and Russian books collection. In addition we are beginning to carry various church supplies for use in church and home as well as ecclesiastical clothing and vestments. The need arose for more space to stock all the items. The upper level store now houses all liturgical items, new and featured English and Russian books, English books and food items. The Lower Store houses all Russian books, vestments and ecclesiastical clothing. We hope in time to expand our range of products. We ask for your prayers and support.  

The roof of the main office and residence building was in great need of repair. In several places the shingle roof had rotted and there was water damage in several areas. An appeal was issued in the fall of 2019 as the Monastery had decided to replace the shingle roof with a metal roof with a guarantee that this would last for many years. However the Monastery could not cover the $150, 000.00 price tag and the faithful overwhelmingly answered the appeal with generous donations to cover the expense of this project. The work began in the fall of 2019 and was interrupted by the winter  climate. Thankfully due  to the phased  opening up of the economy in New York  State in May of this year the work continued until the end of July. We thank you for all your generous support so that this necessary work could be carried out to preserve our home. The Monastery has many repair needs but as our Abbot stated that without  a roof over the main monastery building we could not continue our mission.

The roof of the  chapel  of Saint John of Kronstadt and Saint John of Rila  was in great need of repair. It  was built through the labors of a bulgarian refugee Dimitri Blachev who was taken into the  monastery by Vladyka Laurus back in the 1970s. Dimitri after laboring here for many years decided it was time to leave and in gratitude to the Monastery he built this chapel in typical balkan style. The roof needed to be replaced as it was falling in and the beautiful iconography inside was in danger of being destroyed. Taking advantage of the roofers who were in the monastery replacing the roof of the main residence and office building it was decided to go ahead and replace the roof with a wood shingle roof. 

There are antecedents of the Orthodox feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord in the Old Testament feast of the harvest.  For this reason, it is the tradition to bless the first fruits on this feast which comes towards the end of the summer, at least in the northern hemisphere.  Such was the influence of Orthodoxy on the common people in old Russia, that pious Christians would not eat any fruit until it had been blessed on this feast.  In our world of supermarkets and globalization, when fruit can be purchased at any time of year, this has lost meaning among most people. 

            The Church year has four fasting periods, or periods of time of abstention from dairy products and all other animal products.  Occasionally fish or seafood is allowed, depending on the strictness of the fast.
 
            

The clergy and parishioners of the Church of the Holy Great-Martyr and Healer Panteleimon in Hartford, CT recently celebrated their patronal feast day. Bishop Luke of Syracuse, vicar of the Eastern American Diocese, came to share in the joy of the feast. Praying alongside the hierarch on Saturday, August 8, at All-Night Vigil and on Sunday, August 9, at Divine Liturgy were parish rector Dionysy Nalitov and Protodeacon Peter Markevich (cleric of Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville, NY, accompanying His Grace).

Due to water damage and the humid climate the monastery refectory which has beautiful walls painited with frescoes was in great need of restoration in certain areas. The services of Ekaterina Piskareva were contracted and a a few weeks of labor with her expertise the frescoes were restored to their original beauty. 

On July 28 (N.S.), the feast of Equal-to-the-Apostles, Grand Prince Vladimir, His Grace, Bishop Luke, our abbot, presided at the hierarchal liturgy.  During the Liturgy, after the consecration of the Holy Gifts, Vladyka ordained to the deaconate, Subdeacon Paul Siewers, from the ROCOR mission of St. John of Shanghai and San Francisco in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania.  Fr. Deacon Paul then remained in the monastery for two weeks to practice, serving every day with the monastery clergy.
 

Since its inception as a feast in the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad, after their canonization by the Church, the memory of the Royal Martyrs of Russia, has been solemnly kept by the monastery.
 

OPEN LETTER
to
The Honourable Gavin Newsom, Governor of California
from
His Eminence Kyrill Archbishop of San Francisco and Western America
in light of the decree issued by the Governor of California
that forbids choral singing in churches.

Your Excellency,

I hereby express my protest against the recent prohibition of liturgical singing in houses of worship, which is an infringement of the rights and religious freedoms of the clergy and faithful of the Western American Diocese of the Russian Diaspora, the other Local Orthodox Churches, performing their ministry in this state, as well as other religious bodies.

On the feast of Saints Peter and Paul, July 12 (N.S.), which also was a Sunday this year, the monastery brotherhood had the joy of the tonsure to the sub deaconate of one of our own, Monk Paisios.  He was tonsured during the Hours by our abbot, His Grace, Bishop Luke. 
 

If you would like us to light candles at our divine services please click here.

In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
 
Dear Brothers!
 
Today, God lies in the tomb, not as one dead, but as one resting from the completion of a great work. In the silence of this great and holy day, Our Lord keeps His Sabbath, having rendered a new creation by the work of His mighty hands.
 

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
 
Holy is the Lord our God!
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal have mercy on us!
 
These and many other prayers and sacred writings characterize God as holy and the source of holiness.
 
The salvific struggle of the Son of God is completed, “In the grave bodily, but in Hades with Thy soul as God; in Paradise with the thief, and on the throne with the Father and the Spirit wast Thou Who fillest all things, O Christ the Inexpressible.”
 
Time and place disappear in the Grace-filled experience of the Body of Christ, the Church and the life of Orthodox Christians. However, God choose to be born in the flesh and to truly suffer and die so that He could work out our salvation though things of this world, beginning with His flesh and Blood and continuing to sanctify us through everything the Church offers us. He beckons us to receive into our bodies, to venerate, to touch the shroud before us, the incense we breathe, holy water, blessed salt, sanctified palms and pussy willows, myrrh from a streaming icon, our personal prayers, the sign of the cross, the struggle for virtue, the battle with sin, the endless invisible and visible means by which our Lord desires to commune with us and make us holy.
 
Dearly beloved  brothers and sisters, piety is Orthodoxy, holiness in life, in everyday life where we commune with the Holy Spirit, Who is the Giver of Life, not death. Beware lest we fall into a carnal purely natural worldly understanding of these mysteries, which God has ordained, for our salvation. Empty religious forms will not satisfy our spirit and we will then seek pleasure and satisfaction in the passions, in endless worldly distractions, neo-idol worship. Be careful not to shake the simple hearted faith of those little ones among us by disinfecting the sacred, the Lord warns us about this.  Yes it requires unshakable faith to move mountains, but our Creator tells us it is indeed possible. As we continue to repent, to grow in Christ, let us pray earnestly to God to forgive us for our weak faith, that He ever increase our faith so that we might put away sin, triviality, carnal thinking of the natural man, and enter into that which we are called, a life in the Holy Spirit, a spiritual life, and exclaim with St. David, “Take not Thy Holy Spirit from me but give me the Joy of Thy salvation!”

Amen.
 

 
 

Dear members of Holy Trinity Monastery Community!

Based on the inspiration of the Eldress Agatha below, considering the difficulty of gathering at this time and having consulted with the fathers, the following suggestion is offered for blessing of Paschal baskets.

The first week of Great Lent finally arrived, after a time of Holy Nativity and Theophany celebrations with the blessing of houses, combined with the preparatory weeks before Lent.
 
On Sunday, March 1st, at 3PM, the large bell toned very solemnly as the brethren, seminarians, and pilgrims greeted His Grace, Vladyka Luke, who was then vested solemnly before the beginning of 9th Hours, followed by Great Vespers, served together with the monastery clergy.

On Sunday, March 8, the first Sunday of Great Lent, the Holy Church commemorates the triumph of Orthodoxy when the veneration of the holy icons was confirmed by the 7th Ecumenical Council.  In Russia, it has been traditional in cathedrals to include with the service the so-called Anathema service.  This service consists of reiterating the traditional dogmas of the Orthodox faith concerning the Orthodox belief in the Holy Trinity and the dual nature of Our Lord Jesus Christ.

The feast of the Three Hierarchs traditionally is the feast day of Orthodox theological seminaries, and so it is for our Holy Trinity Orthodox Seminary.  For this feast day, our seminary is often visited by other hierarchs of our Russian Orthodox Church Abroad, as it was this year, which made the feast even more solemn.

The feast of Theophany or Baptism of the Lord comes at the end of the so-called “Sviatsi,” or “Holy Days.” Following the typicon the Royal Hours were served on Friday morning with no liturgy, since the feast fell on Sunday.  Saturday morning, on the Eve of Theophany, His Grace Bishop Luke served the divine liturgy of St. John Chrysostom, which was followed immediately by Great Vespers for the feast of Theophany.  This itself was immediately followed by a Great Blessing of Water in the monastery bell tower chapel.  As is the monastery custom, one meal, strictly Lenten, was served after all the monastery and seminary quarters had been blessed with holy water.

Glory to God, the feast of the Holy Nativity of Our Lord and Saviour was celebrated with the usual solemnity and joy.  For this we must be thankful to God and the efforts of the brethren and seminarians, who with diligence carried out all the usual preparations for the feast, by singing and reading in kleros, the preparation of the meals, the thorough cleaning of all the monastery and seminary buildings, and the reception and care of our many pilgrims.

Since today was a feast of the Mother of God, in the midst of the Nativity Fast, when the vestments are read, the church was filled with blue vestments In honor of the Most Holy Virgin. 

            St. Nicholas is perhaps the most beloved of all saints by Russians.  Every pious home has at least icons of the Savior, the Mother of God, and also of St. Nicholas.   In the monastery we had the usual All-Night Vigil, and His Grace Bishop Luke presided at the Divine Liturgy on the day itself. 
 
            The church was filled with the faithful.  At the end of the service, the monastery cathedral Protodeacon Victor Lochmatow was presented with a Synodal Grammota by Bishop Luke in recognition of his 45 years anniversary of being ordained a deacon on this feast.  The choir sang Many Years for him and all of her many Name’s Day people. 
 
            Fr. Victor besides being a long-time deacon has also taught Russian Literature in the seminary for many years.  He is one of the original “summer boys,” and was the secretary and helper of Metropolitan Laurus for all of his episcopate, that is, for over 40 years.  Many years, dear Fr. Victor.

Despite it being a work day, many of our  neighbors attended the Divine Liturgy on this blessed feast, officiated by Bishop Luke and concelebrated by the monastery clergy.  As we like to say, it is the feast of all of our guardian angels.

This feast is also the anniversary of the repose of the ever-memorable Metropolitan Philaret, the third First-Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, a prolific sermonizer and known throughout the Orthodox world for his stance against ecumenism. 

On October 18/31 the Holy Church commemorates the memory of the Holy Apostle and Evangelist Luke.  This is the Name’s Day of our abbot, His Grace, Bishop Luke, who is also the rector of our Holy Trinity Seminary.  This year, Vladyka celebrated his first Name’s Day as a bishop.  With great joy, the brotherhood, seminary teachers and students and many neighbors and pilgrims came together to celebrate this feast day together with our dear bishop.

As has been their custom since the horrific death of Brother Jose Munoz in, the guardian of the Montreal Iveron Myrrh-Streaming Icon in 1997, the cathedral parish of St. John the Baptist of Washington, D.C. has organized an annual pilgrimage to the Holy Trinity Monastery, in whose cemetery repose the earthly remains of Brother Jose.  Led by Archpriest Victor Potapov and other clergy, a busload of pilgrims arrived on Saturday afternoon, October 26th, whereupon a pannikhida was served at Brother Jose’s gravesite.  Many other pilgrims, neighbors as well as monastery brethren and seminarians joined in remembering Brother Jose.

From time to time the Eastern American and New York Diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia has held its conferences within the walls of the Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville, New York.  So it was on October 22-23, on our hallowed grounds, approximately 100 priests and deacons gathered with Metropolitan Hilarion, our First Hierarch and his two vicar bishops, Bishop Nicholas and Bishop Luke, along with Archbishop Gabriel of Montreal and Canada and his clergy, and clergy of the Moscow Patriarchate. 

The feast of the Exaltation of the Life-Giving Cross is very solemnly celebrated in the monastery, which is blessed to have a small piece of the True Cross.  This is contained in a decorated pectoral cross which once belonged to Archbishop Averky, a well-known writer and confessor of the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad and a previous abbot of our monastery and rector of the Holy Trinity Orthodox Seminary, located in the monastery.

We are glad to announce that we have completed the renovation of our incense workshop. We are now currently making incense and in the very  near future we will be adding our initial line of aromas of  Jordanville Incense to our Church Supplies Site. 

The renovation work was extensive and expensive and we please ask for your continued support and prayers that we may work and be succesful in  producing high quality incense. We hope to be able to produce an organic line of incence in the near future with no chemical additives.

If you would like to help us grow our incense making endeavor you may do so in the following ways:

1) We are currently looking for an engineering machinist who would be able to create a custom made machine to cut incense.

2) We would welcome anyone with experience in using organic oil bases and combining them with essential oil aromas.

3) We would be grateful for any material support to help us purchase raw materials of frankincense and high quality aromas. This in turn will help the monastics continue working to support the needs of the Monastery.

4) Finally if you have any suggestions and recommendations on how we can improve our current products please feel free to write to us at incense.jordanville@gmail.com

ONLINE DONATIONS MAY BE MADE HERE

With God's help the path to  the St. Seraphim chapel was completed. For many years water was collecting on the surface of the old path and entering the chapel. The area under the new path was water proofed, cement poured on top at a slight angle so as to have water escaping safely from the area of the chapel.

