On Friday, July 5, the 9th Friday after Holy Pascha and feast of the Kursk Root Icon of the Mother of God of the Sign, Archpriest George Larin reposed in the Lord. He was 89 years old.
Fr. George was born on October 5, 1934 in Shanghai, China, where he served in the altar with the then-young Holy Hierarch and Wonderworker John (Maximovitch), who later sent him to Holy Trinity Seminary in Jordanville, NY. Here, he would come into close contact with Archbishop Averky (Taushev; +1976), Metropolitan Laurus (Škurla; +2008), the monks, professors, and others glorious pillars of Diasporan Russia.
Having graduated seminary in 1967 and married Catherine Izmestieff, Fr. George was ordained a deacon in 1968 and a priest in 1969, attached to Holy Virgin Protection Church in Nyack, NY, where he was an assistant to Archpriest Seraphim Slobodskoy. After the latter’s repose in 1971, Fr. George was assigned rector of that parish and the principal of the Russian Parochial School attached to it. Under Fr. George, a large parish hall was built, including classrooms for the school, and a belfry, blessed in the year of the millennium of the Baptism of Rus’.
When Fr. George retired in 2015, he remained pastor emeritus of Holy Protection parish, and continued as he was able to nourish his spiritual children. In December of 2019, the parish celebrated the 50th anniversary of his pastoral service, and he was honored with the highest award of the Russian Church Abroad – the Synodal Order of the Kursk Root Icon of the Mother of God of the Sign, 1st Class.
From the very beginning of his priestly service, Fr. George zealously labored in the chancery of the Eastern American Diocese, helping Metropolitan Philaret (Voznesensky; +1985), Archbishop Nikon (Rklitsky; +1976), and their successors, serving there for over 40 years. From 1990 to 2009, he served as secretary of the diocese.
Additionally, Fr. George, having earned the trust of the hierarchy, was more than once assigned by the Synod of Bishops to various obediences in the Church. For example, in 1995, when the Russian Church Abroad celebrated the 700th anniversary of the appearance of the Kursk Root Icon, Fr. George was appointed guardian of the wonderworking image for the duration of its jubilee celebrations. That year, accompanying the holy icon, he visited every corner of the Russian Diaspora, bringing its people comfort, joy, and the blessing of the Most Blessed Mother of God.
Fr. George stood out for his simple and firm faith and obedience to the Holy Church. Fully trusting God’s providence, he, sensing the Right Hand of the Most High upon him, always preserved calmness of spirit in his service.
In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be made to Holy Virgin Protection Church and Holy Trinity Seminary.
Memory Eternal to the newly reposed Archpriest George!
Schedule of Services for the Departed
Holy Virgin Protection Church – 51 Prospect Street, Nyack, NY 10960
Friday, July 5 at 6:00 PM – Panihida.
Saturday, July 6 at 5:00 PM – Panihida.
Sunday, July 7 at 9:30 AM – Divine Liturgy. Panihida to follow. At 6:00 PM, Matins for the Departed.
Monday, July 8 at 9:30 AM – Divine Liturgy. Funeral to follow. Gold vestments.
Tuesday, July 9 at 10:00 AM – Burial following Liturgy in Holy Trinity Monastery:
Holy Trinity Monastery
1407 Robinson Road
Jordanville, NY 13361
