A New Cleric of the Vicariate is Introduced at the Brooklyn Cathedral

On December 3, the 26th Sunday after Pentecost, a new clergyman of the Slavic Orthodox Vicariate was introduced at the Brooklyn Cathedral of St. John the Forerunner & Baptist. 

The Divine Liturgy was led by its Rector, Archpriest Oleksandr Belya.  Concelebrating were Archpriests Boris Babeshko and Vasily Deyak, Fr. Peter Prakaptsou, and  Protodeacons Volodymir Oleynik and George Hero, and the newest clergyman of the Slavic Vicariate, Archpriest Igor Tarasov. 

After the service, the Rector introduced Archpriest Igor. He touched upon the issue of morality in Orthodox families and Orthodox Churches in the modern era. In his sermon Archpriest Oleksandr emphasized that, “to show kindness and mercy, to give a helping hand to your neighbor, to guide you on the path of truth and salvation, is the calling of every Christian, and even more so of a clergyman.  Unfortunately, this is not always observed, but if we look not at people, but at Christ, who is the Way, the Truth and the Life, then everything will go in the right direction.  Confirmation of this is our Slavic Orthodox Vicariate, which over the course of several years has received excellent clergy from various Orthodox jurisdictions.  Today we welcome the Very Rev. Archpriest Igor Tarasov into our ranks.  Fr. Igor has a higher education in the legal and theological fields. He has two degrees – one is Doctor of Law and another is Doctor of Theology. The Lord, seeing not only his wonderful mind, but also his kind Christian heart, called him to the field of pastoral service.  While serving in the Russian Orthodox Church, Fr. Igor served as Dean of the Eastern States and a manager of the affairs of the Patriarchal parishes in the USA. I wish Father Igor and all the clergy, singers and parishioners many years of joy!”