An American with an un-American destiny

Translation provided by Holy Epiphany parishoners

When a person departs for ever, one suddenly begins to see him more vividly and more clearly; secondary traits fade, primary traits remain. Archimandrite Joasaph McLellan died on December 18th at the age of 47 in Boston. Seven years ago, a friendship began between him and our convent when he started to translate materials for the English version of our website. An unusual combination: an American, a graduate of the Holy Trinity Theological Seminary in Jordanville, a choir director, a Ph.D. in Slavic linguistics, an educator in universities in Missouri and Princeton... and during the last year of his life – a novice, a hierodeacon, an archimandrite, the Head of the Russian Ecclesiastical Mission in Jerusalem. An odd fate? No, it is simply that he searched always and in everything not for his own will, but for God's Will.  He truly possessed the monastic virtue of obedience.

Back then, in December 2002, at the request of Archpriest Roman Lukianov, the rector of the Boston parish, Reader Joseph McLellan wrote to us. From the very first receipt of his letters we were astonished – the Lord had sent us an unusual helper indeed! Strange as it might sound, but from this native-born American we learned a lot about Russia and made contact with her old church culture. For example, in explaining why he used so many words that sounded unusual to a contemporary Russian person, he shared memories about the elderly monks of the Holy Trinity Monastery and about teachers in the Seminary in Jordanville, who were representatives of the first and second waves of emigration. The unity of Russian Church was a subject of his most fervent prayers. He held Vladyka Laurus in deep and reverent esteem and called him his Avva. Better yet – let his letters speak – letters which might be called a chronicle. Click here to read more...

BOSTON: December 18, 2009
Archimandrite Joasaph, Head of the Russian Ecclesiastical Mission in Jerusalem, Reposes In the Lord


Archimandrite Joasaph (McLellan), Head of the Russian Ecclesiastical Mission in Jerusalem, died peacefully this morning in a Boston hospital.

Holy Trinity Seminary Choir visits Holy Theophany Parish in Boston

With the blessing of Archimandrite Luke, the Holy Trinity Seminary Choir made its first visit of the 2009-2010 school year. By the invitation of Priest Victor Boldewskul, the choir returned to the Holy Epiphany Parish in Roslindale, Massachusetts on December 5-6 to sing the Sunday Vigil and Liturgy.

Click here to read more...