Church of the Nativity of the Mother of God consecrated

Albany, NY (ROCOR-EAD) - Metropolitan Hilarion led the Great Consecration of the Church of the Nativity of the Mother of God.

On Sunday the 5th and Monday the 6th of September, the First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad, His Eminence Hilarion, Metropolitan of Eastern America and New York, led the festal divine services on the occasion of the Great Consecration of the Church of the Nativity of the Mother of God in Albany, NY.

Construction on the church began in September 2004, with the blessing of the ever-memorable First Hierarch of ROCOR, His Eminence, Metropolitan Laurus, who also performed the Lesser Consecration in September 2005. The church is currently being frescoed by Archpriest Theodore Jurewicz.

On Monday morning, the First Hierarch performed the Great Consecration of the church, followed by the Divine Liturgy. His Eminence was co-served by Archbishop Justinian of Naro-Fominsk and Their Graces, Bishops Gabriel of Montreal and Canada, Peter of Cleveland, George of Mayfield, and Jerome of Manhattan, as well as a multitude of clergy from across America. The All-Night Vigil was adorned with the singing of the diocesan youth choir, while the Liturgy was sung by the parish choir. The Kursk Root Icon of the Mother of God, the Protectress of the Russian Diaspora, was also present in church.

During the Small Entrance, in accordance with the resolution of the ROCOR Synod of Bishops, Metropolitan Hilarion bestowed awards upon several clerics of the Eastern American Diocese:

For his dedicated service to God’s Church the construction of the new church, Archpriest Wsewolod Drobot (rector of the Nativity of the Mother of God Church) was awarded the right to wear the second cross.

For his dedicated 30-year service to God’s Church, Archpriest Michael Fritz (cleric of the Nativity of the Mother of God Church) was awarded the right to wear the epigonation (palitsa).

For his dedicated service to God’s Church and his labors caring for the souls of his flock, Priest Brendan Crowley (rector of St. Nicholas Church in Springfield, CT) was awarded the right to wear the gold pectoral cross.

Protodeacon Nicholas Drobot (cleric of the Church of the Holy New Martyrs and Confessors of Russia in Norwich, CT) was awarded the right to wear the kamilavka.

Metropolitan Hilarion also ordained Deacon Andrei Rudenko to the priesthood.

Upon completion of the Liturgy, the First Hierarch addressed the gathered faithful and congratulated them on the joyous occasion of the Great Consecration of their church. His Eminence also thanked the rector and all those who labored on the construction of this marvelous church.

Photos from the consecration available here.