The First Hierarch in Nyack
On Protection of the Most-Holy Mother of God, Metropolitan Laurus and Bishop Gabriel Led Divine Liturgy at Protection Church in Nyack. The Parish School Celebrated its 50th Anniversary.

The 50th Anniversary of the Parish School in Nyack

After many months of preparation, our parish feast day of the Holy Protection of the Mother of God (Pokrov) finally arrived. This year, the day was made more special by the fact that our parish Russian school in Nyack was celebrating its 50th anniversary. The festive celebrations began on the eve of Pokrov with the greeting of the First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, His Eminence Metropolitan Laurus, who arrived in time for Vigil.

Vladyka Metropolitan Laurus, parish rector and school director mitred Protopriest George Larin, assistant rector Protopriest Elias Gorsky and parish deacon and school dean Dimitri Temidis were joined by many of their cleric brethren from both neighboring and distant parishes: Protopriest Peter Holodny of the Synodal Cathedral of Our Lady of the Sign (a school graduate), Priest Andrei Papkov of Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville (a school graduate and past teacher), Priest Andrei Sommer of the Synodal Cathedral (a teacher), Priest Alexander Botschagow from Holy Fathers Church in New York City, Protodeacon Joseph Jarostchuk from the St. John of Kronstadt Church in Utica and Protodeacon Job Chemerov of St. Sergius Church in Valley Cottage.

At Divine Liturgy they were joined by His Grace Bishop Gabriel of Manhattan, mitred Protopriest Vladimir Doroshkevich of SS Cosmas and Damian Church in Passaic, NJ, Protopriest George Kallaur of Brooklyn, Priest Chad Williams of St. Alexander Nevsky Church in Richmond, ME, Protodeacon Nicolas Mokhoff of the Synodal Cathedral, Deacon Serge Arlievsky of St. Seraphim Church of the Novo Diveevo Convent (a past student) and Deacon Alexandre Antchoutine of Annunciation Church in Flushing. Also present to share in prayer and to congratulate the rector and parishioners were Protopriest Alexei Dimitrieff from Mahopac and Priest George Zelenin and his family from St. Michael's Cathedral in Paterson, NJ.

The Pokrov parish choir sang beautifully under the skilled direction of reader Victor Gonchar. On the feast day, the choir was joined by many wonderful singers from neighboring parishes. The Divine Liturgy concluded with a moleben and procession around the church with countless young children participating--altar boys, junior sisters and many students. Back inside the church, "Eternal memory" resounded for all the reposed founders, teachers, students and benefactors of the school. "Many years" were wished to the current school administration, staff and students. His Eminence Metropolitan Laurus rewarded Matushka Elena A. Slobodskoy, Svetlana A. Umrichin and Tatiana A. Rodzianko for 3 generations of work with the parish schoolchildren.

All clergy and faithful alike were invited to share an abundant and delicious trapeza feast under tents set up on the parish property. Parishioners, alumni and guests all socialized with old friends and classmates. Children enjoyed playing together on the parish playground. Following Father George Larin's opening remarks and reading of various congratulatory messages, Father Andrei Papkov, a alumnus and past teacher, gave a thoughtful speech describing the life work of the reposed Protopriest Seraphim Slobodskoy, parish rector and founder of the parish school. Another guest speaker, Peter I. Afanasenko, Senior Interpreter for the President of the United States, was unfortunately not able to attend the festivities because he had been called into the White House to lead negotiations with Russian President V. Putin.

At the conclusion of the trapeza, all were invited into the parish hall where another guest speaker, longtime Synodal inspector of parochial schools George V. Lukianov spoke on the history of the Nyack school.

Then the youngest students of the school, accompanied by the school choir and musicians, performed a musical version of the K. Chukovsky classic story "Moukha-Tsokotoukha", staged by Matushka Elena A. Slobodskoy. After long rounds of applause for the performers, the guests were greeted by Marina K. Galitzine, current school headmistress. The final word of the day belonged to Matushka E. Slobodskoy. After dedicating 49 1/2 years to the children of the parish school, Matushka thanked everyone, especially remembering those longtime school teachers and workers who have passed on.

In this 50th anniversary year, the Parochial School of the Holy Virgin Protection Church in Nyack has 123 enrolled students, with an additional 26 in preschool. The teaching staff comprises 26 volunteers. The school is one of the largest parochial schools of the Russian diaspora. It accepts not only children of Nyack parishioners, but also children of Russian-speaking families from parishes all over the diocese. Students follow a 15-year course of studies in the Law of God, the Russian language, literature, history, geography and singing. For 50 years the Nyack school continues to stage lavish productions of Russian fairytales for the annual Christmas pageant (Yolka). Today it also sponsors concerts of young musical talents, art exhibitions, themed children's masquerades for Shrovetide, academic competitions in the Law of God and Russian poetry. Our children grow up socializing around the Russian Orthodox Church.

May God grant Father George Larin, Marina K. Galitzine and all our teachers, workers and parents strength to continue their good work for another half century. Many years!
E.T.