Death of Archpriest Sergei Petrov

Last week, on the feastday of the Lord's Circumcision and memory of Saint Basil the Great, Archpriest Sergei Petrov, oldest priest in the Russian Othodox Church, passed away at his home in Mansonville. Father Petrov was 93 years old. Father Sergei served the Church for many decades. Before his ordination as a deacon, at the age of 60, he was the warden (starosta) for more than 30 years at the Saint Nicholas parish with Vladika Vitaly. Everyone knew him as an extremely hard worker; much of what now exists at the Holy Transfiguration skete in Mansonville was built by him personally or by his direct participation. He also did a great deal of work for the church in Montreal.

During the tribulations that were raised against the Church Abroad, Fr. Sergei, without vacillating, stayed true to Metropolitan Vitaliy and his torturous path. Thus,  Fr. Sergei fulfilled the Apostle's directive which was read at Liturgy on the day of his death: "Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ" (Col. 2:8)

The funeral service and interment of Fr. Sergei was performed on Friday at the Holy Transfiguration skete. Bishop Vladimir officiated at Fr.Sergei's service - concelebrated with priest Andrew Lomov and deacon Alexei Fimin. Fr. Sergei's two sons and daughter were present at the service as well as his grandchildren and other relatives. After the service the casket was taken out of the church, placed on a sleigh, and it was driven to the cemetery on the snow. To carry the casket in the dark and through the snow was dangerous. During the interment, the bell in the bell-tower, built by the priest for the skete, rang continuously. With the temperautre at -30°C (-22°F) the priest was buried next to the wife he loved so dearly-Matushka Lidia.

Many Russian Orthodox people in Montreal and in the whole world as well, with all sincerity, will say about the priest, that this was a kind and honest man, truly one who lays down his life for those close to him-a true priest and a kind shepherd. Everyone remembers him this way. And we believe that he will stand before the Lord exactly this way. Memory eternal to the newly-departed servant of God Archpriest Sergei!