Our cemetery has over 3000 graves and both the Monastery and Seminary grounds need a good Lawnmower. The lawnmower is needed to be better able to maintain the grounds for our dearly departed, as well as for the monastic and seminary grounds. This fundraiser will go towards the purchase of a Hustler Riding Lawnmower.

Update: August 14, 2019 by Archim. Nektarios Harding
On behalf of Bishop Luke of Syracuse, I want to thank all our donors! We have exceeded our goal of 4500.00!!
God bless each and every one of you who donated to this campaign!

Labor Day weekend in the United States, besides being a time to commemorate all those who work hard in the industry of our country, is traditionally considered the last weekend of the summer season, a time when often people have their last vacation time and have barbeques and other festivities.

August 18/31, 2019, the day of the commemoration of the Holy Martyrs Florus and Laurus, is the Saint’s Day of our ever-memorable Metropolitan Laurus and Archimandrite Flor.  For this reason, a pannikhida was served after lunch by His Grace, Bishop Luke, abbot of our monastery, joined by the monastery clergy, neighbors and pilgrims, who were already arriving for the Labor Day weekend festivities. 

Also commemorated were Hierodeacon Andrei, a reposed member of our brotherhood and also Subdeacon Basil Anderson, a former seminarian, who tragically died in a home accident many years ago, and also the newly reposed Ludmilla Popow, mother-in-law of our Protodeacon Victor Lochmatow.

May the Lord grant them all eternal memory!

On Monday evening, the eve of the feast of the Tikhvin Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos, July 8 (N.S.), Bishop Luke, our abbot, performed two more tonsures.  Traditionally, in our monastery, tonsures are done during Great Lent. However, any Lenten period is appropriate for tonsures.  

This year, the monastery’s celebration of its altar feast day of the Holy Spirit was especially solemn, in large part due to the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the ordination of Protodeacon Joseph Jarostchuk to the deaconate.  His family organized a reception in his honor after the feast day luncheon. This drew even more than the usual number of pilgrims, especially from Albany and Boston, where Father has many relatives.

As is usual, the monastery celebrated Pentecost with great solemnity.  In past years, since the repose of the ever-memorable Metropolitan Laurus, we had to request the presence of a visiting bishop to head up our services, but this year, for the first time, our very own Bishop Luke presided at the services on Pentecost.  

Dear Supporters & Friends,

Christ is in our Midst!

Since its humble beginnings 90 years ago, Holy Trinity Monastery is the largest monastery of ROCOR, and an important spiritual centre for those seeking fulfillment in the religious life. Throughout those years, it is people like you who share the vision of our forefathers of Blessed memory, that have supported and maintained the Monastery.

On May 21 (New Calendar), on the feast of the Apostle and Evangelist John the Theologian, in the 103rd year of his life, the eldest inhabitant of the Holy Trinity Monastery, Lev Ivanovich Pawlinets, reposed quietly in hospital after a brief illness.

https://eadiocese.org/news_190516_3.html

On Pascha day, at 3PM, the joyful Paschal service of Vespers was served.  This is already vespers for Bright Monday. A distinguishing feature of this service is the reading of the Gospel by the bishop, towards the people, while the priests are gathered below the amvon, with deacons supporting the Gospel.

It has been commented that in a certain cathedral of our Russian Church Abroad Pascha is quite glorious, but in the monastery it shines forth with great warmth, if somewhat more humble.  Perhaps this is due to the concentrated prayer and relative ascetic labors of conducting the full typicon of Great Lenten services with the ensuing atmosphere of great spiritual concentration and repentance.  Even so, the monastery services on Pascha and Bright Week are very joyous and for Pascha the singing is quite glorious and joyful.

On April 28, 2019, the first day of Holy Pascha, His Eminence, Archbishop Alypy, reposed in the Lord.  Thus ended the heavy cross born by Vladyka for many years, after a tragic accident, after which he became an invalid. 

After six weeks of Great Lent, followed by the celebration of Lazarus Saturday and Palm Sunday, the monastery entered upon Holy Week.  This is perhaps the most solemn period of time in the monastery of the whole year. There are spiritually uplifting services throughout the day as we move forward to the Lord’s Passion.  

On April 18, Thursday of the 6th Week of Great Lent, in the evening after Great Compline, our abbot, Bishop Luke of Syracuse, performed the mystery of the tonsure to the Little Schema.  This was truly a feast of the monastery as three of our rassaphore monks were tonsured into the angelic state.

It has become traditional for the monastery to celebrate the mystery of Holy Unction on Tuesday of the 6th Week of Great Lent.  And so, many people gathered at the monastery for this service, many arriving from neighboring parishes besides the members of our community and our neighbors. 

The first attempt at compiling an annotated database of the departed who are buried in the cemeteries of Holy Trinity Monastery was carried out in 1996 by an enthusiastic amateur historian from Michigan, Andrei Alekseevich Lyubimov. The results of his research were published in the journal Letopis’ Russkogo zarhubezh’ia (no. 2, 1996 and no. 3 for 1997). In 2005, Hieromonk Evtikhii (Dovganiuk) submitted to Holy Trinity Orthodox Theological Seminary his dissertation, A Draft of a Guidebook for the Necropolis of Holy Trinity Monastery (in Russian). The Holy Trinity seminarian, Vladimir Davydov, developed Fr. Evitikhii’s work, presenting his thesis to Holy Trinity Seminary in 2009. In 2012-14, Andrei A. Lyubimov resumed his cataloguing of the cemeteries, having arrived in Jordanville at the invitation of the Foundation of Russian History, headed by the seminary' deaan Archpirest Vladimir von Tsurikov. In 2015, the results of A. Lyubimov’s and Fr. Vladimir von Tsurikovs' collaboration came out of the Moscow press, Staraia Basmannaia, under the title, Dzhordanvil’skii nekropol’. Meanwhile, in 2012, the internet site, Historical Studies of the Russian Church Abroad, began to video-record numerous commentaries made in Russian by Hieromonk Roman (Krassovsky) and Protodeacon Viktor Lochmatow at selected graves of the Jordanville cemeteries. However, the seminary professor and editor of the website, Deacon Andrei Psarev, did not have the resources for posting annotated video materials on the website. The situation changed for the better in October 2018, when the Canadian foundation, Russkaia Dusha (The Russian Soul), allocated a grant for placing video materials on the website, Historical Studies of the Russian Church Abroad. Each video is accompanied by a reference to the book, Dzhordanvil’skii nekropol’ and can be viewed here: http://www.rocorstudies.org/ jordanville/

For a number of years, during Great Lent, the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts of St. James, the Brother of the Lord, has been celebrated.  This was instituted by our abbot, Archimandrite Luke, now Bishop Luke. As he has done every year, he celebrated this liturgy for the spiritual edification of the brethren and the faithful and to strengthen our ties with the early Church.  This is especially interesting for our seminarians, who never had witnessed this type of liturgy.

As has become a fixed tradition in the monastery, many Serbian pilgrims, mainly from New York, but also from other parts, joined the brotherhood in celebrating the Veneration of the Life-Giving Cross of the Lord on the 3rd Sunday of Great Lent.  For us it is a great joy to share this mid-Lenten commemoration with our brethren in the faith.  

In Orthodox understanding, Great Lent is called the “spring of the soul.”  So once again, our All-Merciful Lord has granted us to arrive at this soul-saving time of the Church year.  With the passing of the first week, the monastery-seminary community has whole-heartedly turned its heart over to this special time of repentance and fasting with prayer.

This year, the feast of the Meeting of the Lord was special in that it was the first festal, pontifical liturgy served by His Grace, the newly consecrated Bishop Luke, abbot of our monastery.  Concelebrating with him were the monastery and seminary clergy.

On February 12, 2019, the seminary feast of the Three Hierarchs, a wondrous and historic event took place in the life of the monastery.  Our beloved abbot, Archimandrite Luke was consecrated to the episcopacy. Having been elected our abbot in May of 2008 to succeed the ever-memorable Metropolitan Laurus, the Synod of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad, in their December 2018 session, elected Fr. Luke to become Bishop of Syracuse.  He will continue to be the abbot of the Holy Trinity Monastery as well as rector of the Holy Trinity Seminary.

The feast of the Theophany of the Lord is in many ways a twin of the feast of the Nativity.  Originally it was all one feast, the Theophany, with the emphasis put on the appearance of the Lord to the world for His ministry.  Only later did the feast split into two as it were, in order to combat the pagan feast of the winter solstice.

With great spiritual joy, the brotherhood, seminarians, and all those who share in the life of the Holy Trinity Monastery and Holy Trinity Seminary, have welcomed once again the great feast of the Lord’s Nativity.  Having completed the 40-day fast, and having participated in the mystery of Confession, we joyfully greet the Christ Child, praising Him with song and prayer.

The great feast of the Entry of the Most Holy Theotokos Into the Temple was celebrated at the monastery with the usual solemnity that characterizes our divine services.  We were graced with what has become almost traditional, the presence of His Grace Bishop Nicholas of Manhattan for the All-Night Vigil. Vladyka is usually invited to serve in our parish in Syracuse, and so he breaks up his journey there from New York by staying in the monastery for the evening.  

On the weekend of November 3-4, 2018, the parish of St. John the Baptist in Washington, D.C. organized once again their annual pilgrimage to the monastery to honor the memory of Brother Jose Munoz, the ever-memorabel guardian of the Myrrh-Streaming icon of the Iveron Icon of the Mother of God.   As is known, Brother Jose was murdered on October 31, 1997, and the icon was “lost,” its location being unknown until this day. Through God’s mercy, a copy of the icon from Hawaii streams great quantities of myrrh and for the past number of years has been taken around many Orthodox parishes around this country and others, for the spiritual consolation of the faithful.  And so, this weekend, also the icon was brought here by Fr. Athanasius Kone, our parish priest in Honolulu.

On September 26th the usual vigil for the great feast of the Exaltation of the Lord was served with its highlight being the service of the Exaltation or Elevation of the Cross.  Usually this service is performed by bishops in their cathedrals, but it can also be done by archimandrites.

From the Western American Diocese:

To My Eminent Brother Archpastors, Honorable Fathers, Dear Brothers and Sisters:

The 20th century was a difficult time for Orthodox Christians on the territory of the Russian Empire, which became the USSR after the Great War, the October Revolution and Civil War. But the more the Church endured persecution, the brighter the lanterns of faith and piety shone in the Russian land. From the Tsar and the members of the Royal Family close to him in spirit, from archpastors and simple monastics, priests, deacons to laypersons came forth a powerful spiritual army of the Church Militant. 

From the Western American Diocese: 

Standing before God in prayerful solidarity with our long-suffering brethren of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, headed by His Beatitude Metropolitan Onufry of Kiev and All Ukraine, who, being revered and respected throughout the whole of the Orthodox world, is primate of the only recognised canonical Orthodox Church of Christ in Ukraine, we, the members of the Synod of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, which carries out its ministry in the lands of North America, Europe, Australia, New Zealand and other nations of the West, ministering to numerous emigres from the lands of historic Russia and their descendants, express our profound indignation at the blatant violation of the Holy Canons by the Orthodox Church of Constantinople.

From OrthoChristian.com:

On September 17, 2018, we published the news piece, “Greek Metropolitan Calls on Constantinople to Repent and Cease Communication with Ukrainian Schismatics,” presenting thoughts from Metropolitan Seraphim of Kythira and Antikythera on the Ecumenical Patriarchate’s ongoing dealings with Ukrainian schismatics, with the intention of granting a tomos of autocephaly and thereby creating a new Ukrainian Orthodox Church. The Ecumenical Patriarchate announced on September 7 that he was sending two exarch bishops to Kiev to oversee and facilitate this process—an uncanonical action, as no blessing was sought from nor given by His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry of Kiev and All Ukraine, the primate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. In response, the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church announced on September 14 that it was ceasing liturgical commemoration of His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and episcopal concelebrations, and that the Russian Orthodox Church was withdrawing from any organizations or committees chaired or co-chaired by representatives of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. The Synod was also clear that this is not a break in Eucharistic communion.

From back in the 1950’s, it has been the tradition of Holy Trinity Monastery to use the American civil holiday weekend of “Labor Day Weekend” as a convenient means for the monastery’s pilgrims to come to the monastery and commemorate the memory of the Venerable St. Job, abbot and wonderworker of Pochaev and also the miraculous icon of the Mother of God of Pochaev.

The great feast of the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos was celebrated in the usual very solemn way in the monastery this year.  Especially noteworthy was that this was the first time the new Shroud of the Dormition, given to the monastery by his Grace, Bishop Nicholas of Manhattan, was used for the feast.  This greatly intensified the compunction felt by the monastery brotherhood and its numerous pilgrims, who found their way to the monastery for the feast. Many were moved to tears as they contemplated the beautiful depiction of the falling asleep of the Blessed Virgin.  

This weekend the monastery was blessed with the visit of our spiritual benefactor, His Eminence, Archbishop Gabriel of Montreal and Canada.  Vladyka is a firm supporter of his Alma Mater and whenever he is able, makes the five-hour trip to the monastery. This time was for the purpose of ordaining his hierodeacon, Fr. Sergiy Gusakov, to be a hieromonk.

On July 4/17, 2018, Holy Trinity Monastery celebrated the 100th anniversary of the martyrdom of Tsar Nicholas II and his august family and their loyal servants and attendants who were executed in Ekaterinburg early in the morning on this day in 1918.

