Dean of the New York in the air of Devidzon Radio, «The Open Territory» broadcast

ANCHORMAN: — Good evening everyone, this is «The Open Territory», Gregory Devidzon at the mike. It is the broadcast, where, as you know, we invite an interesting people, who, on my opinion, are interesting not only for me. I welcome everyone who listens to us. I have an interesting guest. We have been agreed, and finally it happened. His name is Alexander Belya. He is the Dean First Deanery of New York and the Rector of St. John the Forerunner Church. Welcome to the studio.
FR. ALEXANDER: — Thank you for the opportunity to speak to our Russian-speaking population, guests of Brooklyn and New York City. There are a lot Russian-speaking Orthodox people in Brooklyn. Not only Orthodox people are coming to our church, thus I am greetings you all. May God grant us all peace, love, grace, religious tolerance and smile on our faces. If any person wishes for good to others, he always refers with the good and the grace to his neighbors and to those whom he meets.

ANCHORMAN: — You have a son, Ivan, a wonderful son, who followed in your footsteps and also engaged in religious activities. We talked a lot with him. He told me that you have a new church now. Tell us about what is happening in your house, so to say.
FR. ALEXANDER: — Indeed, my son Ivan is a churchwarden and editor of «Pravoslavnoe Zarubezhye» newspaper. Five years ago, on December 19, we opened our St. John the Forerunner Church on Ocean Parkway. Since October 4 of 2014 we are on Voorhies Avenue. A lot of people came to the church for Christmas. God blessed his (Ivan’s) labors and we have a majestic, beautiful, big building, which attracts people who seek for God’s help, help of the Church, help of our neighbors. People come to us and find a comfortable, beautiful and majestic place. So I am grateful to Ivan as Rector of the church, as administrator and, as a father, I try to give him an advice, and, of course, to pray and to bless. So it is really true. We invite all: guests and inhabitants of Brooklyn, all the people who would like to see the new church.

ANCHORMAN: — Tell me, do you have a phone number? If people have questions how they can contact you? Is it better to come to the church or to give a call?
FR. ALEXANDER: — We have «Pravoslavnoe Zarubezhye» newspaper, and our contact information is indicated there. It is very important for people to read that newspaper; they can give us a call. Many people give a call and we give a response, but it is better to come to the church. Church address is also indicated in the newspaper. And you may indicate phone number for the audience right now.

ANCHORMAN: — Our dear radio listeners, here I have the phone number of that Russian Orthodox church: (929)444-5544. You may contact the churchwarden or any other employee. Please, write down this number of church of ROCA if you have any question. Archpriest Alexander Belya is in the studio now, and we speaking about Russian Orthodox Church. May I ask you the question: The Old New Year – is it a feast for the Orthodox Church?
FR. ALEXANDER: — Even if it is not a feast for the Church, but it is a Remembrance Day of St. Basil the Great. On that day we usually make a thanksgiving prayer service and pray for previous year; we thank to God that we still are alive, that we have peace among us; we thank for benefits and goods that God gives us for everyday. And we ask God for blessing and help for a next year. That is why prayer is a spiritual mood, a mood of human for he may to put himself and his attitude to neighbor into correct way. And if this prayer related to a pure faith, you may feel God’s help.

ANCHORMAN: — What kind of relations do you have here, in New York, with the Churches of Russia and Ukraine? And what are these relations today? Did they become more complicated because of events in the Ukraine?
FR. ALEXANDER: — There are 15 Autocephalous Local Orthodox Churches. And we have nice fraternal relations among ourselves. We pray together and share one Chalice. Bilateral faith and love are the main issue, so that is why we have warm, good relations with Ukraine and Russia. I may say only one thing: on November 15 of 2014 our Primate and First Hierarch Metropolitan Hilarion celebrated the 30th Anniversary of his Ordination as a bishop on the day of 80th Anniversary of Eastern American Diocese. Hierarchs of Moscow and Kyiv were invited for celebration. Kyiv was represented by Metropolitan Alexander Drabinko and he took a part in celebrations. On behalf of Primate of Ukrainian Orthodox Church, Metropolitan Onufriy, Metropolitan Alexander awarded our Metropolitan Hilarion by the Order of St. Apostle Andrew the First-Called. It is one of greatest awards of our Ukrainian Orthodox Church. And it shows how good and amicable are the relations between Ukraine and us.

ANCHORMAN: — There is another question and probably it should be discussed for slightly different listeners. It is the question of tolerance and relations between believers, mass media and people who not confess any religion. I want to talk about what happened in France: the terroristic attack was committed against the staff of the satirical magazine. I am sure our listeners understand what we are talking about. People were murdered for they were maybe joked, maybe bantered on something what is sacred for others. Maybe in some measures they wounded the rights or attitude to faith of anybody and for that they were killed. The situation is totally terrible, I mean, my position is – it is not allowed to wound somebody’s fillings. Provoke not worth it. Not only because of Law, but also because of morality, I think. It is impossible to infringe upon and insult the feelings of believers, because they are sincere and, in my opinion, that is not correct. But even more horrible is killing for that. What do you think about this?
FR. ALEXANDER: — Our Church condemns any act of violence. It is a sin and inadmissible. The most precious thing in the world is human’s life. We must know that God gave us this life and God wants us to live in peace, tolerance and mutual understanding. Therefore, we condemn that what happened. This should not take place in any religion, nor in any country, because our Lord called us for peace, for love and for forgiveness to all. Of course, people on TV and radio should understand that there are some measures of decency, it is true, but the main thing we have to remember, that if a correspondent or reporter uses any wrong word, we have to forgive him because he want people to understand him well. And even if this thought is does not fit in someone’s frames, we have to do something in order to forgive him and to guide him in a good word. Tell him a truth personally, but never punish him or do anything wrong. Any religious condemns such thing, especially Orthodoxy.

