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On the Synaxis of St. John the Baptist, January 20, the Rev. Deacon Rodion Aragon was ordained to the priesthood by His Grace Bishop George of Mayfield at the Holy Trinity Cathedral.
Father Rodion is currently studying at Holy Trinity Seminary and will move back to Costa Rica in the near future.
May God strengthen him in his service to the Church.
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Below is a video recording of the Kontakion of the Great Canon sung at Holy Trinity Monastery, March 4, 2009.
My Soul, my soul arise! Why sleepest thou? The end draweth near, and thou shalt be troubled; arouse thyself, then, that Christ God may spare thee, Who is everywhere present, and filleth all things.
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On February 12, 2009, on the feastday of the Three Hierarchs, the Rev. Deacon Alexei Pjawka was ordained to the priesthood by His Eminence Metropolitan Hilarion at the Holy Trinity Cathedral.
May the Lord bless the newly ordained Priest Alexei and his wife Alexandra so that he may serve the Church and bear abundant fruit.
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On January 27, Metropolitan Kirill was elected Patriarch of Moscow and
All Russia. On February 1, 2009 Metropolitan Kirill was enthroned at the
Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Moscow.
Most of the Bishops of the Russian
Orthodox Church outside of Russia participated in the election process
as well as many delegates from all the ROCOR Dioceses.
In
his acceptance speech Metropolitan Kirill asked for prayers to bear the
heavy cross of Patriarch and so it is our duty to pray for our pastors
in Church and in our private prayers. May the Lord God grant our new
Patriarch strength, wisdom and steadfastness in the Faith.
Many Years.
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Last year, on the Sunday of the first week of Great Lent when the Holy Church commemorates the Triumph of Orthodoxy, our beloved Father and Archpastor Metropolitan Laurus reposed in the Lord.
May the Lord God grant rest to His soul among the righteous. On this feast day this year we cannot help but remember the day when the large large bell of our monastery bell tower sorrowfully echoed the news of the repose of Metropolitan Laurus.
Vladyka loved the Church, he loved this monastery, he honored and prayed with much faith in front of the Kursk Root icon of the Mother of God and St. Job of Pochaev. All his spiritual children will remember his quiet childlike faith and love he showed when venerating the icons. May his example warm our hearts to increase our seal to grow closer to God, to the Mother of God and the Saints.
Below are two videos from September 3 2005.
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Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ!
The financial crisis in the world around us is felt in our Monastery. This has created difficulties in meeting the operating costs in the Monastery for electricity, heating and the most necessary repairs. We appeal to our benefactors to remember us in their prayers and ask their support.
With love in Christ,
Archimandrite Luke and Brotherhood
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On Sunday, March 8, 2009 His Grace Bishop Jerome of Manhattan served at Holy Trinity Monastery for the Feast of the Triumph of Orthodoxy. His Grace gave an inspiring sermon on the significance of this feast and our responsibility of keeping the Faith.
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The first year anniversary since the repose of the ever memorable
Metropolitan Laurus was
on March 16, 2009. On this day the blessing of the new marble tomb was
performed by Archimandrite Luke, Abbot of Holy Trinity Monastery,
which was then followed by a pannykhida service. Archimandrite Luke
gave an inspiring talk on the life of
Metropolitan Laurus, his simplicity, prayer life, and perseverance in
his struggles amongst his sicknesses.
Part of the talk (in Russian) may be viewed here.
See also two texts by Matushka Elena Perekrestov and Reader Tikhon Thompson and a text by Archpriest Stefan Pavlenko.
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A new DVD commemorating the 75th Anniversary of Holy Trinity Monastery is now available. It includes 2 DVD's and covers the three day festal celebrations in 2005. It is beautifully recorded and edited as well as being inspiring.
The cost of the DVD is US$20.
Orders by e-mail:
bookstore@jordanville.org
By Mail
Holy Trinity Monastery Bookstore
PO Box 36
Jordanville, NY 13361
USA
By Fax
1 315 858 0505
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Photo Report
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On Friday, April 3, 2009 after the service of the Akathist Rassophore Monk Evgeny of Holy Trinity Monastery was tonsured to the Small Schema by Archimandrite Luke, receiving the name of Saint Gabriel of the Seven Lakes. May our Lord Jesus Christ help Fr Gabriel in his monastic struggles and grant him patience and humility.
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On April 25, 2009, clergymen from the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad and from the Moscow Patriarchate gathered at the St. Nicholas Patriarchal Cathedral in New York City in order to concelebrate at the Liturgy of Bright Saturday. Click here for more information .
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On Memorial Day Weekend, Holy Trinity Monastery hosted a retreat for Orthodox young adults. Many came from as far away as Florida and California. The greater number of participants came from the young adult community of the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad, but all were welcome and some came from other jurisdictions.