On July 17^th, 2018, an exhibition commemorating the 100^th anniversary of the death of Tsar Nicholas II and his family opened at the Russian History Museum on the grounds of Holy Trinity Monastery.

The three-week Summer Youth Program completed its most successful year at Holy Trinity Monastery on July 15. Twenty high school students from 15 to 18 years of age, the largest group in the camp's history, gathered from across the United States and Canada to experience a unique schedule of daily liturgies, lectures, work alongside the monastics, nightly reflections, and recreational activities in beautiful, rural upstate New York.

The cathedral of the Holy Trinity Monastery is widely known and loved as the focal point of the prayer life of the monastery. Its unique frescoes, painted by the every-memorable Archimandrite Cyprian, are treasured throughout the Orthodox world, and its many holy icons and relics are greatly venerated by the countless number of pilgrims who stream to the monastery throughout the year for spiritual renewal.  The church is also used by the monks and the seminarians for the rich spiritual life of the monastery.

Since the monastery is dedicated to the Most Holy Trinity, our patronal feast day is Pentecost, or more correctly, the day of the Holy Spirit.  Since Pascha was very early this year, the feast coincided with the civil holiday of Memorial Day, thus facilitating the pilgrimage of hundreds of the faithful.  

Through the generous voluntary efforts of members of the greater Jordanville community, Holy Trinity Monastery and Seminary has been blessed with bountiful springtime beauty.

The feast of the Great-Martyr and Trophy-bearer George is celebrated in the monastery as a full feast day.  This year, it fell on the Sunday of the Samaritan Woman. As if this were not enough to make it especially solemn this year, adding to the joy of the feast was the visit of Bishop Nikolaj from Las Vegas, so we were able to have a pontifical service and also to celebrate the Slava of His Grace as well as two of our seminarians, the brothers Milosh and Negosh.

On May 2, the Orthodox Church commemorated the feast of Mid-Pentecost, the half-way point between Pascha and Pentecost.  This was a feast in the Old Testament Church.

This year in the monastery Holy Week and Pascha were celebrated with the usual solemnity, beautiful chants and with great efforts in the preparation thereof, both practical and spiritual.  Joined to this was the snowy, wintry weather, experienced as hardly every felt before. Early on Holy Saturday morning, towards the end of the Matins service, or as it is popularly called, “The Burial Service,” one of our father had to actually plow the snow around the church in order for the procession to take place.  A bit of snow fell on almost every day, including Pascha itself.

The Sunday before Pascha, known as Palm Sunday, is always celebrated with great joy in Holy Trinity Monastery.  The day before, Lazarus Saturday, is very joyous with a General Matins service served, and at the noon-day meal, traditionally an inexpensive form of caviar is served on bread, according to the typicon, the caviar, or fish eggs, symbolizing a foreshadowing of the Lord’s Resurrection, as in the event, the resurrection of St. Lazarus did.

Every since 1988 the monastery has conducted annual General Unction services for its members and also for the faithful and pilgrims.  Before it was felt that this service would interfere with the many-houred and solemn services of Great Lent and especially those of Holy Week.  However, due to the number of seriously ill fathers at the time, the service was held and has been ever since.

On March 23, 2018 , His Eminence, Archbishop Gabriel of Montreal and Canada arrived in the monastery for a few days of spiritual rest and also to celebrate the Divine Liturgy on the Sunday of St. Mary of Egypt, March 25, 2018, and in this way, to be able to partake of the special, Lenten atmosphere of the monastery during Great Lent and also to pray with the brotherhood, which is very close in heart to His Eminence, himself being one of our brethren.

In the evening, this same day as the 10th anniversary of the repose of Metropolitan Laurus, Fr. Archimandrite Luke, the Superior of the monastery, tonsured Novice Emilian to be a rassophore monk.  This was done at the end of the Small Compline service.

We congratulate Fr. Emilian, and wish him God’s mercy and strength to fulfill his desire for monasticism.  

On March 16, 2018, the Holy Trinity Monastery piously noted the memory of the 10th anniversary of the holy repose of Metropolitan Laurus, our former abbot for 32 years.  

This year, since Pascha is relatively early, the 8th of April, there was a very short period of time between the festal period of Holy Nativity and Holy Theophany and the beginning of Great Lent.  She just finished singing the festal hymns of the feast days, and then we commenced to sing the preparatory hymns of the time of repentance.

With God's grace, the help of our generous benefactors, and the diligence of our faculty and staff, Holy Trinity Orthodox Seminary was once again blessed to celebrate our patronal feast day of the Three Hierarchs: St. Basil the Great, St. Gregory the Theologian, and St. John Chrysostom. On February 11 and 12, His Eminence Metropolitan Hilarion, the monastic community, the seminarians, faculty, staff, and friends gathered to praise God the Holy Trinity, honor those great saints of the fourth century, and extol the virtues of the Seminary.

Deacon Michael Pavuk, HTOS Director of Development, brought the Jordanville Pochaev Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos, with the blessing of Archimandrite Luke and at the invitation of Archpriest Serge Lukianov, Rector, to the parish of the New Martyrs & Confessors of Russia on 18th Avenue in Brooklyn, New York, for their patronal feast, which occurred this year on the Sunday of the Prodigal Son.

As in all other years, the Feast of the Theophany was celebrated in the monastery with special solemnity.  Liturgically it is a continuum of the feast of the Nativity and as is known, mimics the Nativity liturgically, as originally it was one feast, the Theophany, or the Appearance of Our Lord to the world.

The Nativity issue of Holy Trinity Monastery's Russian-language journal Pravoslavnaia Rus' for 2018 may be downloaded as a PDF directly from the publisher's website.

The last few days in the Holy Trinity Monastery have been one of preparation and the celebration of our Lord’s Holy Nativity. One the seminarians finished with their exams for the fall semester, they began to help the monastery brethren in the thorough cleaning of all of the monastery and seminary buildings, especially the church. This coincided with the Forefeast of the Nativity, which was the liturgical preparation.

Jordanville, NY - By God’s grace, 2017 was another fruitful year for Holy Trinity Publications, the missionary-publishing arm of Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville, NY. With the blessing of H.E. Metropolitan Hilarion and under the direction of Archimandrite Luke, the monastery’s abbot, three new titles were released this year.

On December 1, 2017, the monastic funeral of the newly-reposed Schema-Archdeacon Amvrossy was served at Holy Trinity Monastery.  Fr. Amvrossy reposed on November 26 in San Francisco where he had served for 34 years in the Cathedral of Our Lady Joy of All Who Sorrow.

Prior to their graduation, Holy Trinity Seminary’s graduation class of 1971 erected a magnificent 40 foot tall cross on the top of the hill overlooking Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville, NY. Since then, this cross has become a part of the local scenery, something that is very strongly associated with the imagery of the monastery.
Although the cross has been already renovated once, time and severe weather conditions have taken their toll on it. This past summer, pilgrims from the Moscow-based Institute of Russian Athos made an initial donation that has been used to paint the cross. This is an impressive beginning, but the monastery still needs $4,000 more to renovate the entire plot. You can also be part of this noble cause, donating via PayPal below here.  Please mark your donation for the Golgotha site renovation.

Two years ago Metropolitan Hilarion blessed the founding of a woman’s monastic community, in the Russian tradition, using English as its liturgical language and under the spiritual administration of Holy Trinity Monastery. Finally, at the end of this summer, property with buildings were found near West Winfield, NY. This fall the property was blessed and recently on the patronal feast of the community, “Quick to Hear” Icon of the Mother of God, Vigil and Liturgy were served. We ask for the prayers of the faithful for this newly formed community. Their address is 235 Cole Hill Rd, Richfield Springs, NY 13439.

On Saturday, November 11 2017 the funeral and burial of Fr. Wsewolod took place at his beloved Holy Trinity Monastery.  Fr. Wsewolod was the rector of the Holy Nativity of the Mother of God parish in Albany for 50 years, but he also labored within the Holy Trinity Monastery, even earlier, partaking in many aspects of the life of the monastery.  So it was only fitting that the monastery served as the place of his funeral.

On Wednesday, November 08, 2017, at 5:30 EST, Mitered Archpriest Wsewolod Drobot (HTOS 1965) reposed in the Lord. Fr. Wsewolod was the retired rector of the Nativity of the Mother of God parish in Albany, NY, and presided as the new church building was completed.  Fr. Wsewolod was born on April 1, 1930 in Zaporozhiye, Ukraine.  He was a clergyman for 57 years from the time of his ordination to the diaconate.  He was a graduate of Holy Trinity Orthodox Seminary and lived in a house near the monastery with his family.  Fr. Wsewolod is survived by their seven children and seven grandchildren, his matushka Nadezhda having reposed in 2015. May God grant Fr. Wsewolod the Heavenly Kingdom!

Today, when the Holy Church commemorates the memory of the Holy Apostle James, Brother of the Lord in the flesh, as has been customary in the monastery, the Liturgy of the Apostle James was concelebrated by the monastery clergy. This ancient liturgy, which was the basis of the liturgies of St. John Chrysostom and St. Basil the Great, impresses one with its great prayerfulness and a connection with the Old Testament.

On October 31, the superior of the Holy Trinity Monastery, Archimandrite Luke, celebrated his Name’s Day in the usual way. He celebrated Divine Liturgy at the usual time in the morning, at 6AM. The noon-day meal was festive, at the end of which, Igumen Theophylact congratulated Fr. Luke in the name of the brotherhood, the professors and teachers of the seminary and our many pilgrims. After the monastic “mnogaya letiye,” all were invited to coffee and dessert in the former typographia, which gave a wonderful opportunity for monastics, seminarians, with the professors to engage in brotherly conversation.

This past weekend, October 28-29, was held the annual pilgrimage from Washington, D.C. along with pilgrims from Brooklyn, Lakewood, N.J. and many other parts of our country, to commemorate the tragic murder of the guardian of the Iveron Myrrh-streaming icon of the Most Holy Theotokos. This year had special resonance, it being the 20^th anniversary of this sorrowful event.

The fall 2017 Eastern American Diocesan clergy conference was held in the Holy Trinity Monastery from October 23-26. The Hawaiian Myrrh-streaming icon of the Most Holy Theotokos was present from October 26 through the weekend, when the annual pilgrimage from Washington, D.C. took place.

Some of the twelve great feasts of the Church come in two’s. Such was the case of the Transfiguration of Our Lord and the Dormition of the Theotokos, and so now also is the case of the Nativity of the Theotokos and the Exaltation of the Life-Giving Cross. At Holy Trinity Monastery the latter is celebrated with extra solemnity in that with the blessing of the Metropolitan, Archimandrite Luke is granted the right to perform the rite of the Elevation of the Cross, much to the spiritual joy of the monastics, the seminarians and the many faithful who attend this service, conducted toward the end of the All-Night Vigil.

On September 21 (8 O.S.), the first of the twelve great feast days of the Orthodox Church year was celebrated in the Holy Trinity Monastery, the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos, the church new year being September 1/14. The usual All-Night Vigil and Divine Liturgy were celebrated with the usual monastery solemnity.

On September 11 (August 29 O.S.), the holy Church commemorates the Beheading of St. John the Baptist. Even though not numbered among the twelve great feasts of the Orthodox Church, nonetheless it is a very important holiday. As usual, the All-Night Vigil and Divine Liturgy were celebrated as is usual on such feasts in the monastery.

On September 10, 2017, the brethren of the Holy Trinity Monastery celebrated the feast of the Opening of the Relics of St. Job of Pochaev (August 28 O.S.). As in a previous posting was described the Labor Day Weekend festivities in honor of St. Job, the brethren in a perhaps more intimate way, commemorated their heavenly protector. As is peculiar to this feast, since the basement church of the Holy Trinity Monastery cathedral is dedicated to the memory of St. Job, the services were conducted there.

In the 1950’s, thousands of displaced people, or people displaced by the trauma of World War II, especially from Eastern Europe, found a new life in America. Many of them were Russian Orthodox people, who had suffered deprivation of their age-old culture, especially of their faith, under communism, and now found themselves in a very strange culture. It was not long before so many of them found their spiritual home in the Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville, New York.

The monastery zealously keeps the memory of all of the reposed brethren of the brotherhood, those who have ended their lives within the walls of our sacred habitation. On the anniversary of their repose and also on their Name’s Day, the monastics chant “Memory Eternal” after the noon-time meal. Of course, all the monastics are prayed for every day, both living and dead, during the Proskomedia.

In the Holy Trinity Monastery, the feast of the Dormition of the Mother of God has always been celebrated with special solemnity. Part of this is due, undoubtedly, to the fact that the Mother of God is especially venerated by monastics as our heavenly abbess, the directress to Heaven. Also, this is due to the fact that the feast is tied in to our Labor Day weekend celebration of the memory of our heavenly protector, the Venerable Job of Pochaev, as will be explained shortly.

On August 18, 2017 the Vigil was served for the great feast of the Lord’s Transfiguration. In addition to the brotherhood, neighbors, and some seminarians who have remained part of the summer, we were joined by many pilgrims, as is usual during the summer months. A group from Chicago, led by Fr. Leonardo Naidzions, cleric of the cathedral of the Protection of the Mother of God, joined us for the Divine Liturgy the following morning.

