SOUTH RIVER
(N.J.)
The events of World War II and its consequences, namely communist occupation
of Eastern Europe, created a new wave of Belarusian political immigrants.
Many of them have settled in the relatively small town of South River,
NJ; thereby, considerably increasing the existing Belarusian community
of South River. Even though there are many Belarusians in South River who
came here before World War II, but practically all of them are not conscious
of their national Belarusian roots. For that reason they did not organize
their own Belarusian parish or any Belarusian cultural, political or civic
organizations, unlike other ethnic groups. New immigrants reestablished
the Belarusian Orthodox parish of St. Eufrasinnia under jurisdiction of
the Patriarchy of Constantinople. This church previously existed in Regensburg,
Michelsdorf, and Baknang, Germany. As is did then, it became again community
place of worship, and a national ethnic and cultural center. In short,
it became the unifying spirit of the native land, the spiritual refuge
in the New World.
They organized own Belarusian parish, an enterprising group selected the
church council, with Very Rev. Mikalaj Lapitski as pastor, which after
receiving a charter in 1951, began the realization of the plan. With the
help of Good Lord, the initiative of individuals, and the work and dedication
of all people of good will, the plan was brought to the desired fruition.
In 1953,
the parish acquired a synagogue and converted it into the church. Years
passed and the parish drew larger and larger until it outgrew the
church building. The benevolent city administration sold a 3.5 acre of
land to the parish at a nominal price.
On the acquired land the parish of St. Efrasinnia has built the new church,
parish hall and cultural center. Today, the Belarusian American Community
Center is active in South River, as well as the Jurka
Vitsbich Library. Since 1953, a Belarusian cemetary houses many
influential emigrants. Here, stands the monument in honor of those
Belarusians who sacrificed their lives for the freedom of their nation.
Today,
South River is one of the major centers of Belarusian Emigration.
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