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New York’s St Nicholas Patriarchal Cathedral commemorates its first Rector, Hieromartyr Alexander Hotovitsky
On Sunday, 23 August, the clergy and parishioners of St Nicholas Patriarchal Cathedral in New York (USA) prayerfully commemorated the anniversary of the martyrdom of the church’s founder, builder and first rector, Protopresbyter Alexander Hotovitsky, who reposed in the Lord on 19 August 1937. He was glorified by the Council of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church in 1994.
The Divine Liturgy was celebrated by the cathedral’s rector, His Grace Bishop Matthew of Sourozh, who is currently administering the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA and Canada. Concelebrating with the hierarch were Hegumen Nikodim (Balyasnikov), Acting Chancellor of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA; Archpriest Mikhail Kapchits, Dean of the Eastern States; and the cathedral clergy, Protopriest Igor Panachev and Deacon John Peters.
Following the Communion of the Holy Mysteries of Christ, the hierarch, clergy and faithful offered a prayer of glorification to Hieromartyr Protopresbyter Alexander before his icon, the website of the Diocese of Sourozh reports.
In his address at the conclusion of the service, Bishop Matthew congratulated the clergy and parishioners of the cathedral on Sunday and on the continuing days of the celebration of the Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord. He also recalled the life and example of Hieromartyr Alexander Hotovitsky, saying: “Throughout all the stages of his virtuous life, he sought to transfigure his soul and the lives of his flock by the uncreated Light of our Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ. The crown of his labours and many years of ministry in North America, Finland and Russia was his martyrdom during the persecution of the Russian Church.”
The bishop expressed his gratitude for the efforts of the cathedral’s clergy, volunteers and parishioners to preserve the memory of Fr Alexander in the church he had built. These efforts are also evidenced by the growth in recent years of the number of parishioners in the English-speaking community, which is pastorally cared for by Hieromonk John (Scheffler).
Bishop Matthew wished the clergy and faithful of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA the prayerful intercession of Hieromartyr Alexander Hotovitsky in their service for the benefit of the Russian Orthodox Church.
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