ANCHORMAN: — Unfortunately, not any religion, as we may see. There is extremism and perhaps here, in this case, not only Islam can be blamed. Maybe in other religious also is some signs of extremism, but that what you’ve said – to appeal to the fact that there was no violence associated with nothing – neither with religion nor with the business, in my opinion rightly so, because nothing is more precious than life and killing people if they do not threat the lives of others – this is wrong. Agree, father Alexander.
FR. ALEXANDER: — Yes, it is true.

ANCHORMAN: — Some interesting things took place in your church. You brought something from Ukraine. Tell us…
FR. ALEXANDER: — Thank you for the opportunity. On November 16 Metropolitan Alexander, who arrived for celebration of Russian Orthodox Church Abroad, brought to us from Kyiv a particle of relics of St. Equal-to-the Apostles Prince Vladimir, who for any Russian-speaking person, for Russian, Ukrainian and Byelorussian, is the Baptizer of Rus. It is a great shrine and great support. In 2013 his relics were taken to the most important cities and churches of Russia, Ukraine and Belarus. This year is 1000th Anniversary of his repose. It will be a great event and his relics are only in our church. Those relics give healing and especially grateful support to heal from cancer, from eye diseases, back pain and joint pain, oncologic diseases, give strength for childbearing to women and men, return of hearing, and most importantly, help to find peace of mind. Especially they give a great certitude, great power, when person does not know what to do. It is very important in this time, because a lot of people sometimes are in desperate, in uncertainty. St. Vladimir’s relics help even in this moment, help to get confidence, to find yourself and find God, and that is why it is so important for everyone of us. Many people come into our church because of these relics and because of relics we had before – the relics of St. Matrona of Moscow, who is a great assistant for everyone who comes to her relics with prayer and faith. That is why everyday she gives healing and assistance because of faith and prayer.

ANCHORMAN: — Do you have service schedule? Service is performed once per week or in feasts? When your church is open?
FR. ALEXANDER: — Our church is open every day from 9 o’clock AM up to 9 o’clock PM, and for every Sunday and every feast we have service. In the evening the Vigil on the Eve of holiday and Sunday. In the evening at 6 o’clock, in the holiday or Sunday – the Liturgy is at 9:30. Therefore, everyone has the opportunity to come. The schedule for next month or months is always indicated in our newspaper.

ANCHORMAN: — I already anticipate a question of our audience: how to obtain your newspaper? Probably they will call to the broadcasting station. Should we give your number for they can contact you personally? What should we say to people?
FR. ALEXANDER: — Sometimes we spread the newspaper in stores, pharmacies, and it always is in our church. The newspaper is interesting; there you may read about a consecration of cars, a consecration of different things in our church; about baptism of babies, wedding ceremony and other services of need. Sometimes there is reflection of those prayers, ceremonies and celebrations which took place in our church. That is why our newspaper always is in the church and sometimes our men distribute it.

ANCHORMAN: — I see. How often do you release it? Once per month?
FR. ALEXANDER: — Once per month.

ANCHORMAN: — And for feasts, perhaps, a special edition. And now I refer to our audience: if you have question, please, you may ask father Alexander Belya. And this is my question. Are there another Orthodox churches in Brooklyn?
FR. ALEXANDER: — Yes, except our church ROCOR has three more churches in Brooklyn: on 18th Avenue, on 1st Brighton and on 65th Street.

ANCHORMAN: — Do you keep in touch?
FR. ALEXANDER: — Yes, of course. All the time.

ANCHORMAN: — Let us give some answers. I just wondering what are they going to ask you about? Please, you are on air…

LISTENER: — Can you indicate the address of the church?
FR. ALEXANDER: — 2016 Voorhies Avenue. It is between Ocean Avenue and Voorhies Avenue – at the corner.

LISTENER: — Is it separated building or on some floor?
FR. ALEXANDER: — There was a Methodist church before. We are located nearby. There is a dome and inscription with the name of the church.

LISTENER: — My name is Bohdan. I was born in Ukraine. If you can answer, please do, if no, no. What is your position concerning conflict between Ukraine and Russia?
FR. ALEXANDER: — Our position is negative. There is internecine war, where brother fights against brother. It is very bad and every day we pray may God give peace to that nation. When Orthodox fights against Orthodox, it is misunderstanding, and it is very bad. Thus, the most important thing for everyone of us is prayer, and anything we can assist in order to God granted peace and wellness upon our people.

LISTENER: — Greetings. I am from Ukraine too. You tell about brotherhood of Ukrainian and Russian people. But this brotherhood does not exist…
FR. ALEXANDER: — I tell you one thing. The most important thing for anyone is to remember and to not forget. For 300 years Christian Church has been persecuted by pagans, but Church prayed and for rulers, and for persecutors. For everyone. And Church has won. Faith and prayer will win. But to summon for Arms – it is a sin, it is inadmissible. That is why very important try to find peace in yourselves, find mutual understanding. And if people do something wrong, may God help us to find peace.

ANCHORMAN: — Thank you very much, father, for you visit to our studio. I hope, after your visit we shall be fine too, so pray for this. I consider that representatives of different nations and confessions have to visit our broadcasting station. It is good that there is diversity in the world, people and organizations, who summons for peace, for good etc. Thank you for your visit.
FR. ALEXANDER: — I thank you too, and I only can wish you and your broadcasting station to be always so wise, so talented, and bring tolerance, faith and love. God bless you and your listeners!

ANCHORMAN: — Thank you! I’m looking forward to see you in this studio again.
FR. ALEXANDER: —Thank you. All the best!