Cross Keys, Virginia, November 3, 2020
Photo: synod.com
The Eastern American Diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia celebrated the Ecclesiastical New Year this new year by launching the new phase of a rapidly growing community in Virginia, with the ground breaking of a new church construction site in Cross Keys, Virginia.
The church will be dedicated to the Holy Myrrh-Bearing Women, and will serve the cities of Harrisonburg, Staunton, Waynesboro, and the surrounding counties of the Shenandoah Valley, reports the official ROCOR site.
His Grace Bishop Nicholas of Manhattan broke ground on the 7.9-acre plot on September 14, the Ecclesiastical New Year. “Bishop Nicholas quenched the dry ground with holy water to make this dirt rich in spiritual fruit. His Grace then drove a shovel blade deep into the soil and blessed the new foundation of the church,” the report reads.
The solemn occasion was also blessed with the presence of the wonderworking Kursk Root Icon of the Mother of God, the Protectress of the Russian diaspora.
Construction on the church then began on October 6.
The plans for the new church. Photo: synod.com
The Holy Myrrhbearers Mission was founded in 2014 by Archpriest John Moses and has steadily grown in numbers and spirituality since then. The community currently worships in a rented space in Harrisonburg, but is being pushed out by stricter building codes.
Under the guidance of the current rector, Fr. Gabriel Weller, the parish is actively seeking donations to help build their church. Thus far, the community has raised $28,435 of the necessary $350,000.
As Fr. Gabriel says, donors will become “myrrh-bearers” in their own way.
Donations can be sent to: Holy Myrrhbearers Orthodox Church, P.O. Box 2032, Harrisonburg, VA 22801, or they can be offered online at https://donorbox.org/help-us-build-his-church.