In the Greek Chasoslov (Orologion) of 1897 is explained thus the derivation of this feast: "By reason of the sicknesses, often everywhere occurring in August, from of old customarily it was done at Constantinople to carry out the Venerable Wood of the Cross along the roads and streets for the sanctifying of places and for the driving away of sicknesses. On the eve (31 July), carrying it out from the imperial treasury, they placed it upon the holy table of the Great Church (in honour of Saint Sophia – the Wisdom of God).

On the feast of St. Seraphim of Sarov, Holy Trinity Monastery was granted a special blessing: during the feast day services, the brotherhood and faithful prayed before an icon of the beloved Russian saint with segments of his hair, a piece of the rock upon which he prayed, and a part of his clothing. The icon was placed for all to venerate in the middle of the church, and the akathist to St. Seraphim was sung before it during Matins.

This year, the monastery’s commemoration of the Royal Martyrs was especially festive. It must be noted that it was 99 years ago that they suffered for Christ.

On the eve of the Church commemoration of Saints Sergius and Herman of Valaam (June 28 O.S.), the monastery had its own feast, the tonsure of Riassophore Monk John (Weeks) to the Small Schema and Novice Stephen (Manduke) to the Riassa.  This grace-filled event took place just as the Church is finishing the fast of the Apostles.

On July 18 (N.S.), 1918, the day after the murder of the Russian Imperial family, the sister of the Empress, Grand Duchess Elizaveta Feodorovna, and other relatives of theirs, including the brothers, Princes Igor, Konstantin and Ioann Konstantinovich, were likewise killed by communist henchmen in Alpaevsk in the Ural Mountains area.  On June 15, 2017, two sisters, granddaughters of Prince Ioann, visited Holy Trinity Monastery for the first time.  

With God's grace, Holy Trinity was able to celebrate with solemnity Pentecost weekend (June 3-6). The cathedral was festively decorated with freshly-cut saplings, some tall enough to reach the base of the dome. This very strikingly manifests the church's concept of recapitulation, as the entire universe has been transfigured through Christ and brought within the purview of the Church through the power of the Spirit Who gives life to all.

On Monday, May 8th the faithful at Holy Trinity Monastery Celebrated the Divine Liturgy of St. Mark the Evangelist in honor of his feast day. In the Orthodox Church there are three orders for the Divine Liturgy that are celebrated in every parish—those of St. John Chrysostom, St. Basil the Great, and the Presanctified Liturgy of St. Gregory the Dialogist. But in addition to these three there are also several other, rarer Liturgies, characteristic of certain places or celebrated on certain days. In recent years the Liturgy of St. James has become increasingly known and celebrated; akin to it is that of St. Mark.

The Divine Liturgy of St. Mark is the ancient, traditional main Liturgy of the Orthodox Church of Alexandria. With the discovery of a papyrus from the end of the fourth century in 1928, it also has the most ancient documentation of any Orthodox Liturgy still in use. This is the Liturgy of the great hierarchs of Alexandria, whose names occur constantly in our Church calendar: Ss. Athanasius the Great, St. Cyrill of Alexandria, St. John the Almsgiver, and countless others. St. Anthony the Great and the Desert Fathers prayed at this Liturgy, and knew and loved its prayers.

On these last three days of Holy Week, the depth and poignancy of the period descended upon the monastics and seminarians, and a profound spirit of silence and contemplation permeated everyone and everything. Beginning with Great and Holy Thursday and the Liturgy of St. Basil that culminated with the foot-washing service, these days were festive with services, including the Matins with the readings of the 12 gospels, Royal Hours, Vespers with the Holy Winding Sheet, 2:00 am Lamentations, the Reading of the Book of Acts, and the Great and Holy Saturday Midnight Office. After being slowly enveloped in the ethos of Holy Week with a complete cycle of Lenten services, everyone was even more struck by the triumphant and joyous arrival  of Pascha at midnight. Truly, Christ’s Resurrection was worthily glorified! Christ is Risen!

To complete the Paschal service, the monastics, seminarians, and all the faithful pilgrims proceeded into the trapeza for the Paschal breakfast. We thank Christ for His saving Resurrection and gathering His faithful for this blessed and Great Feast. We also pray that all our friends have had an equally edifying Lent and Pascha!

With God's grace, another Pascha approaches, and intensifying their preparations for the Great Feast, the monastics and seminarians of Holy Trinity Monastery and Seminary began Holy Week with a joyous Palm Sunday. At the end of the All-Night Vigil on Saturday evening, the faithful were anointed with holy oil and received a candle, a palm, and a pussy willow. Starting on Holy Monday, there will be continuous services at the Cathedral in the mornings and evenings.

As Christ’s entrance into Jerusalem marks the beginning of His path to Crucifixion and Resurrection, we are invited to follow the journey from the temporal glory of the King’s procession into His capital, to the daily unfolding of His betrayal, and into the Eternal glory of God’s redemption for all of mankind. As is always important to remember, Judas’ betrayal and the Lord’s Crucifixion are striking events that should exhort us to repentance and ascetic struggle while the Resurrection is the embodiment of God’s promise for those who struggle to the end. We pray that all have a very edifying Holy Week and a joyous Pascha!

This Tuesday (4/4/17), the Mystery of Holy Unction was provided to the faithful in the lower church of Holy Trinity Cathedral. Although the service began at 3pm when many people are still at work, the church was filled to capacity and even overflowing by the time the Mystery was administered.

Performed by most parishes once a year during the last weeks of Lent, the service of the Holy Unction is unique, as it offers Orthodox Christians in a public service what is usually only available privately at times of extreme illness. At Holy Trinity Monastery, it is performed completely with the seven priests called for by the rubrics. Prayers and supplications to the saints (especially to those who are known for their miraculous healings) culminate in the faithful’s making a circuit around the church to be anointed with holy oil by each of the priests. The priests anoint their foreheads, eyes, cheeks, ears, chest, and the tops and palms of the hands while praying for the healing of physical, emotional, and spiritual sufferings and diseases.

The Akathist Hymn to the Most Holy Theotokos and Ever Virgin Mary, is one of the most beloved services of devotion that we have in the Orthodox Church. Tradition tells us that the Akathist was written in Constantinople, "the city of the Virgin," by St. Romanos the Melodist. The structure and format of the Akathist Hymn is so popular that many other Akathists have been written using its format. These include Akathists to Our Lord Jesus Christ, to the Cross, to various saints, etc.

The word "akathistos" translates as "not sitting," i.e., standing; normally all the faithful stand while it is being sung. The hymn has 24 stanzas, which alternate between long and short. Each kontakion ends with the singing of "Alleluia." While each longer ikos ends with the refrain: "Rejoice, O Bride Unwedded."

Most of the hymn is made up of praises directed to the Theotokos,  beginning with the salutation of the Archangel Gabriel: "Rejoice." In each of the verses, the events related to our Lord's incarnation are remembered for our contemplation. In Ikos 1, the Archangel Gabriel  marvels at the Divine self-emptying and the renewal of creation which occurs when Christ comes to dwell in the Virgin's womb. In Ikos 3 the unborn Forerunner and Baptist John prophetically rejoices. Then in Ikos 4 shepherds recognize Christ as a blameless Lamb, and rejoice that in the Virgin "the things of earth join chorus with the heavens." In the 5th Kontakion, the pagan Magi,  following the light of the star, praise the Theotokos for revealing the light of the world.

Throughout the hymns progression, various people or groups encounter Christ and the Theotokos. Each bringing their own need; their own desire or expectation, and each finds his or her own  spiritual need satisfied and fulfilled in Our Lord and in the Theotokos. Just as each generation of Orthodox, and each particular person who has prayed the Akathist, has also found in this hymn the inspired means of expressing gratitude and praise to the Theotokos for what she has accomplished for their salvation.

One can safely say that the wonderful poetic creation of St. Andrew of Crete, “The Great Canon,” contains the very essence of the meaning of Great Lent, the period of time appointed by the Holy Church for repentance, which is the very core of the Orthodox way of life.  For this reason the Church gives it a great prominence in its services during the Fast.  If during the First Week of Lent, or Clean Week, the Great Canon is divided up during the Great Compline service the first four nights, the whole composition is read in its entirety during Matins of the fifth Thursday, divided up and dispersed during the service along with the reading of the Life of St. Mary of Egypt, perhaps one of the most spectacular examples extant in Church hagiography of repentance.  This happens just before the last week of Great Lent, when the Church is already preparing us for Lazarus Saturday and the feast of the Entrance of the Lord into Jerusalem.

As is traditional, the abbot of the monastery, Archimandrite Luke, along with the monastery clergy, read the Great Canon in its entirety in the middle of the church, as mentioned previously, dispersed throughout the Matins service, while the choir chanted.  As directed by the rubrics of this service, Fr. Luke read the first half of the life of St. Mary just before the Canon was started, and the second half was read after the first part of the Canon.  The Life reflects  the meaning of the Canon, which gives wonderful examples of repentance, foreshadowed in the Old Testament.

This service inspires us in our struggles during Great Lent, preparing us for the journey of the Lord’s Passion, leading up to His joyful Resurrection.

Archpriest Peter Heers recently delivered a presentation at the Lenten Clerical Retreat that took place at St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in Howell, New Jersey.  The retreat began on March 20th and ended on March 22nd--the feast of the 40 Martyrs of Sebaste. The retreat took place under the aegis of two wonderworking icons--The Kursk Root Icon of the Mother of God and the Myrrh Streaming Icon of the Mother of God “Softener of Evil Hearts.” The event was presided over by His Eminence Metropolitan Hilarion who was also accompanied by Metropolitan Jonah, Bishop Nicholas of Manhattan, and Bishop Irenei of Sacramento. More on the retreat can be found here:

http://eadiocese.org/news_170322_2.html        

http://eadiocese.org/news_170323_1.html

Fr. Peter Heers is currently the instructor of Old and New Testament at our seminary and his the translator/publisher of many books, some of which include his most recent book The Ecclesiological Renovation of Vatican II and other well known titles such as The Life of Elder Paisios, The Epistles of Elder Paisios, and The Truth of Our Faith.

Fr. Peter Heers, in his presentation, discussed the recent Council of Crete that took place in 2016.  In his Lecture, Fr. Peter Heers addresses the problems that preceded the council and the secrecy surrounding the pre-conciliar text that were released just a few months before the council itself; he also addresses the implications of the decisions and actions of the Council of Crete.

To download a copy of Fr. Peter Heers' speech click here.

In the middle of Great Lent, the Holy Church provides the faithful with inspiration to continue with our Lenten struggle and reminds us of what lays ahead, the Holy Passion of Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

On the eve of Sunday, March 19 (March 6 O.S.), Sunday of the Veneration of the Cross, during the All-Night Vigil, a cross containing a relic of the Life-Giving Cross of the Lord, richly decorated with flowers, was brought out of the altar by the abbot of the monastery, Archimandrite Luke, attended by monastery clergy, for veneration by the faithful, this Sunday greatly increased in number by numerous pilgrims from Serbian Orthodox parishes.  The procession was attended by the peeling of the church bells and accompanied by hymns.

Once a year during Great Lent, Holy Trinity Monastery and Seminary celebrate the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts of St. James, the Brother of the Lord. This is a very unique service, not only because the Liturgy of St. James is the oldest of the eastern liturgies extant but also because this presanctified version of the liturgy was translated by ROCOR’s Bishop Jerome (Shaw).

Harkening to the Holy Sepulcher and to pilgrimages to Jerusalem, the liturgy creates an atmosphere that is distinctly its own while being clearly within the eastern ethos. It reminds those present of the ancient origins of the Church, creating a bond to the sacred spaces that may be forgotten about in America.

Also, this gives the seminarians the experience of the richness and variety of Orthodox tradition, whose differences are held together by the firm bond of Faith. Lord willing, they will transfer this spirit to their parishes when they graduate.

On the 9th anniversary of the blessed repose of Metropolitan Laurus, former primate of the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad as well as Abbot of Holy Trinity Monastery and Rector of  Holy Trinity Seminary, March 3/16 a pannykhida was served in the monastery cathedral by the monastery clergy.  The monastery brotherhood, as well as the seminary and our many neighbors and pilgrims, preserve zealously the memory of Vladyka Laurus, who was our abbot for 32 years and also headed the Church Abroad during one of its most crucial moments, the reconciliation of the Church Abroad with the church in Russia.

Fr. Lazarus was born in Russia in 1940 during the Soviet Union. He and his parents were part of the underground catacomb church during the Soviet Union. In the early 1990’s Fr. Lazarus came to the U.S. He came to Jordanville and spent 1 year of seminary there. For various reasons he had to stop seminary and find a secular job near the monastery, but he continued to attend services on Sundays and Feast days throughout the year. 

Then Fr. Lazarus became very sick and soon after was accepted as a Novice. No one knew what his illness was; he went to doctors and his medical records only showed was that he had some sort of “weakness.” Fr. Lazarus’ answer to this was that he didn’t want to know what it was, he only knew that it was a gift from God and the cure for his soul

In the following years he bore his illness with much patience and endurance, and without complaining. He knew the services very well and when he was no longer able to attend services because of his illness, he listened to the recordings of the services from his room, following them in the service books as well.

Fr. Lazarus was also very forgiving. He would often quote the words of our Saviour to forgive “up to seventy times seven” (Matt 18:22). If there was ever a quarrel between him and another he would frequently stop in the middle of the quarrel and ask forgiveness of the person and the quarrel would end immediately.

The last few months of his life were very peaceful. On the Saturday before the Sunday of Forgiveness Fr. Lazarus started to become very sick. During the first week of lent, he would go between being very sick and being normal. He received communion on Wednesday during Clean week and reposed on the following Friday evening.

