Nanuet, New York, June 4, 2018
A new monument to St. Seraphim of Sarov has been installed and opened on the grounds of the Novo-Diveevo Monastery of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia (ROCOR) in Nanuet, New York.
The festive opening event yesterday was dedicated to the anniversary of the restoration of canonical communion between the Russian Orthodox Church and ROCOR in May 2007, reports TASS.
The monument was installed across from the entrance to the monastery’s Church of St. Seraphim of Sarov. The church houses the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God from Optina Monastery, a cross from the Ipatiev House in Ekaterinburg, where the last royal family of Russia was martyred, and two icons of Christ that had belonged to Tsar Nicholas II.
Met. Tikhon (left), Bp. John (center), Met. Hilarion (right), Bp. Irinej (behind Met. Hilarion The opening and blessing of the monument was celebrated by His Eminence Metropolitan Hilarion, the First Hierarch of ROCOR, His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon of the Orthodox Church in America, His Grace Bishop John of Naro-Fominsk, the administrator of the Patriarchal Parishes in America, and His Grace Bishop Irinej of the Serbian Diocese of Eastern America, and was attended by other representatives of various Orthodox communities in America, diplomats, and cultural figures.
It was held following the Divine Liturgy and a procession around the convent with the Vladimir Icon, which was a gift from Elder Nektary of Optina to the convent’s founder Archbishop Andrei of Rockland, reports the monastery’s website.
“Once, still during his lifetime, St. Seraphim of Sarov addressed the Orthodox and said that when we have a disturbance in our heart, we can go to him even after his death at his grave and speak with him,” Met. Hilarion reflected, “And now the people can come here, sit in quiet and pray, and ask for help, as to the living.”
The new monument is a gift from Russia, from the “Dialogue of Cultures—One World” foundation, with the aim of strengthening the spiritual ties between the Moscow Patriarchate and ROCOR, as well as cultural ties between Russia and the United States.
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The Novo-Diveevo Convent in New York was founded in the 1950s. In one of its churches is housed a portrait of St. Seraphim of Sarov from Diveevo Monastery in Russia that had been painted already during his lifetime. The Royal Martyrs prayed before this painting in 1903.
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