The New York herald., 1865-03-03
Interesting Religious Service.

CELEBRATION or THE DIVINE LITURGY or THE
ORTHODOX ORIENTAL CHURCH TRINITY CHA
PEL--A BOND UNION BETWEEN RUSSIA AND
THE UNITED STATES, ETC.
very interesting and unique religious service was
celebrated in Trinity chapel yesterday morning tho
presence OF large and highly respectable audience com
posed mostly OF ladies' which, in some respects, hns
political sign hcance in that it brings great nations
the United States and Russa-into closer comr,u-
MON than the sympathetic political ties which here
tofore bound them. The consisted OF the per
formanco Of the divine liturgy according to tho csiab
lished Eastern Orthodox Church Of Russia and CO.
by the Rev Agapus Honcharcnko who has recently
rived in this country missionary the Greeks and
S.layonians in this city H. came to New York ia
January, bearing with lin credentials to the Pro
testan Episcopal Church of America He belong 10 the
honastc Order of the Orthodox Church, Of the rank Of
presbytcr, ana brings with him the ofc ri letter dsms
sorry and cominendatory tn Prior and Council Of the
monastery Mount Pentclcus Athens IL under.
stood that Brother Agapius s OF dcyont, humble and
selfsacicng disposition that he felt deeply FOR his
regonst who .acatt red abroad sheep without
a shepherd throughout America, that previous TO de-
parting from his native land, he literally followed the
divine injunction TO 60 ''without script trusting in the
Master whom he rived for support H " a line Greek
scholar, and h, apparently, very Intelligent and aablo
gentleman On coming to New York he was cordially
received by all the Protestant cleryy We that
OF hs faith who have been in this country
over quarter OF century, and till have not had
opportunity 10 enjoy their peoui church privileges 10
" said that when Father Asapus arrived in New York.
in Wall street, received the holy father with
tears of gratitude asurng him that he had long been
pose OF receiving the holy communion, which he had
not enjoyed for twenty years We would most respect
Father xsapias 70 make rsqacn, vsX 70 this PARISH
ioner for IN doing field already white 10 the harvest
endeavor. II Father Agapus should become instru.
mental In converting the rapacious bulls bears Of
Wall street into honest men, by oyertorning tables a
those money changer the country would hail him ~
q true apostle
But 70 return to The ceremony. The following inter.
cstng letter written by Bishop Potter cordially en-
dorsng It and prorerng use Of Trinity chapel for the
performance Of the service. II was addressed 70 the
ohclaiing clergyman OF Trinity chapel
iirnn FROM POTTER
REv. J. FREEMAN YoU1:-
REyrnKsp DsaR Bsornn-Tn reply 70 your In
divine liturgy Of the Holy Orthodox Oriental Church on
the I'd Of March In OF t churches Of my diocese
consent and appreciation 10 80 doing !, adds much Is
my satisfaction that the proposed service s Intended to
do honor 70 the aInycrsary Of the accession Of his
pernl Majesty Alexander III the present Emperor Of
Russia who has done - much 10 promote the glory
and welfare Of his own people, and who has genA
our country. Such eourtesics a. tho one now
preferred between churches which have 80 much
N common has seemed 10 me, might very
side In matters that may affect their relations with each
other On the occasion Of the visit OF the Russian feet
70 the port OF New York last year took pleasure you
know, IN giving permission through you to the Rev.
Chapains 70 hosi any service which they might and do
@&h' any WhsIe WtIln kne MINUS oi my uoCer" ino
Rev Chapalns of the Russian feet did not nnd II neces
sary 70 avail themselves of the permission aned them;
but " was very grateful 20 20 he4r that the feeling
which prompted that trnpg act OF Christian courtcsy
duly appreciated Russia, and that fome OF the
most yeDeraicd az Ae preaies Of the Holy ORTHODOX
Church would been very well pleased had the o6sp
made by me besn accepted
On the present occasion shall be happy this pronzp
Of one OF the chTrhes o my diocese, for the proposed
pubic service shall be accepted and In Russia a.
Slight token Of my fperna regard for the church ana
the nation which beloved brother the priest Aaapus
represents am, my dear brother most truly and ansc
B0RAT1o POTTER, Bishop Of New York
NFw YoRE, Feb Is, 1865
This service, although novel, N interesting when is
rcmemb red that u Is the result Of the friendly relation
which exists between Russia and this country somo
time ago the General Assembly OF the Episcopal church
was urged by many OF ts prominent members take
some stcps to op communication with the ecccsisst
ol author rcs ~ the Russo Greek church ccmmiheo
vas apposicd 70 carry this purpose and cf iis
members "a prominent citizen OF New York. visited the
reads 81 The church AZ Moscow and St Petersburg and
va Kindly rec ived by those dgniaries While these
ieasant negotiations glng on, the Russian fleet ap
,carcd In York, which tended - Oconsummate rathes
han retard tho r,sult