+May the Lord grant rest to his soul.

First Week, marked by 10-hours daily of church services and one meal a day, culminated with the Triumph of Orthodoxy, reinforcing the purpose of our Lenten struggle as the means by which we fully incorporate ourselves into “the Faith that has established the universe.” To amplify the solemnity of this celebration, seminarians and monastics participated in hierarchical vespers and liturgy with Bishop Jerome (Shaw), a former seminarian at Holy Trinity Seminary and one of the major translators of Russian Orthodox liturgical texts into English and Slavonic.

Before the service of the Triumph of Orthodoxy, including the anathemas that can be recited only in the presence of a bishop, Bishop Jerome reminded the congregation that the anathemas are not curses but are outlines that define the boundaries of the Church. They act as a guide that functions not negatively, by creating opposition to outsiders, but positively, preserving and protecting those inside the Body of Christ, deepening our understanding of the uniqueness of our divinely transmitted tradition.

With the first week of Lent completed, we pray that the Lord will preserve us and all the faithful for the remainder of this season so that we can successfully participate in His Resurrection on Pascha.

To begin Lent’s solemnity, the monastics and seminarians of Holy Trinity began the season with a week of intensive prayer and fasting.

The community awoke together at 4:30 in the morning to start its labor of participating in 10 hours of services. Midnight office, matins, hours, vespers, and compline, punctuated throughout with spiritual readings and advice, ensured that the day was dedicated to the glory of God and to promoting the rigorous self-examination that develops into true repentance. To reinforce this prayer schedule, the trapeza served one meal daily, the first two days offering only potatoes and pickled cabbage.

Asceticism is essential to develop spiritual strength in the future leaders of our church, and all Orthodox Christians. Training his body according to reason, the seminarian clears and focuses his mind, growing in spiritual discernment and intellectual acuity. These young men also loosen themselves from the bonds of the world, reorient their passions, and experience the fullness of Orthodox prayer. Not only does this help them cultivate habits that will remain with them throughout their lives, but it also nurtures the characteristics of a successful priest. This is why we believe that integrating a seminary education with a monastic environment is crucial to the students.

We invite everyone to celebrate this season of repentance with us. Click here for a calendar of services. For more information call us at 315-858-0945 or e-mail us at info@hts.edu.

Dear supporters and friends of our monastery,

We are happy to announce that our Icon Studio's roof has been successfully replaced! With your prayers and financial assistance, we were able to complete the project before the roof collapsed under the weight of the winter's snow. Therefore, we offer a sincere thank you for your generosity during this campaign.

Having completed this work, we are not only going to continue the iconographic ministry started by Fr. Kyprian Pyzhov but have plans to expand production. As part of this, we are currently updating our website to make it more user-friendly, facilitating access to the over 1000 icons we have available. With this change, we hope to make it easy for the faithful to purchase high-quality, low-cost icons or to simply browse the index for their own edification.

May God bless your generosity!

In Christ yours,

Archimandrite Luke, 

Abbot

On the Theophany of our Lord, Archimandrite Luke and the clergy of Holy Trinity Monastery served the Great Blessing of Water.

Holy Trinity Monastery and Seminary wishes you and your loved ones a blessed Feast of the Nativity of Our Lord!

"Your Nativity, O Christ our God,  Has shone to the world the Light of wisdom!  For by it, those who worshipped the stars, Were taught by a Star to adore You,  The Sun of Righteousness, And to know You, the Orient from on High.  O Lord, glory to You!"

The Monastery experienced a spiritual blessing on the eve of the Nativity Forefeast. On Saturday evening and Sunday morning his Eminence, Archbishop Gabriel presided over the divine services, greeting everyone on the future feasts of our Lord’s Nativity and Theophany. On Sunday evening a general matins was served in honor of the Forefeast and St. John of Kronstadt. Immediately following the service the abbot, Archimandrite Luke, tonsured Novice Lev (from Russia) and Novice Angelos (from Scotland)  as rassophore monks.  

The St. Seraphim Shrine has been refurbished through kind donations of pilgrims, many from our parish in Toronto.

Our Abbot, Fr Luke plans to add a few more embellishments and then proceed to repairs inside the shrine. 

God bless all of our pilgrims through the prayers of St. Seraphim!

In Christ,

Brotherhood of Holy Trinity Monastery

Dear Supporters of Holy Trinity Monastery, The original roof of the Icon Studio building has finally lost its structural integrity, its wooden frame damaged by the heavy rains and snow of upstate New York. Water is leaking directly into the workshop, and we worry that the roof will not be able to survive the harsh winter conditions that are rapidly approaching. Therefore, we need to raise $36,000 by November 1 for this rebuilding project, and we need your support to achieve this!

Dear supporters and friends of our monastery,

Less than a month has passed since we first appealed to your generosity for the sake of rebuilding our Icon Studio's collapsing roof, and yet again, you have exceeded our expectations. In this short period, we have raised $13,500 of the $36,000 required to complete the project. With these funds, we have purchased the materials needed to begin the reconstruction. This is truly a blessing!

With your assistance, we will be able to continue our ministry that brings the beauty of the Lord into homes and churches throughout the world!

May God bless you for your generosity!

This past weekend, Holy Trinity hosted the myrrh-streaming Iveron Icon from Hawaii. It was a true blessing to our community. Together with a pilgrimage of over 100 faithful from Washington D.C., we celebrated Saturday Night Vigil and Sunday Liturgy with the icon. All present were anointed with its miraculous myrrh, which is composed not only of myrrh but of other substances unknown to modern science. After liturgy, each monastic cell and seminarian dorm room was blessed with the icon.

A panikhida was also held at the grave of the Blessed Martyr Brother Jose Muñoz-Cortez, the guardian of the Montreal myrrh-streaming Iveron Icon. His murder and the subsequent disappearance of the icon occurred on October 31, 1997. The current myrrh-streaming Iveron Icon from Hawaii is a copy of this Montreal icon.

On Friday, October 14/1, the Jordanville community prayerfully celebrated the Protection of the Mother of God.

Dear Supporters of Holy Trinity Monastery,
 
The original roof of the Icon Studio building has finally lost its structural integrity, its wooden frame damaged by the heavy rains and snow of upstate New York. Water is leaking directly into the workshop, and we worry that the roof will not be able to survive the harsh winter conditions that are rapidly approaching. Therefore, we need to raise $36,000 by November 1 for this rebuilding project, and we need your support to achieve this!
 
The current building was built in the 1990s as a new home for the Icon Studio founded by the renowned iconographer, Fr. Kyprian Pyzhov, who was instrumental in returning Russian iconography back to its traditional roots. In this way, he founded the Jordanville style, known for its simplicity and dynamism. With faithfulness to tradition and a distinctive style, Fr. Kyprian's work was highly prized, and he was commissioned to paint murals for cathedrals and churches from Luxembourg to San Francisco. 
 
The popularity of Fr. Kyprian's icons as well as his reputation for living a holy life drew disciples to him who would continue his work. To this day, the Icon Studio is very active with an inventory of approximately 1000 images on file. It acts as both a workshop that produces icons for purchase (both hand painted and mounted prints) and a training center for anyone who wants to learn the craft from master iconographers. 
 
Please help us continue our work and preserve the memory of Fr. Kyprian! May God bless your generosity!

Please donate by using the PayPal button below. Please write “Icon Studio" in the "Add special instructions to the seller" section of the donation review page.

You can also write a check to Holy Trinity Monastery with "Icon Studio" in the memo. Please mail checks to Holy Trinity Monastery, P.O. Box 36, Jordanville, NY 13361.

May God bless you for your generosity!

With love in Christ,
Archimandrite Luke
Abbot of Holy Trinity Monastery

To our generous donors and supporters,

       It is with joy and gratitude that Holy Trinity Monastery can announce the success of our campaign to raise funds for the rebuilding of the apiary that was destroyed by fire. Through your generosity and prayers, we have exceeded the necessary $4,000 for building materials and have raised $4,380! Glory to God!

       The new apiary will help to increase the monastery’s production of honey by giving novice-monk Lev a place near his 15 bee colonies to extract honey and store resources. We have already started buying the essential materials for this project and have been using our in-house staff to raise the structure. The building is in its skeleton phase with a concrete foundation, lumber frame, and insulation in the walls. As we complete it, we will add plywood for the finishing, insulation to the roof, and silicon to patch leaks in the roof. We will update you when the building is finished!  In fact, the finished building will be better than the old building which burned down.  This is more than a replacement; it is an improvement.  

       Through your generous support, one of the oldest operations at Holy Trinity Monastery can continue. It was started by Fr. Innokenti 50 years ago under the abbacy of Archbishop Averky. Archimandrite Panteleimon, the monastery’s founder, took a great interest in it. Honey production benefits the monastery by providing one of God’s best foods for health as well as additional income for the monastery by selling it.

       Monastery honey is blessed by special prayers from the Book of Needs said over each batch. This reminds us, as the Fathers of the Church also remind us, that we are to imitate the diligent bees. As the bee collects pollen from various flowers to produce its honey, so we are to collect all that is good in the world and deliver it back to Christ, who is the author of those goods.

       It is with your diligence that we have been able to continue this important work, and we thank you for all your efforts in helping us with it!

From September 21 - 25, 2016, Abbot Fr. Luke (Murianka) attended a symposium called “Rus and Holy Mount Athos: a Thousand Years of Spiritual and Cultural Unity” in Moscow, Russia. On September 29, Deacon Andrei Psarev, a member of the Holy Trinity Seminary faculty,  interviewed Fr. Luke in his office in Jordanville, and asked him to share his impressions from this event.

At 3:00pm on Saturday of the Labor Day weekend, His Grace, Bishop Nicholas of Manhattan, along with the clergy, monks and faithful that had come to Jordanville for the festivities, gathered in the main cathedral of Holy Trinity Monastery. On Saturday, September 3rd, the All-Night Vigil was served by His Grace, Bishop Nicholas, accompanied by the monastery and visiting clergy. The monastery choir was fortified by male members of the Young Singer’s Conference. On Sunday morning, September 4th, the combined clergy processed to the entrance to the Trapeza, and greeted Bishop Nicholas with glory, and processed back to the church. Labor Day Monday was even more festive than
the day before. His Grace, Archbishop Gabriel was joined by Bishop Nicholas, Archimandrite
Luke and the gathered clergy for Divine Liturgy.

Dear Supporters of our Monastery!

As you may know, part of our apiary burnt down in 2014, causing $20,000 worth of damage. Brother Lev, our beekeeper, has been trying to rebuild it as well as he can. He needs to repair an existing building in order to process this year's harvest. So far he has been extracting honey by hand in the kitchen!

We have already invested in digging a well and extending power lines to the apiary to provide water and electricity to the site.

Now we need $4,000 to make essential repairs to the apiary building in order to process honey normally this year.

The apiary has been an important part of the monastery for decades. We need your support for the apiary to continue to operate.

You can support this project by donating using PayPal on the monastery website - http://jordanville.org/donate.html. Please write "Apiary" in the "Add special instructions to the seller" section of the donation review page.

You can also write a check to Holy Trinity Monastery with "Apiary" in the memo. Please mail checks to Holy Trinity Monastery, P.O. Box 36, Jordanville, NY 13361.

May God bless you for your generosity!

With love in Christ,
Archimandrite Luke
Abbot of Holy Trinity Monastery

August 31, 2016 was the namesday of the late Metropolitan Laurus and Archimandrite Florus and the anniversary of Archimandrite Sergius’ (Romberg) repose. After the noon meal, his grace Bishop Nicholas of Manhattan, accompanied by clergy from the monastery, Canada, and Luxembourg, served a pannykhida at the grave of Metropolitan Laurus.

With the blessing of Metropolitan Ilarion and the Spiritual Council Holy Trinity Monastery, Archimandrite Luke traveled to Richmond Maine to tonsure into the Rassaphore Novice Theodora, a former novice of St. Elizabeth's Skete in Jordanville. Sister Theodora will be living in the annex immediately adjacent to the church in the kelia of St. Theophan the Recluse. The kelia is directly under the spiritual, direction of the Abbot of Holy Trinity Monastery. Sister Theodora as part of her monastic obediences opens the church before dawn with the reading of the Midnight Office and in the evening with Compline.
The rector of the parish Archpriest Chad, the parish council and parishioners have expressed their support for Sister Theodora.

On August 28, 2016 Archimandrite Luke and the brotherhood of Holy Trinity Monastery celebrated the Dormition of the Most Pure Theotokos. They were joined by pilgrims from around the United States and Canada.

On August 19, 2016, Metropolitan Jonah celebrated the Transfiguration of the Lord at Holy Trinity Monastery. Archimandrite Luke and the monastic clergy served with the Metropolitan. They were joined by pilgrims from around the United States and Canada.

Over 50 Russian Orthodox icons and religious objects from the collection of the Foundation of Russian History and Holy Trinity Monastery will be on display at Herkimer County Community College’s Cogar Gallery. The exhibition Sacred Images: Icons from Holy Trinity Monastery, running from August 12 to September 23, introduces viewers to the art and history of icon painting, the symbolism of icons and their role in Orthodox worship, and various styles and methods of producing icons.