The retreat officially began on Saturday, May 23, following the Divine Liturgy and breakfast in the monastery refectory, which was attended even by those who arrived late in the evening before. Retreat organizer and seminarian Michael Perekrestov welcomed the participants to Holy Trinity Monastery. Graduating seminarian Vladimir Davydov gave a lecture based on his bachelor’s thesis, which focuses on the cemeteries of Holy Trinity Monastery. After the lecture, all took part in a Litya for Metropolitan Laurus and the reposed mentioned in the lecture. Then the group broke up into three randomly chosen groups who helped to beautify the monastery. One cleaned the cemetery church dedicated to the Dormition of the Mother of God. Another helped to clean, paint, and prepare the garage building to be a nice dining hall for the pilgrims who will be coming for the monastery’s feast day, on Pentecost. The third helped to beautify the monastery grounds by weeding, trimming, and spreading decorative mulch. After lunch in the refectory and a break, the group gathered in the Holy Trinity Seminary hall for a lecture and slide presentation on Metropolitan Laurus, which was given by the Metropolitan’s former cell attendant and dedicated lifetime assistant, Protodeacon Victor Lochmatow. Father Victor answered questions and gave a vivid picture of Metropolitan Laurus’ life and personality, which he witnessed from the time of his early youth. All were grateful for the opportunity to get to know Metropolitan Laurus a little better. After a short break, Archimandrite Luke (Murianka) gave a tour of some of the buildings on the Monastery grounds, including Holy Trinity Cathedral, the baptistery, and the monastery print shop. He spoke about the meaning of the church icons, the history of Holy Trinity Monastery, and shared his thoughts on its historical and current mission. Afterward, the group went to the cemetery church to read the rule for Holy Communion, which was done partly in Slavonic and partly in English. The group enjoyed supper in the Monastery refectory with the monks, and then attended the all-night vigil. Some of the participants sang in the choir with the monks and seminarians, while others stood and prayed for the entire service.
The following morning, on the Sunday of the Blind Man, the group attended the Divine Liturgy and many approached the chalice. After lunch, many attended an optional presentation by a representative of the Eastern American Diocese Youth Association, Katherine Rimakis. Ms. Rimakis gave some recommendations and guidelines for better organization of church youth events and communication between parish youth groups.
Afterward, all went to Glimmerglass Park on Lake Otsego for a bar-b-que. By God’s Providence, the clouds cleared and the weather was beautiful. There was a soccer game, Frisbee, swimming, and singing songs. All were very grateful to God for this time together. The group returned to Holy Trinity Monastery in time to attend Small Compline. After the service, all attended a bonfire on the Monastery property. Many talented individuals played guitar and sang songs, including traditional Russian and Cossack songs, Irish ballads, American spirituals, and popular music. All enjoyed listening and eating s’mores.
The next morning after liturgy and breakfast, the group attended a discussion on Orthodox Spirituality with comments on monasticism and marriage by Hieromonk Cyprian (Alexandrou), the Holy Trinity Seminary Dean of Students and also Instructor of New Testament Greek. After the talk, the participants went on a tour of the icon studio with iconographer Monk Theophan. Then they visited the museum, guided by Michael Perekrestov. This officially concluded the Memorial Day Weekend retreat.
Many voiced the hope that this will become an annual event.
On behalf of all the participants of the Memorial Day Weekend Youth retreat, Archimandrite Luke and the event organizers would like to especially thank Bishop Gabriel of Montreal and Canada, Archpriest George Lagodich, and the clergy and parishioners of St. Nicholas Cathedral in Montreal, Quebec for a generous donation, which helped greatly to make everything possible. We would also like to thank all those who contributed in any way, including our local Orthodox sisters who baked delicious home-made sweets for the group.
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On Sunday June 7, our Monastery celebrated the Feast of Pentecost. We had the joy of having His Grace Bishop George of Mayfield preside at the services. To the many pilgrims who took part in the services we wholeheartedly wish them God's blessing.
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On Sunday May 31, Holy Trinity Seminary had its 61st Commencement for the graduating class of 2009. For a detailed news report see the Seminary website.
May God bless the graduating students so that this experience of theirs of not only learning but living and taking part in the services and life of the monastery and seminary may bear abundant spiritual fruit.
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On July 1, 2009, Elder Joseph of Vatopaidi, Mount Athos, reposed in the
Lord. His
grace filled appearance in blessed repose is a testament to how God
blesses those who sincerely struggle to live a life of holiness. He was
one of the two remaining disciples of the Holy Elder Joseph the
Hesychast. He arrived in Mount Athos, New Skete, in 1946 from Cyprus.
