Church to mark end of renovations
St. Mary's Church remains part of long tradition in Jackson
BY DAVE BENJAMIN
Staff Writer

On behalf of the congregation of St. Mary's Russian Orthodox Church, Jackson, Archpriest Father John Prokopiuk expressed gratitude for support received during a church rebeautification project.

There is joy in the air and in the hearts of the members of St. Mary's Russian Orthodox Church.

The church, on Cassville Road (Route 571) in Jackson, stands on a small hill within the grounds of St. Vladimir's Russian Orthodox Cemetery. After more than three years of renovations and a lot of hard work, the church's 60 members will take time to celebrate the completion of the church's rebeautification in a special service to be held at 10 a.m. Sept. 23.

"At that time our church, both the interior and exterior, will be blessed," said John Morvay, protodeacon. "The renovations began in June 2003 and were completed in August."

In 2003 at the annual church meeting, Archpriest Father John Prokopiuk, rector, the spiritual leader of the church, and the church council recommended undertaking a renovation project. The project would contain structural repairs and aesthetic changes.

PHOTOS BY DAVE BENJAMIN

The rebeautification renovations include a new roof, three new gold leaf cupolas, a new mosaic over the entrance doorway, new liturgical items, a new altar, a new side altar and a new iconostasis (a screen containing religious icons).

During the second phase of the project, Father John and his wife, Ludmila, traveled to Moscow and Sofrino in Russia to purchase the new iconostasis and other items, including an altar table, oblation table, new banners, a seven-light candelabra, a lampadas (oil lamp) for the Iconostasis and the memorial boards, which hang in the church.

"The iconostasis was made in Moscow by 3,000 workers," said Matushka (the priest's wife) Ludmila. "It was brought here in pieces and reassembled."

The renovations also include a new paint job, new oak wood floors, new air conditioning and heating units and new mahogany doors.

When asked how much the renovations cost, Father John hesitated and then responded, "It was expensive."

PHOTOSBY DAVEBENJAMIN St. Mary's Russian Orthodox Church, Jackson, recently underwent a church rebeautification project.

Father John said he was extremely grateful to the church community.

"The entire parish of St. Mary's Church joins in giving thanks and praise to our Lord Jesus Christ and the Holy Theotokos for sending so many good and generous people to help us with this great project," he said. "We extend our deep gratitude to our parishioners, benefactors and friends who were so kind and benevolent in helping us beautify and rededicate our most beloved St. Mary's Church to the glory of God."

Looking back at the history of the church, it was through the efforts of the Ladies Auxil-iary of the First Branch of Roova (a mutual aid society that supported Russian immigrants) that St. Mary's Church foundation and cornerstone were laid in 1940.

By 1951 a new chapel was completed and Father Peter Popoff, a New York priest, was appointed to serve the young parish. He came to Jackson with his wife, Matushka Tatiana. Following his arrival, the first church council was elected to serve the parish.

St. Mary's Russian Orthodox Church was chartered in February 1952 and today is a unique and beautiful representation of the Moscow style of architecture.

St. Mary's Church was dedicated in 1955 and the chapel became officially recognized as St. Mary's Russian Orthodox Church.

In 1958, with the help of the parish sisterhood, a plot of land was purchased in order to build a parish home. This rectory was completed and blessed by Archbishop Dimitry Magan and in 1968 the church was enlarged and blessed again.

During the 1970s the church was served by Father Fedor Gorb, Father Peter Popoff, Father George Lukashuk, Father Michael Dudas and Father Aleksy Znosko-Borow-ski, who were each appointed on a temporary basis.

Father John, Matushka Ludmila and their young daughter, Anna, arrived in April 1986. The family was warmly greeted by the church community and quickly settled into the parish home.

Parish life was greatly revived when Father John arrived on the scene. Church services were celebrated regularly, as well as many other services, which contributed to church life. There were weddings, baptisms and funerals.

The parish sisterhood established the social tradition of a coffee hour after the Sunday liturgy.

In time a new church council was elected and work began on writing and adopting parish statutes, which were later adopted and approved by Archbishop Peter. This action provided a strong administrative foundation for the future of the parish.

Standing outside the front door of St. Mary's Russian Orthodox Church and looking at the surrounding St. Vladimir's cemetery, the graves of many famous and historic Russian personalities can be seen.

Next to the church is the grave of Archbishop Dimitry Magan, who lies next to the grave of General Anton I (Anton Denikin), the supreme commander of the White Armies, who fought against the communists. Denikin's body was recently returned to Russia.

The grave of Russian composer Alexander Gretchaninoff, who composed many pieces which are sung by the church choir, can also be found in the cemetery along with the graves of many Russian conductors and clergy.