On July 12th, 2016, Holy Trinity Monastery celebrated the feast of the holy Apostles Peter and Paul. The Abbot, Archimandrite Luke presided, assisted by the clergy of Holy Trinity Monastery. This year, the brethren and clergy marked Archimandrite Luke’s 35th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood. Hegumen Theophylact and Protodeacon Victor Lochmatow presented Archimandrite Luke with an icon of the Most Holy Trinity to mark this occasion.

On June 20, 2016, Metropolitan Hilarion came to Holy Trinity Monastery and joined Bishop Nicholas to celebrate the monastery’s patronal feastday. Sixteen priests and nine deacons from Holy Trinity Monastery, the Diocese of Eastern America and New York, and neighboring dioceses concelebrated with the bishops. After the Liturgy, there was a moleben with a cross procession. A festive trapeza followed, and then the clergy, brotherhood, and pilgrims moved over to the old print shop for a festal reception.

On June 18-19, 2016, Bishop Nicholas of Manhattan celebrated the Vigil and Liturgy for Pentecost, followed by the Vespers with kneeling prayers. Archimandrite Luke, hieromonks, and local priests concelebrated at these services. There was a cross procession during the Litia around the cathedral. After the Liturgy and Vespers on Sunday, there was a festive trapeza for the clergy, monastic brotherhood, and many pilgrims that travelled here to celebrate with us.

Sunday, May 29, 2016 marked the 68th Commencement for Holy Trinity Orthodox Seminary. Metropolitan Hilarion led the services and commencement. During the liturgy seminarian Sergei Kosov was ordained to the diaconate, Priest Ephraim Willmarth was awarded the Nabedrnik, and the deacons Peter Markevic, Andrei Psarev and Andrei Doubleday were awarded the right to wear  the double orarion.

A full report on the graduation will appear soon on the Seminary website www.hts.edu

On May 10, 2016, Metropolitan Hilaron made his Paschal Visit to Holy Trinity Monastery. During the Hierarchical Liturgy, Metropolitan Hilarion tonsured first-year seminarian Michael Storozhev a reader, ordained him to the Subdiaconate, and then ordained him to the Diaconate after the Anaphora. We wish Fr. Michael and his wife many years!

On May 3, 2016, Archbishop Gabriel served the Bright Tuesday Liturgy at Holy Trinity Monastery. After the service, Archbishop Gabriel led the Cross Procession to all four sides of the church with the reading of the Gospel. 

Christ is Risen! Xристос Воскресе! Holy Trinity Monastery wishes you and your family a blessed Feast of Our Lord's Resurrection! 

On April 30, 2016, at 2 am, Holy Trinity Monastery served the Holy Saturday Matins service.

Joseph begged Thy holy body from Pilate and, anointing it with sweet-smelling spices, he wrapped it in clean linen and laid it in a new tomb; and early in the morning the women bearing myrrh cried out:  "As Thou hast foretold, O Christ, show us the Resurrection."

On April 30, 2016, Holy Trinity Monastery served the Holy Saturday Vesperal Liturgy. Following the Liturgy, bread and wine were blessed in remembrance of the early Christians in Jeruseleum who sustained themselves on just bread and wine until the Paschal Liturgy at midnight.

On April 29, 2016, Holy Trinity Monastery served the Good Friday Vespers with the bringing of the plashchanitsa to the middle of the church.

Noble Joseph, taking down Thy most pure Body from the Tree, and having wrapped It in clean linen and covered It with spices, laid It in a new tomb.

On Holy Thursday, Abbot Archimandrite Luke served the The Order of Washing of the Feet after the Holy Thursday Liturgy.

"Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under His power, and that He had come from God and was returning to God; so He got up from the meal, took off His outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around His waist.  After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash His disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around Him." - The Gospel according to St. John.

On April 28, 2016, Holy Trinity Monastery led by Abbot Fr. Luke served the Good Friday Matins with the reading of the 12 Passion Gospels.

"Come, and let us all sing the praises of Him Who was crucified for us. For Mary said when she beheld Him on the Tree: 'Though Thou dost endure the Cross, yet Thou art my Son and God.'" - Kontakion of Holy and Great Friday

On April 24, 2016, Holy Trinity Monastery celebrated the Entry of Our Lord into Jeruseleum. Following Liturgy, Abbot Fr. Luke wished all a blessed feast day and start to Holy Week and Our Lord's Pascha! 

"Today the grace of the Holy Spirit has gathered us together. Let us all take up Thy cross and say: Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest! "

On April, 19, 2016, Holy Trinity Monastery held its annual General Unction service in Holy Trinity Cathedral.

"Thou who alone art a speedy succor, O Christ, manifest Thy speedy visitation from on high upon Thy sick servants; deliver them from their infirmities, and cruel pain; and raise them up again to sing praises unto Thee, and without ceasing, to glorify Thee; through the prayers of the Birth-Giver of God, O Thou who alone lovest mankind."

On April 7, 2016, Holy Trinity Monastery celebrated the Feast of the Annunciation. His Grace, Archbishop Gabriel of Montreal and Canada served the All-Night Vigil and celebrated the Vesperal-Liturgy on Thursday at Holy Trinity Cathedral. 

On Saturday, March 19, His Grace, Metropolitan Jonah arrived at Holy Trinity Monastery to lead the Divine Services for the Triumph of Orthodoxy. Following Sunday's Liturgy, Metropolitan Jonah delivered a sermon about how all of the faithful are called to Christ in the same way that Nathanael was called by Christ as described in the Gospels. Following the sermon, all the clergy gathered in the middle of the cathedral to serve the "Rite of Orthodoxy." Holy Trinity Seminary Alumnus Fr. Peter Markevich led the proclaiming of the anathemas.

Wednesday March 17, 2016, marked the 8th anniversary of the repose of Metropolitan Laurus. Metropolitan Laurus was commemorated at the Litya for the Dead and he was remembered with the singing of "Memory Eternal" after the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts.

"My soul, my soul, arise! Why are you sleeping? The end is drawing near, and you will be confounded. Awake, then, and be watchful, that Christ our God may spare you, Who is everywhere present and fills all things."

Here are a few selections from the Holy Trinity Monastery and Seminary choir from the Forgiveness Sunday All-Night Vigil service in Holy Trinity Monastery Cathedral.

From February 10 - 12, Holy Trinity Seminary celebrated the Feast of the Three Hierarchs, the school's patronal feast day. In conjunction with the feast, the seminary also held its 2nd annual alumni gathering. Many alumni from around the country visted their alma mater. On February 12, the celebrations culminated with the hierarchical liturgy concelebrated by Archbishop Gabriel, Bishop George, and Bishop Nicholas. Following the liturgy, a reception was held in the seminary hall for all of the seminarians, faculty, brothers of the monastery, and community members.

Sermon on Theophany by Metropolitan Philaret

In late December 2015, Abbot Archimandrite Luke attended and presented a talk in Germany on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the Monastery of St. Job of Pochaev in Munich,  Germany. The seminar began on December 24 and ended on December 26. Various talks were given about the history of the monastery, its historic connection to Pochaev, and the monasteries in Vladimirova, Slovakia and Jordanville, New York. Father Luke’s talk in Russian was titled, “Two Branches: One Root," where he traced the history of those monks that had lived in Germany and then settled in America at Holy Trinity Monastery.

On January 7, 2016, Holy Trinity Monastery celebrated the Feast of the Nativity of Our Lord. Following Liturgy, a festive meal was served in the monastery trapeza. Immediately after the meal, all of the brothers of monastery, seminarians, and members of the community enjoyed a reception in Abbot Fr Luke's office. Holy Trinity Monastery wishes you and your loved ones a blessed feast! Christ is born! 

On December 24, 2015 the funeral and burial of  Vasiliy P. Nistratov was held  at Holy Trinity Monastery. May God grant rest to his soul.

On December 24, 2015, the St Herman Youth Conference spent the day in Jordanville. In the morning, about 100 youth listened to a lecture about addiction. Following the lecture, everyone enjoyed a casual meal in the Seminary Hall while listening to a visiting priest from St. Petersburg speak about youth conferences in Russia. After lunch, the youth spent time viewing the museum, visiting the St Elizabeth Skete, seeing the cemetery, hearing about the monastery publishing office, viewing the bell tower, and enjoying a bonfire by the St. John of Kronstadt Chapel. 

New electrical power was installed for the new cemetery, old cemetery and beehives December 2015. 

For the first time, Holy Trinity Seminary is participating in #GivingTuesday, a global day dedicated to giving back. Thanks to a generous donor, every dollar you give to Holy Trinity Seminary starting today until December 1 will be doubled! All donations will be matched up to $50,000. Donate today and help the Seminary raise $100,000 by December 1. 

On November 21, 2015 Archimandrite Luke of Holy Trinity Monastery blessed the new tombstore for Bishop Constantine (Essensky) at the brotherhoood cemetery located behind Holy Trinity Cathedral. Bishop Constantine was reburied at Holy Trinity Monastery on Decemember 1, 2014. 

On Saturday, October 24, 2015, Holy Trinity Monastery held an open house for the neighboring community. During the open house, Abbot Fr. Luke (Murianka) spoke to the neighboring community about the history of the Orthodox Church, and Fr. Theophylact spoke about the history of the monastery. Following the talks, guests were led over to the Cathedral with the ringing of bells from the monastery bell tower. A short choir concert was conducted in Holy Trinity Cathedral, and Fr. Theophylact explained the particulars of an Orthodox church. Guests were also able to view the Foundation of Russian History Museum. We thank all those who visited, and we hope to see them again soon!

From October 9 to 10, 2015, Holy Trinity Orthodox Seminary held its second annual academic symposium, entitled “Saint Tikhon, Patriarch of Moscow (1865-1925): His Life and Times.” The Symposium was dedicated to the Saint’s “double” anniversary this year: 150 years since his birth, and 90 years since his blessed repose.

From October 10 - 11, 2015, Holy Trinity Monastery had the great blessing to be visited by Metropolitan Philip of Poltava and Mirgorod. On Saturday, Metropolitan Philip delivered a few remarks about the life of Patriarch Tikhon during the St. Tikhon Symposium at Holy Trinity Orthodox Seminary. After Sunday's Hierarchical Liturgy, Metropolitan Philip thanked Abbot Fr. Luke (Murianka) for the opportunity to visit Jordanville. He referred to Jordanville as a legendary place, and he was delighted to finally visit. We thank him for his participation in the St Tikhon Conference and his continued support of Jordanville.

Holy Trinity Monastery is located near New York's historic Mohawk Valley, one mile north of the village of Jordanville, within a triangle formed by Cooperstown, Utica, and Albany. It is also known for its beautiful fall scenery. 

You are invited to a free lecture at Holy Trinity Orthodox Seminary (Jordanville) by Dr. Scott Kenworthy at 10 am on Saturday, October 10, 2015. The address is entitled "Before the Patriarchate: The Life and Times of St. Tikhon until 1917" and will be delivered in English. Following the lecture, you will be able to view the new Foundation of Russian History Museum and Holy Trinity Monastery Cathedral.

On Sunday, September 27, 2015, Holy Trinity Monastery celebrated The Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross. At the end of Saturday night's Vigil, Abbot Archimandrite Luke performed the Rite of the Exaltation of the Cross in Holy Trinity Cathedral.

An appeal was made to Holy Trinity Monastery to assist with refurbishing the roof on the church in Ladomirova, Slovakia, where many of the monastics of our monastery resided before the advance of the Soviet Army. A donation was sent, and the reply was an invitation from His Beatitude Rastislav of the Czech Lands and Slovakia, to Archimandrite Luke to take part in their celebration of the feast of the Beheading of St. John the Baptist. A large portion of the Holy Head is enshrined at the church. Father Luke arrived on the eve of the feast day itself and attended the services there, the celebration being transferred to the nearest Sunday. Immediately after the Liturgy, Father Luke began his extensive tour of all the local parish communities.

On September 21, 2015, Abbot Archimandrite Luke (Murianka) led the Liturgy for the Feast of the Nativity of the Theotokos in the Holy Trinity Cathedral. Holy Trinity Monastery wishes you a happy feast day! С праздником!

Every year in September, on the Sunday of Labor Day weekend, Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville, NY triumphally celebrates the memory of its heavenly intercessor, Venerable Job of Pochaev.

Recently, Holy Trinity Monastery installed a new welcome sign for visitors, guests, clergy, and seminarians.

On Monday, August 31, 2015, Holy Trinity Monastery led by Archbishop Gabriel served a Pannikyda for Metropolitan Laurus behind the cathedral at the Metropolitan's grave. Memory Eternal!

On Friday, August 28, 2015, Holy Trinity Monastery celebrated the Dormition of the Theotokos.  Two Liturgies were served for the feast. An English Liturgy was served in the cemetery chapel which is dedicated to the Dormition of the Theotokos and a Slavonic Liturgy was served in the Holy Trinity Cathedral. Following both Liturgies, a moleben was held at the cemetery chapel.

On August 19, 2015, led by Abbot Archimandrite Luke (Murianka), Holy Trinity Monastery celebrated Transfiguration. Following the service, Abbot Luke blessed fruit for the feast.

On August 14, 2015, to begin the Dormition Fast, a blessing of water and honey was served at Holy Trinity Monastery. The Dormition Fast is two weeks and one of the strictest fasts in the Orthodox Church.

