Saturday, May 25, marked the sixth 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 Divine Liturgy was cathedral rector Archpriest Serge Lukianov, co-served by:

• Archpriest Vasily Andrejuk (cathedral cleric)
• Archimandrite Gabriel (Pigarev; cleric of Holy New Martyrs of Russia Church in Brooklyn, NY)
• Archpriest Luka Novakovic (cathedral cleric)
• Archpriest Zoran Radovic (rector of St. George Serbian Church in Elizabeth, NJ)
• Archpriest David Straut (rector of St. Elizabeth the New-Martyr Church in Rocky Hill, NJ)
• Archpriest Mark Burachek (dean of the Hudson Valley)
• Archpriest Petro Kunitsky (cleric of Holy New Martyrs Church)
• Archpriest Boris Slootsky (cathedral cleric)
• Archpriest Alexandre Antchoutine (dean of New York City & Long Island)
• Archpriest Paul Ivanov (rector of Holy Myrrhbearers Church in Brooklyn)
• Abbot Arseny (Manko; rector of Sts. Cosmas & Damian Church in Passaic, NJ)
• Archpriest Leonid Goferman (rector of Holy Virgin Protection Church in New Brunswick, NJ)
• Archpriest Serge Ledkovsky (deputy rector of St. Vladimir Memorial Church in Jackson, NJ)
• Priest Anthony Williams (cathedral cleric).
• Protodeacon Paul Drozdowski (cathedral cleric)
• Deacon Alexis Golubov (cleric of St. Nicholas Patriarchal Cathedral in New York City)
• Deacon Alexander Sarandinaki (cathedral cleric), and
• Deacon Dimitry Lisan (cathedral cleric).

Liturgy was sung beautifully by the Youth Choir "Pohvala" under the direction of Gregory Ivanov.

Upon conclusion of Liturgy, the clergy and faithful went in procession to the grave of Fr. Valery, located behind the altar, where a panihida was served. Fr. Serge greeted the clergy, especially Fr. Mark Burachek on the occasion of the upcoming 35th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood, and presented him a jeweled cross and an icon of St. Alexander Nevsky.

After the service, a memorial repast was served in the parish hall, organized by the sisterhood. Fr. Serge thanked the clergy and members of the youth choir with special gifts in Fr. Valery’s memory.

Memory Eternal to Protopresbyter Valery!