In New Skete he joined the brotherhood of Elder Joseph the Hesychast
and there began his ascetic struggles. From 1987 he lived in the
Monastery of Vatopaidi where he reposed.
His deep humility and love for our Savior, his patristic understanding
of the monastic life shone forth as a bright light and example for the
monastic community of Mount Athos. His words touched the hearts of many
and his books, "Elder Joseph the Hesychast: Struggles, Experiences,
Teachings" and "Obedience is life: Elder Ephraim of Katounakia" are a
testament of his rich experience of the grace of God. May God grant
rest to his soul and may his life be an inspiration and guide to all of
us for a life
in Christ.
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The boys participated in the life of Holy Trinity Monastery, attending services daily and working with the monks at various obediences. Some of the obediences included serving in the altar, painting icons, working in the vegetable and flower gardens, helping in the kitchen and bakery, and cleaning the Seminary dormatory.
There were many special features of the program as well. The group met with a priest including Rev. Victor Boldewskul and Rev. Alexei Pjawka for spiritual instruction and discussion daily. The boys learned about the fundamentals of Orthodoxy, the lives of saints and were exposed to the living heiritage of Holy Trinity Monastery including its spiritual connection with the Pochaev monastery. Archimandrite Luke, the Abbot of Holy Trinity Monastery, met with the boys and spoke on special topics. Two of the boys received instruction in iconography from Monk Theophan. Fr. Boris Henderson, the Summer Youth Program advisor, came from Colorado to do a woodworking project with all the boys. They all participated in campfires and lenten barbeques, swimming in the monastery lakes, sports, and fishing. One special fishing trip was led by Protodeacon Victor Lochmatow. Fr. Victor brought the boys to a lake where Metropolitan Laurus of blessed memory would sometimes retreat for relaxation. They rented a boat and had a lenten cookout on an island. The boys also went to Howe Caverns and the Baseball Hall of Fame in nearby Cooperstown.
Abbot Luke, Fr. Boris, and the planners and organizers of the Summer Youth Program would like to thank all those who donated to the program. Together they made the program affordable and accessible to people would otherwise not be able to attend, and contributed greatly to the program's success.
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The Synod of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, at its meeting held on April 22/May 5, 2009 established a Commission for Dialog with the Orthodox Church in America.
The first preparatory meeting of this Commission
was held at Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville, New York on July 22/August 4 and July 23/August 5, 2009.
Participating were: His Grace. Bishop George of Mayfield,Chairman; Archimandrite Luke; Protopriest David Moser, Priest Peter Jackson, and Mitred Protopriest Alexander Lebedeff, Secretary.
This Preparatory Meeting discussed a
variety of proposed Agenda items for the future Joint
Meetings of the Commissions and made assignments to the Commission members for the drafting of position papers to be discussed at the next meeting of the Commission, scheduled for November.
A presentation on the preliminary work of the Commission will be made at the next meeting of the Synod of Bishops of the Church Abroad.
The members of the Commission expressed their
gratitude to Archimandrite Luke and the members of the brotherhood of Holy Trinity Monastery for organizing and hosting the meeting and for their warm hospitality.
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On July 26, Andrei V. Psarev was ordained to the diaconate by His Eminence Metropolitan Hilarion in Jackson, NJ.
May our Lord Jesus Christ grant the newly ordained Father Andrei His grace to serve the Church with zeal and love. Axios!
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This year for the feast of the Transfiguration of our Lord we were
honored to have present with us the Myrrh Streaming Iveron Icon of the
Mother of God from our parish in Hawaii. Reader Nektarios, the
protector of the icon, arrived before Vigil with the icon. After
Compline on the day of the Feast a moleben and akathist were served
before the icon. The following morning Archimandrite Luke served
Liturgy for the nuns of the community of St. Elizabeth with the icon
present. After the Liturgy the icon left for our parish in Albany and
then to Boston.
The faithful witnessed the holy myrrh streaming
from the icon of the Mother of God, which formed and continued to
stream collecting on the cotton wool below the icon. At various times
the myrrh would flow outside the frame and the faithful would anoint
themselves with the myrrh. This inspiring event greatly enhanced the
solemnity of the Feast and was was spiritually uplifting for the
Brotherhood and all the faithful. To read more about this icon go to
this site.
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On the Feast of the Dormition, Holy Trinity Monastery celebrated with two liturgies; one in English at the chapel of Dormition in the cemetery and one in Slavonic in the main cathedral. Both were attended by many pilgrims. After the service in the main cathedral there was a procession with the Pochaev icon of the Mother of God to the cemetery chapel where a moleben was served.
