The text of the article from Sunday Tribune Magazine (between 1934 and 1937) restored by AI:
THE FIRST RUSSIAN-GREEK CHURCH IN THE PHILIPPINES
This church is CATHOLIC but not ROMAN, which brings us to a consideration of a religious organization, little known here, which came into being as a result of a schism with Rome…
BY DIONISIO K. YORRO
When a squadron of the White Russian Fleet under the command of Rear Admiral George Starck anchored in the Philippines in 1923, the crew thought of leaving a memorable landmark behind them. Endowed with a religious spirit, they decided to give lavishly so as to build the first and only Russian-Greek Catholic Church in the Philippines where they can worship without molestation from the Reds.
The dreams of this band of White Russians came to a realization when the church was erected on Calle Felix, Santa Ana Subdivision. The initial contribution from the Russian sea-faring men, plus the voluntary contributions from the more than 200 White Russians residing in the Philippines, made the establishment of the church possible. More than ₱12,000 was spent in constructing the church and the vicarage and in purchasing the lot where they were erected.
The Reverend Archpriest Michael Erohin is the first rector of this first Russian Greek Catholic Church in the Philippines. He celebrated the first Mass two months ago, and since then regular Masses are held twice a week, Saturdays at seven in the evening and Sunday at nine in the morning. While Russian and some Spanish and Filipino souls are drawn to the services, Fr. Erohin said: “The Russian-Greek Catholic Church, the first and only one of its kind in the Philippines, is a house of God. There we pray for the salvation of our souls. We pray for the White Russians, for the Filipinos, for the President of the Philippines and for the success of the Commonwealth Government… but most important of all, we are praying and hoping that the Philippines may be saved from Communism.”
Born in Moscow in 1873, Father Erohin has 38 years of religious life behind him. After finishing his schooling in his native town, he entered Synodalnoy Kappelle where he finished his studies for the priesthood. He also studied music and taught it for some time. He is still a good choir director…
…in Vladivostok when he received his ordination in 1903. He was sent to Kamchatka where he worked as a missionary for 18 years. His stay there was shortened when he was arrested and put to prison by the Communists who resented his religious teachings. The Reds finally decided to deport Father Erohin. But when his ship called at Shanghai, he escaped and found refuge in Dairen. Later he was appointed Rector of the Russian-Greek Catholic Church in Dairen.
In recognition of his successful work in Dairen, Father Erohin was appointed by Bishop Evceniy Rector of the first and only Russian-Greek Catholic Church here. Mr. Erohin is married and has five children. Behind the church stands the vicarage, where the Rector and his children Nina and Michael, Jr., reside. Mrs. Erohin lives in Dairen with the rest of the children.
Impressed with the unusual hospitality of the Filipinos, Father Erohin said: “When I was in China I heard so much about the Philippines and Filipino hospitality and my association with the Filipino people since my arrival convinced me that I would like my stay here, except the weather. But then we will get used to it, I suppose.”
Asked whether the USSR authorities were interfering with their church activities, Rector Erohin answered in the negative. The majority of the members of the congregation, he said, “are Filipino and American citizens who have been residing here for the last eight or ten years. Like the Filipinos or the Americans, we have the right to worship our God and go about our own business. The Philippine authorities are protecting us.”
The church, according to the Rector, is not receiving help from abroad. The generous aid of local White Russians and some Filipinos is largely responsible for the continuation of the church activities.
In the city, there is a White Russian Charitable Association headed by Rear Admiral V. V. Kovalevsky, minister for the White Russians in the Philippines. He lives at 850 A. Mabini where he has a huge library full with books on Russia and relics of Old Russia…
The Greek or Eastern Church started as part of the Holy Roman Catholic Church at a time when God was…
on the pictures:
• REV. MICHAEL EROHIN, first rector of the first and only Russian-Greek Catholic Church here, in ceremonial attire…
• THE SAME CHURCH on Calle Felix, Santa Ana…
• THE ALTAR of the Church…
• THE RECTOR shows with Rear Admiral V. V. Kovalevsky, minister for White Russians in the Philippines…