On Friday, July 31, 2015, after lunch, a new cemetery area was consecrated.  Due to the fact that almost all of the available plots in the older monastery cemeteries have been purchased, a new section has been prepared along side the oldest cemetery.  For the Orthodox faithful, this need for more plots has been emphasized especially of late, as recently there have been more and more requests for cemetery plots.  This is due no doubt to the fact that the souls of those buried in the Holy Trinity Monastery cemetery are prayed for during the Divine Liturgy and also during the several special commemorative days during the church year.

Holy Trinity Monastery is blessed with many joyful feasts throughout the liturgical year and also the occasional special event.  Such an occasion was recently on Friday evening and Saturday morning, when according to the Church calendar, the feast of St. Sergius of Radonezh was celebrated. It is doubtful that this feast was ever celebrated with such solemnity and joy as this year.  During the afternoon services the Hawaiian Iveron Myrrh-streaming icon arrived, brought by its guardian, Brother Nectarios.  Later in the afternoon, his Eminence, Metropolitan Hilarion, arrived to greet a very important guest, his Beatitude, Metropolitan Onuphry of Kiev and All Ukraine, who finds himself in the United States on a private visit.

On July 17, 2015, Holy Trinity Monastery celebrated the Feast of the Royal Martyrs of Russia.

Troparion: Meekly didst thou endure bonds and diverse sufferings, and the loss of an earthly kingdom, and didst bear witness for Christ even unto death at the hands of those that fight against God, O great passion-bearer, divinely-crowned Tsar Nicholas; therefore, Christ God hath crowned thee in the heavens with a martyr’s crown, together with thy queen, thy children, and thy servants. Him do thou entreat to have mercy on the Russian land and save our souls.

When our Lord and God and Saviour Jesus Christ instructed His Apostles to render unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s, and unto God the things that are God’s (Matthew 22:21), He foretold of the future what was already true in the days in the Roman Empire: that a Christian would never be one who sat dismissively apart from the world and its governance, but neither would a Christian be one for whom the ever-changing whims of social governance would be the chief voice ruling his life...

“Their sound has gone forth into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world.” 

Our Church is Apostolic because it follows the life and teaching established by the Apostles. They in their turn continue the mission of our Teacher and Saviour the Lord Jesus Christ. The rule of faith given to us by our Saviour and his Disciples must be kept without change as He says, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away (Matthew 24:35).”

On July 11,  the 2015 Summer Youth Program came to a close at Holy Trinity Monastery. The program incorporates both monastery life and features of a summer camp. Young men have the opportunity to attend monastic services, work beside members of the brotherhood, and participate in candid religious discussions. The program also features sports and recreational activities, including special events such as day trips to local points of interest.

June 26, 2015

Today the United States Supreme Court ruled that homosexual marriage is a constitutional right in the United States of America. Given the ubiquitous coverage the news media is providing on this issue it is important that our clergymen and parishioners fully understand the position of the Church in this regard.

From the EA Diocese website:

"On Monday, June 8, Matushka Nadezhda Drobot, wife of Archpriest Wsewolod Drobot (former rector of Nativity of the Mother of God Church in Albany, NY) and mother of Protodeacon Nicholas Drobot (cleric of Holy New Martyrs of Russia Church in Norwich, CT), reposed in the Lord.

Matushka Nadezhda is survived by her husband, seven children, and eight grandchildren.

All funeral services will be held at Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville, NY.

Tuesday, June 9: 6:30 PM Panihida

Wednesday, June 10: 6:30 PM Panihida

Also: 6:30 PM Panihida at Nativity of the Mother of God Church in Albany

Thursday, June 11: 1:30 PM Funeral, followed by burial at Jordanville cemetery

Memory eternal to the handmaiden of God Nadezhda!"

http://eadiocese.org/News/2015/june/drobot.en.htm

From the EA Diocese website:

"On Monday, June 8, Matushka Nadezhda Drobot, wife of Archpriest Wsewolod Drobot (former rector of Nativity of the Mother of God Church in Albany, NY) and mother of Protodeacon Nicholas Drobot (cleric of Holy New Martyrs of Russia Church in Norwich, CT), reposed in the Lord.

For the Third Day of Pentecost, Bishop Nicholas of Manhattan celebrated the Hierarchical Liturgy at Holy Trinity Monastery. Today is the last day of celebrations for the monastery’s patronal feast day.

On June 1, 2015, Holy Trinity Monastery celebrated Holy Spirit Day its patronal feast day. Metropolitan Hilarion, First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, and Metropolitan Jonah concelebrated the Liturgy for the feast day. Co-serving along with the two hierarchs were 16 priests and 9 deacons.     

On May 31, 2015, Holy Trinity Monastery celebrated the Feast of Pentecost. His Eminence, Metropolitan Jonah (OCA) celebrated the Hierarchical Vigil and Liturgy. Following Liturgy, the Metropolitan served the Vespers service with the three prayers on bended knees. After the Vespers service, Abbot Archimandrite Luke congratulated everyone with the feast and invited them to a festive meal followed by a reception. We wish everyone a blessed Pentecost!

On May 24, 2015 Holy Trinity Orthodox Seminary had its 67th Commencement and marked the end of the 2014-15 academic year and the conclusion to the years of seminary studies for the Graduating Class of 2015. Metropolitan Jonah (OCA) presided at the hierarchical vigil and liturgy. 

On May 22, Holy Trinity Monastery celebrated the Feast of the Translation of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker's relics to Bari, Italy. Following the Divine Liturgy, Abbot Fr. Luke served a Panikhida at Metropolitan Anastasy’s grave located in the back of the Holy Trinity Cathedral. Metropolitan Anastasy was the second First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia. He reposed 50 years ago on May 22, 1965.

"Thou hast ascended in glory, O Christ our God, and gladdened Thy disciples with the promise of the Holy Spirit; and they were assured by the blessing that Thou art the Son of God and Redeemer of the world."

On May 6, 2015, Holy Trinity Monastery celebrated Mid-Pentecost and St. George Day. Following Divine Liturgy, Abbot Fr. Luke led the service of the Small Blessing of the Water at the Holy Trinity Monastery well. Holy Great Martyr George pray to God for us!

On Radonitsa, led by Abbot Fr. Luke Murianka the monastic brethern, seminarians and members of the community prayed for the departed including those buried in the Holy Trinity Monastery Cemetery.

"When Thou hadst fallen asleep in the flesh as one mortal, O King and Lord, Thou didst rise again on the third day, raising up Adam from corruption, and abolishing death: O Pascha of incorruption!  O Salvation of the world!"

Joseph begged Thy holy body from Pilate and, anointing it with sweet-smelling spices, he wrapped it in clean linen and laid it in a new tomb; and early in the morning the women bearing myrrh cried out:  'As Thou hast foretold, O Christ, show us the Resurrection.'"

"He who closed the abyss lies before us dead; and as a corpse the Immortal is wrapped in linen with sweet spices and laid in a tomb.  The women came to anoint Him with myrrh, weeping bitterly and crying: 'This is the most blessed Sabbath on which Christ sleeps, but on the third day He shall rise again.'"

"Noble Joseph, taking down Thy most pure Body from the Tree, and having wrapped It in clean linen and covered It with spices, laid It in a new tomb."

"The whole creation was changed by fear, when it saw Thee, O Christ , hanging on the Cross. The sun was darkened and the foundations of the earth were shaken; all things suffered with the Creator of all. Of Thine own will Thou hast endured this for our sake: O Lord, glory to Thee."

"Today is the fountainhead of our salvation and the manifestation of the mystery which was from eternity: the Son of God becometh the Virgin's Son, and Gabriel announceth the good tidings of grace; for this cause, let us cry to the Mother of God with him:  "Rejoice, thou who art full of grace; the Lord is with thee." 

"By raising Lazarus from the dead before Your passion, You did confirm the universal Resurrection, O Christ God! Like the children with the palms of victory,We cry out to You, O Vanquisher of death;Hosanna in the Highest! Blessed is He that comes in the Name of the Lord!"

On April 1, Abbot Archimandrite Luke served a Presanctified Liturgy in English in the Dormition Church in the cemetery. The English translation of the Liturgy is from Colonel Philip Ludwell III (1716-1767).

On March 16, the Abbot of Holy Trinity Monastery and the brotherhood served a Pannikida for Metropolitan Laurus who was the First Hierarch of the Russian Church Outside of Russia and Abbot of Holy Trinity Monastery.

On March 15, Holy Trinity Monastery celebrated the Third Sunday of Great Lent: The Veneration of the Precious Cross.

On Wednesday, March 11, the community of the Holy Trinity Monastery and Seminary celebrated the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts of St James, the Brother of the Lord.   The liturgy was served at 11am in the church of St Job of Pochaev in the basement of the Holy Trinity Cathedral, and was presided by Archimandrite Luke (Murianka), the Abbot of the monastery. 

For The Triumph of Orthodoxy, Bishop Jerome served the Hierarchical Vigil and Liturgy at Holy Trinity Monastery. The Rite of Orthodoxy service followed Sunday's Liturgy.

"Where shall I begin to weep for the actions of my wretched life? What first-fruit shall I offer, O Christ, in this my lamentation? But in Thy compassion grant me forgiveness of sins." --The Great Canon of St. Andrew of Crete

Archbishop Gabriel, a graduate of Holy Trinity Seminary, served the Hierarchical Vigil and Liturgy for the Feast of the Three Hierarchs. This is the patronal feast day for the seminary. After Liturgy, students, faculty, and alumni celebrated the feast with a reception in the Seminary Hall.

"When Thou, O Lord, wast baptized in the Jordan, worship of the Trinity wast made manifest; for the voice of the Father bore witness to Thee, calling Thee His beloved Son. And the Spirit in the form of a dove confirmed the truth of His word. O Christ our God, Who hath appeared and enlightened the world, glory to Thee."

Nativity Troparion

"Thy Nativity, O Christ our God, hath shined the light of reason upon the world; for thereby they that worshipped the stars were instructed by a star to worship Thee, the Sun of Righteousness, and to know Thee, the Dayspring from on high. O Lord, glory be to Thee."

Rector Archimandrite Luke delivered the keynote speech at this year’s St. Herman’s Youth Conference in Toronto. Fr. Luke spoke about the sanctification of the material world and about the recent reburial of Bishop Constantine (Essensky). Fr. Luke also participated in the question and answer panel discussion. 

Archimandrite Luke delivered the keynote speech at this year’s St. Herman’s Youth Conference in Toronto. Fr. Luke spoke about the sanctification of the material world, the incorruptibility of relics, the glorification of saints and the recent reburial of Bishop Constantine (Essensky). Fr. Luke also participated in the question and answer panel discussion. 

On December 19, 2014, Holy Trinity Monastery celebrated St. Nicholas Day. This was also the 40^th anniversary of Protodeacon Victor Lochmatow’s ordination to the diaconate. At the conclusion of the Liturgy, Deacon Andrei Psarev read a congratulatory  letter from Metropolitan Hilarion to Fr. Victor. Archimandrite Luke then presented a copy of the Vladimir icon of the Mother of God to Fr. Victor on behalf of Holy Trinity Monastery, Holy Trinity Seminary and St. Elizabeth Skete.

On December 14, 2014, Archbishop Gabriel of Montreal and Canada celebrated the Hierarchical Vigil and Liturgy at Holy Trinity Monastery. Fr. Andrei Myer was ordained to the Priesthood during the Hierarchical Liturgy by Archbishop Gabriel.

On December 4, 2014, Holy Trinity Monastery celebrated the Entrance of the Theotokos into the Temple. Abbot Archimandrite Luke (Murianka) led the Vigil and Liturgy services.

On December 1 2014, Metropolitan Hilarion and many clergy came to Holy Trinity Monastery today to rebury Bishop Constantine (Essensky; +1996) behind the Cathedral. Metropolitan Hilarion served a panikhída before the reburial service. Bishop Constantine reposed 18 years ago and was originally buried in Blanco, Texas.

On Wednesday, November 5, Holy Trinity Monastery marked the  feast of St James the Brother of the Lord and the first bishop of Jerusalem with the celebration of the Divine Liturgy attributed to the apostle at the Holy Trinity Cathedral. On Friday, November 14, on the feast of Sts. Cosmas and Damian, the abbot of the Monastery, Archimandrite Luke, celebrated the Liturgy of St James in English at the Dormition cemetery church.

On November 4, 2014, Holy Trinity Monastery celebrated the feast of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God and St. Averky of Hierapolis, Equal-to-the-Apostles. Following the Liturgy, Archimandrite Luke served a Litia at the grave of Archbishop Averky who was the Abbot of Holy Trinity Monastery from 1960 until his repose in 1976. Archbishop Averky was also the Rector of Holy Trinity Orthodox Seminary.

Fr John Campbell (known previously as Fr Lawrence Cambell ) reposed peacefully in the Lord just before midnight on Monday November 3, 2014.  He  spent much of his life preparing English-language texts of the Divine Services and private prayers, most notably the 4th edition of our Jordanville Prayer Book and the Unabbreviated Horologion. Fr. John's funeral was held on November 6, 2014.

Fr John Campbell (known previously as Fr Lawrence Cambell ) reposed peacefully in the Lord just before midnight on November 3, 2014.  He  spent much of his life preparing English-language texts of the Divine Services and private prayers, most notably the 4th edition of our Jordanville Prayer Book and the Unabbreviated Horologion. May the Lord grant rest to his soul.

