Thursday, May 25, the great feast of the Ascension of the Lord, marked the fifth anniversary of the blessed repose of Protopresbyter Valery Lukianov, longtime rector of St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in Howell, NJ. Parish and local clergy gathered to honor the feast and pray for the eminent cleric’s soul.

Celebrating the festal Divine Liturgy was cathedral rector Archpriest Serge Lukianov, co-served by Archpriests Vasily Andrejuk, Luka Novakovic, and Boris Slootsky (cathedral clerics), Abbots Eutychius (Dovgan; abbot of St. Nicholas Skete in Freehold, NJ) and Arseny (Manko; rector of Sts. Cosmas & Damian Church in Passaic, NJ), and Priest Anthony Williams and Protodeacon Paul Drozdowski (cathedral clerics).

Upon conclusion of Liturgy, the clergy and faithful went in procession to the grave of Fr. Valery, located behind the altar, where a litia for the departed was served.

After the service, a memorial repast was served in the parish hall.

Memory Eternal to Protopresbyter Valery!