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The Governor of Colorado
Decrees September 15th “All Russian Saints Day”
Metropolitan Laurus Leads the Celebration of the 50th Anniversary
of the Parish of All Russian Saints in Denver, Colorado. The
Governor Issues a Special Proclamation on the Anniversary.The
Governor of the State of Colorado, in connection with the 50th
anniversary of the parish of All Russian Saints in Denver, declared
September 15th the “Day of All Russian Saints.”
In 1952, 50 years ago, a small group of Russians in the city
of Denver, Colorado, decided to establish a parish in honor
of All Russian Saints. A Russian stoneworker, carpenter, a former
lighthouse attendant, a translator, a retired farmer, an editor,
an engineer, a retired soldier and a few other Russians tirelessly
set about purchasing and refurbishing a private house into an
Orthodox church.
The first rector of the church was Protopriest Panteleimon Khaplanov.
The future caretaker of the Kursk-Root Hermitage of the Mother
of God, Fr. Boris Kritzky served there over the course of 10
years.
By 1966, the parish grew, a piece of property was purchased,
and with the help of the parishioners, the church was moved
to the new location. All the icons on the iconostasis were painted
by the Pskov icon-painter Lev Luminaga.
On 13 September, the First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox
Church Outside of Russia, His Eminence Metropolitan Laurus arrived
in Denver. On Friday evening and Saturday morning, Vladyka Metropolitan
participated in services, which Fr. Boris Henderson, the rector
of the parish, conducted.
By Saturday vigil, the Ruling Bishop of the Western American
Diocese, Bishop Kyrill, the former rector of the church, Protopriest
Peter Burlakov and Hieromonk Ambrosius (Young) and the dean
of the Northwest Deanery of the Western American Diocese, Fr.
Alexei Kotar came as well.
On Sunday, 15 September, divine liturgy was held followed by
a procession of the Cross and a prayer of supplication to All
Russian Saints. An anniversary reception was held at the local
hall during which the history of the parish was outlined and
greetings were read.
The Colorado Governor Proclamation can be found here:
http://www.rocadenver.org/goldenj/Proclamation.gif
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