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On the feast day of the holy Martyrs Florus and Laurus, on Monday August 31 a pannykhida was served for Metropolitan Laurus at his grave side. We are grateful to Metropolitan Hilarion, Archibishop Mark and Bishop John who were are able to come on this day and pray for the repose of our memorable Father Vladyka Laurus.
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On the following before the liturgy, Sergei Jakubov, a graduate of Holy Trinity Seminary, was tonsured a reader and during the liturgy Deacon Andrei Rodenko was awarded the double orarion for his service to the Church. We would like to thank the clergy and faithful who attended the services and prayed with us and wish the newly tonsured reader Sergei and Deacon Andrei many years of service to the Church.
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The myrrh streaming icon of the Mother of God "Softener of Evil Hearts" was at the monastery from September 25 to September 29. Read here for more details.
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Full-color 12”x16” Orthodox wall calendar for 2010. The Calendar features beautiful views of Holy Trinity Monastery with scenes from the lives of the Monastery and Seminary communities. Each month includes listings of feasts, non-fasting weeks, commemorative days, and fasting days. Also featured are feast days celebrated locally at Holy Trinity Monastery.
• 14 pages of heavy weight paper
• Languages: English, Russian separate versions
• Size: 12 x 16 inches
• Binding: Spiral with a hanger
• individually wrapped
Now available for order from the Monastery bookstore. Price: $19.50 plus shipping.
Individual Orders send to : bookstore@jordanville.org
Bulk Orders send to: press@jordanville.org
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The second preparatory meeting of this Commission
was held at Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville, New York on November 17 and November 18 , 2009.
Participating
were: His Grace. Bishop George of Mayfield,Chairman; Archimandrite
Luke; Protopriest David Moser, Priest Peter Jackson, and Mitred
Protopriest Alexander Lebedeff, Secretary.
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On November 22, 2009 the Church of St. Job of Pochaev was consecrated by His Grace Bishop George of Mayfield to the joy of all the brotherhood. Please click here for more info.
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On Monday December 7, Protopriest George Larin celebrated his 40th anniversary to the priesthood at Holy Trinity Monastery. It was here forty years ago that Fr George received his ordination by his beloved Vladyka Laurus. On the occasion of his anniversary, His Eminence, Metropolitan Hilarion sent a letter of congratulations for his service to the Church. Archimandrite Luke, Abbot of Holy Trinity Monastery, concelebrated at the Divine Liturgy and at the end of the Liturgy wished him and his Matushka, Katherine, God's blessing and many years.
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Archimandrite Joasaph peacefully reposed early this morning at a hospital in Boston after a period of a few months struggling with cancer. He endured this cross with patience and with hope and trust in God's will, preparing his soul for the true and blessed eternal life.
On this day the Church commemorates the memory of the venerable Savvas the Sanctified of Jerusalem. Through the prayers of the Venerable Savvas and all the saints may the Lord grant rest with the righteous to the soul of His servant, Archimandrite Joasaph. Memory Eternal!
The Funeral will be held at Holy Trinity Monastery on Monday December 21 at 1PM.
Please click here for more information
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On Monday, December 21, the funeral of Archimandrite Joasaph was held
at Holy Trinity Monastery presided by Bishop Gabriel of Montreal and
Canada, Bishop Peter of Cleveland and Bishop George of Mayfield. Numerous
clergy and laity paid their last respects to Archimandrite Joasaph and
prayed for his repose.
Archimandrite Joasaph touched the lives of many by his love for the
Church and zeal to help others, both as a layperson while involved in
teaching and even more so as a priest who was entrusted with the
leadership of the Russian Ecclesiastical Mission in Jerusalem.
He left a bright career in academia to serve more wholeheartedly the
Church and although the Lord took Him after one year since his
ordination to the priesthood it was as if his desire to serve was
fulfilled. Archimandrite Luke told him a few days before he reposed
that
God looks at the intention of the person and counts it as if it were
fulfilled.
The last few months of pain and suffering made Fr Joasaph concentrate
even more on preparing his soul to go to Christ by sincere confession,
repentance, communion of the Holy Mysteries, prayer and trust in God's
will and providence.
May his sacrifice of a worldly career, his love and sincerity for
people, his patient enduring of his sickness, his desire to serve the
Church inspire us and warm our hearts who so often get involved with
the cares of the world and forget about the one thing needful - to
prepare our souls for the life to come.
To the family of Fr Joasaph we offer our condolences but we also say
that blessed are you to have a son, a brother, who was granted a
blessed ending with hope in God's mercy. For the cancer of the body
brings forth a renewal of the soul unto salvation when borne with
patience.
May our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ grant rest to the soul of His servant, Archimandrite Joasaph among the righteous.
