On Tuesday, March 22, when the Holy Church commemorated the Holy Forty Martyrs of Sebaste, the clergy and faithful of St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in Howell, NJ also marked the namesday of the ever-memorable Protopresbyter Valery Lukianov, the cathedral’s builder and long-time rector.

Cathedral rector Archpriest Serge Lukianov celebrated the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts, co-served by diocesan clergy:

• Archpriest Mark Shinn (rector of St. Andrew Naval Cathedral in Philadelphia, PA)
• Archpriest Luka Novaovic (rector of St. Michael Church in Philadelphia)
• Archpriest Zoran Radovic (rector of St. George Serbian Church in Elizabeth, NJ)
• Archpriest Boris Slootsky (cathedral cleric)
• Archpriest George Zelenin (rector of St. Michael Church in Wayne, NJ)
• Archpriest Vasily Zelenyuk (cleric of Holy New Martyrs & Confessors of Russia Church in Brooklyn, NY)
• Archpriest Dimitri Jakimowicz (rector of St. Nicholas Church in Stratford, CT)
• 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), and
• Priest Anthony Williams and Protodeacon Paul Drozdowski (cathedral clerics).

Despite its being a workday, a multitude of parishioners and guests came to pray for the soul of their longtime rector. Many communed of Christ’s Holy Mysteries.

Upon completion of Liturgy, Fr. Serge called on everyone to preserve unity within the Russian Orthodox Church. The clergy and faithful then went to Fr. Valery’s resting place behind the cathedral altar. Fr. Valery’s son, Fr. Serge, led the panihida.

Upon return to the cathedral, kolivo and the traditional baked "lark buns" were blessed.

The parish sisterhood prepared a lenten memorial luncheon in the cathedral hall for the clergy, parishioners, and guests.