I have been meaning to post this for a long time. It's marvelous !
One can see the dear St John arriving at the door of the Sea Cliff property, then blessing with the cross, then finally going into the altar. He turns around to look over his shoulder at the camera as the clip ends.
Perhaps there is a continuation of this video still to be released ? One greatly hopes so.
One also wonders what the Saint was thinking. Was he surprised to see the camera rolling after he had finished the service ? Was he displeased ? Or did not mind ?
There is so little footage of St John Maximovitch extant that one suspects he did not encourage movie cameras during any services. Anyone have any idea about this question?
What is exceedingly special is that the camera gets close enough to capture the look in the Saint's eyes as he holds the cross for clergy and laity. That is deeply moving for us to see some 60 years later : A REAL TREAT !
One wonders whether more old footage from the movie cameras popular in that era might emerge in the houses of old Russian emigre families.
At the time of the film, this newly constructed Sea Cliff Church was in the hands of Old Rocor. Apparently many Russians lived in that hamlet of Long Island, including various members of the nobility. Hence the plan to build a church to accommodate them. I don't know how many Russians live in that area today, or what the character of this enclave has turned into. It seems that the local contingent at that time, 1953 - 59, was highly motivated and enthusiastic. The footage captures the entire process from cleaning out the ground to lay the foundation to putting the golden dome atop the Church.
Hierarchs such as Archbishop Averky, whose 40th anniversary of repose is just around the corner in 2 weeks, can be seen at various stages blessing the process.