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November 5, 2009
Utica, NY: Metropolitan Hilarion celebrated the Divine Liturgy in St. John of Kronstadt Church

The parish of St. John of Kronstadt in Utica, NY celebrated its parish feast day on Sunday, November 1, and the feast seemed to be a continuation of last year's centenary festivities. The All-Night Vigil was served on Saturday, October 31, by rector Archpriest Michael Taratuchin, co-served by four deacons in the presence of His Grace, Bishop Peter of Cleveland, and approximately sixty faithful. On the following day, November 1, the greeting of His Eminence Metropolitan Hilarion took place at 9AM. During the Sixth Hour, seminarian Stephen Prokopienko was tonsured to the rank of reader. Reader Stephen is not only a seminarian, but also a very active participant in the life of the parish. Concelebrating with His Eminence were Bishop Peter, President of the Fund of St. John of Kronstadt, Mitred Archpriest Wsewolod Drobot (Albany, NY), rector Archpriest Michael Taratuchin, Hieromonk Cyprian (Jordanville), parish Protodeacon Joseph Jarostchuk, Archdeacon Andronik Taratuchin (San Francisco, CA), Protodeacon Victor Lochmatow (Jordanville), Protodeacon Alexander Jarostchuk (Boston, MA), Deacon Nicholas Olkhovsky (Jordanville), Hierodeacon Anatoly (Zhilin; Jordanville), and parish deacons Nicholas Kolasz and Kevin Kalish. The choir, led by choir directress Elizabeth Szlek and joined by several guest singers, rendered several beautiful liturgical pieces, adding to the splendor and beauty of the Divine Liturgy. Several seminarians from Jordanville either served in the altar or assisted in the choir. The church was filled to capacity with the faithful, who came to honor the memory of St. John of Kronstadt. Upon completion of the Liturgy, a crucession was held around the church.

A special Benediction Gramota was awarded to Fr. Joseph Jarostchuk in recognition of his forty years of dedicated service to the Church of Christ, not only within the parish, but throughout the diocese over the last four decades. Other Benediction Gramotas were awarded to Matushka Irina Jarostchuk, Starosta Alexei Kirushin, Nina Kirushin, Head Sister Valentina Banziger, Tamara DeBernardis for years of dedicated service to the parish, and to Nina Krivsky and Ludmilla Bushunov for their years of dedicated service to the Memorial Fund.

Following the divine services, a banquet in honor of the feast day was held at the Valley View Country Club in Utica, at which Fr. Joseph was honored for his forty years of sacred service to the Church, and at which many congratulatory speeches were made in his honor. The rector, Fr. Michael, presented Fr. Joseph with a gift from the parish. Starosta Alexei Kirushin then presented Fr. Michael a gift from the parish in honor of his twenty years of clerical service to the Church. The day continued in a spirit of Paschal joy and radiance difficult to describe in words. Holy Father John of Kronstadt, pray unto God for us!

Media Office of the Eastern American Diocese