From October 25 - 26, 2014, Archpriest Victor Potapov and about 100 parisioners from St. John the Baptist Cathedral made their annual pilgrimage to Holy Trinity Monastery to visit the grave of Jose Muñoz-Cortes who is buried in the Holy Trinity Monastery cemetery. Joining the pilgrims for their annual pilgrimage were Metropolitan Hilarion, Metropolitan Jonah (OCA),  and the myrrh-streaming "Hawaiian" Iveron Icon of the Mother of God.

On October 25, 2014, Holy Trinity Monastery opened its doors to host an open house event for the general public. Beginning at 1 pm, Fr. Luke spoke to the visitors about the the history of the Orthodox Church. At 2 pm, Heirodeacon Seraphim spoke about the history of Holy Trinity Monastery and Seminary. Following the talks, visitors were encouraged to visit the new museum, enjoy refreshments and visit the bookstore. Heiromonk Theophylact conducted tours of Holy Trinity Cathedral.

On Tuesday October 14, Holy Trinity Monastery celebrated the Protection of the Mother of God. Archimandrite Luke Murianka served the Vigil and Liturgy for the Feast.

At the St. Sergius Conference hosted at Holy Trinity Orthodox Seminary, students and professors delivered papers on St Sergius. Most Reverend Bishop Jerome (Shaw) presented his reminiscences (in both Russian and English) regarding the chapel dedicated to St Sergius in Churaevka village near Southbury, CT. The  keynote address was by the Very Reverend Archpriest Pavel Velikanov (Moscow Theological Academy) entitled “The Experience of Entering the Life of the Church for a Modern Orthodox Christian.” 

On October 8, Holy Trinity Monastery celebrated the feast day of St. Sergius of Radonezh. The Feast Day is the official beginning of the St. Sergius Conference hosted at Holy Trinity Seminary. 

Archbishop Gabriel of Montreal and Canada served the Hierarchical Vigil for the the Exaltation of the Cross. After the Great Doxology, the Cross was brought out and Archbishop Gabriel led the service of the Exaltation of the Cross. On Saturday morning, Archbishop Gabriel led the Hierarchichal Liturgy for the Feast Day.

For the Nativity of the Theotokos, Archimandrite Luke served the Vigil and Liturgy services at Holy Trinity Monastery. Fr. Ephraim Wilmarth who is a graduate of Holy Trinity Seminary and also the current administrative assistant gave the sermon.

Three Liturgies were served at Holy Trinity Monastery to celebrate The Beheading of John the Baptist. Archimandrite Luke served an English Liturgy in the Dormition church in the cemetery, Hieromonk Theophylact served the Slavonic Liturgy in Holy Trinity Cathedral, and Archpriest Vladimir Von Tsurikov served a Liturgy at St. Elizabeth Skete.

On September 10, 2014, Holy Trinity Monastery celebrated the feast day of St. Job of Pochaev. St. Job is the patron saint of Holy Trinity Bookstore, Holy Trinity Publications, and the monastic brotherhood. The monastery held a liturgy in the lower church dedicated to St. Job of Pochaev. Following the liturgy, a cross procession and moleben were held to St. Job.

His Grace, Bishop Nicholas led the Hierarchical Vigil and Liturgy during Labor Day Weekend at Holy Trinity Monastery. Following the Hierarchical Liturgy, a moleben was served to the Mother of God and a small litia for the names day of Metropolitan Laurus and Archimandrite Flor. 

Following the service, trapeza was served for all of the visiting pilgrims.

At 3 p.m. a cross procession was conducted to the cemetery chapel to bring the Pochaev Icon of the Mother of God to the Holy Trinity Cathedral. His Grace Bishop Nicholas met the cross procession at the cathedral and led a moleben and akathist to St. Job of Pochaev.

On September 1^st, 2014 Holy Trinity Publications released a new translation of spiritual talks delivered by the ever-memorable Archbishop Averky of Syracuse and Holy Trinity Monastery. The Struggle for Virtue: Asceticism in a Modern Secular Society goes straight to the roots of our modern alienation from God and each other. We are shown that through the renewal of Gospel love the conscience is reawakened. We can then begin to experience true freedom, founded on the acquisition of virtue and overcoming of vice. All of this is seen to demand effort: A Struggle for Virtue.

For the Feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos, two Divine Liturgies were held at Holy Trinity Monastery. Bishop Nicholas led the Hierarchical Liturgy in the Holy Trinity Cathedral with the Kursk Root Icon and Hieromonk Cyprian celebrated an English Liturgy in the cemetery chapel which is dedicated to the Feast. Following the Hierarchical Liturgy, a moleben was served at the cemetery chapel to the Mother of God.

On Monday August 25, 2014 the tonsures into the small schema was perfomed by Archimandrite Luke at Holy Trinity Monastery after the service of Compline. Novice Vitaly Ahmolin was given the name of Righteous Lazarus and Br.  Andrei Kozhin was given the name of Hieromartyr Sylvester, Archbishop of Omsk.

On August 19, Holy Trinity Monastery celebrated the Feast of the Transfiguration. Archimandrite Luke (Murianka) served the Vigil and Liturgy for the Feast.

Holy Trinity Monastery is now offering new fibreglass cemetery crosses. They do not require replacement, painting or repair like wood crosses, which typically last 8 to 10 years.

On Monday July 28, 2014, Holy Trinity Monastery celebrated the feast of St. Vladimir. Archimandrite Luke lead the Vigil with Archpriest Vladimir (Tsurikov) and celebrated the Liturgy with newly ordained Fr. Ephraim Willmarth and Hieromonk Moses.

On July  17, 2014, Fr. Ephraim Willmarth was ordained to the Priesthood by His Eminence Gabriel, Archbishop of Montreal & Canada. Fr. Ephraim is a graduate of Holy Trinity Orthodox Seminary and currently is the Administrative Assistant at the Seminary. 

Jordanville, NY - On July 1^st, 2014 the publishing house of Holy Trinity Monastery released its latest title. Recollections of Jerusalem (ISBN: 9780884653592) offers the personal memoirs of Anya Berezina Derrick, parishioner and former head sister of St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Cathedral in Seattle, WA.

Metropolitan Hilarion served at Holy Trinity Monastery on the feast day of St. John of Shanghai and San Francisco on July 4-5 2014.

The Summer Youth Program is in its second week at Holy Trinity Monastery. This year fifteen young men  enrolled in the program. Many clergy  of the Russian Church drew closer to God with their experience as Summer Boys in Jordanville. Many others have formed pious families with the good influence they received at the Summer Youth Program.

Work has begun to replace many of the bricks around the Church and Seminary building that have fallen or broken over the years due to weather damage.

Work has begun on the second phase of replacing the remainder of the Monastery and Seminary oil tanks under the requirement by the Department of Enviromental Services. This project is very costly. The total cost to complete the work is $212, 000.00. We ask for your continued support to help us cover this expense.

On Holy Spirit Day, Metropolitan Hilarion, Metropolitan Jonah, 13 Priests and 8 Deacons celebrated the Hierarchical Liturgy at Holy Trinity Monastery. Both Hiermonk Gabriel and Anatoli received awards for their service to the Church. A molebon and procession to the Holy Trinity followed the Liturgy. 

June 8 was Pentecost and Holy Trinity Monastery's patronal Feast Day. Metropolitan Jonah served the Hierarchichal Vigil and Liturgy to celebrate the Feast. Immediately after Liturgy, Metropolitan Jonah led the Vespers with the Three Prayers on Bended Knees. Following Vespers, everyone joined the brethern for a meal and reception on the Monastery lawns.

"Having accomplished for us Thy mission and united things on earth with things in heaven, Thou didst ascend into glory, O Christ our God, being nowhere separated from those who love Thee, but remaining ever present with us and calling: I am with you and no one is against you."

On May 25, 2014, the Sixty-Sixth Annual Commencement was celebrated at Holy Trinity Orthodox Seminary. His Grace Bishop George of Mayfield served a Hierarchal Vigil and Liturgy and offered opening remarks at the Seminary's Commencement. The Commencement Speaker was Archpriest Serge Kotar. On the Commencement Day, the Foundation of Russian History Museum also officially opened to the public. At the end of the Liturgy, Archpriest Vladimir Tsurikov was given a gramota from Metropolitan Hilarion for his labors in establishing a new museum at the Holy Trinity Monastery.

On May 22, 2014, Holy Trinity Monastery celebrated the Translation of the Relics of St. Nicholas. An All-Night Vigil and Liturgy was served by Archimandrite Luke (Murianka) for the Feast. Following the Liturgy, the faithful held a procession to Metropolitan Anastasy's crypt to offer prayers on his death day.

On May 18, 2014, the Foundation of Russian History hosted a rededication of the Foundation, and a preview of a new exhibit entitled "The Russian Word and Image: Four centuries of books and art." At the event, the Foundation also unveiled the new Russian Nobility Association Reading Room. The museum and reading room are located at Holy Trinity Monastery and Seminary in Jordanville, New York.

From May 17-18, Metropolitan Jonah lead a Hierarchal Vigil and Liturgy at Holy Trinity Monastery. Metropolitan Jonah visited the Monastery to take part in a preview of The Foundation for Russian History Museum. The museum official opens to the public on May 25 on Holy Trinity Seminary's graduation day.

"On May 6, 2014 Archimandrite Luke delivered a lecture at St. Mary's Cathedral (OCA) in Minneapolis, MN. The talk was part of an annual Saint Alexis (Toth) lecture series sponsored by the St. Mary's Boriss-Hansen Committee. St. Alexis is one of the great missionary confessors of the Orthodox Church and was lauded as such in Father Luke's talk."

On Radonitsa, led by Abbot Fr. Luke Murianka the monastic brethern, seminarians and members of the community prayed for the departed including those buried in the Holy Trinity Monastery Cemetery.

Paschal Greetings from the Brotherhood of Holy Trinity Monastery.

Christ is Risen!

Having slept in the flesh as a mortal, O King and Lord, Thou didst rise on the third day. Thou didst raise up Adam from corruption and abolish death, O Passover of incorruption, Salvation of the world!

It is the day of Resurrection; let us be radiant, o ye peoples; Pascha, the Lord's Pascha; for Christ God hath brought us from death to life, and from earth to Heaven, as we sing the triumphal hymn.

He who closed the abyss lies before us dead; and as a corpse the Immortal is wrapped in linen with sweet spices and laid in a tomb. The women came to anoint Him with myrrh, weeping bitterly and crying: "This is the most blessed Sabbath on which Christ sleeps, but on the third day He shall rise again."

​"Noble Joseph, taking down Thy most pure Body from the Tree, and having wrapped It in clean linen and covered It with spices, laid It in a new tomb."

"O Lord, Thou hast vouchsafed the wise thief Paradise in one moment. Enlighten me also by the Tree of the Cross, and save me."

The Icon of the Mother of God "Softener of Evil Hearts" will be visiting Holy Trinity Monastery from Wednesday, April 16 to Sunday, April 20.

On April 15, 2014, an Unction Service was served at Holy Trinity Monastery. Abbot Fr. Luke (Murianka) led the service with six other priests to administer the Sacrament to the faithful.

"O Christ God, enthroned in Heaven and on earth riding a donkey's colt, You have accepted the praise of the angels and the hymns of the children who were crying out to You: "Blessed are You who come to restore Adam."

A medical room / first aid room has been set up on the second floor of the monastery dormitory next to our two infirmaries. 

Today is the beginning of our salvation, The revelation of the eternal mystery! The Son of God becomes the Son of the Virgin As Gabriel announces the coming of Grace. Together with him let us cry to the Theotokos: Rejoice, O Full of Grace, The Lord is with You!

On Friday, April 4, 2014, following a matins service and akathist to the Mother of God, Priest Nicholas Olhovsky was tonsured a Monk by Abbot Fr. Luke (Murianka). Fr. Nicholas has been elected to be the next Bishop of Manhattan. Fr. Luke also tonsured Novice John to Rassophore Monk.

On Wednesday April 2, 2014, during matins Holy Trinity Monastery read the entire Great Canon of St. Andrew of Crete as well as the life of St. Mary of Egypt.

From March 24 -26, 2014, the clergy of the Canadian Diocese held their Lenten retreat at Holy Trinity Monastery. On Wednesday, clergy met in the Holy Trinity Seminary Hall with discussions lead by His Eminence Archbishop Gabriel of Montreal and Canada. Following supper, clergy and seminarians attended Great Compline together.

On Thursday morning, clergy attended all the Lenten services including a Hierarchal Presanctified Liturgy.

Kontakion - "Now the flaming sword no longer guards the gates of Eden; / it has mysteriously been quenched by the wood of the Cross! / The sting of death and the victory of hell have been vanquished; / for You, O my Savior, have come and cried to those in hell: / "'Enter again into paradise.'"

We are very pleased to announce the launch of the new Holy Trinity Monastery Bookstore website, which can be found here. This website marks a big jump forward in terms of ease of use for customers, improved cover images, and the ability to have Russian text. Like anything in life, this website is a work in progress, and we will be improving and adding more titles all the time. Thank you for supporting Holy Trinity Monastery through its bookstore!

From March 12 -14, the Northern Lenten Retreat for the Eastern American Diocese was hosted at Holy Trinity Monastery and Seminary. On March 13, Metropolitan Hilarion opened the retreat by speaking about the 80th anniversary of the founding of the Eastern American Diocese. In the afternoon, a round-table discussion was held for clergy and seminarians. On March 14, a Hierarchal Presanctified Liturgy was celebrated by Metropolitan Hilarion and Bishop George.