Русская Версия

July 24, 2010
Jackson, NJ: Metropolitan Hilarion celebrated the Divine Liturgy in Holy Virgin Protection Church

On Saturday, July 24, the day of the Holy Equal-of-the-Apostles and Grand Princess of Russia Olga, the First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad, His Eminence Hilarion, Metropolitan of Eastern America and New York, celebrated the Divine Liturgy in the lower Holy Virgin Protection Church of St. Vladimir Memorial Church in Jackson, NJ. His Eminence was co-served by mission rector Archpriest Philip Petrovsky, Archpriest Paul Volmensky (rector of Holy Ascension Church in Sacramento, CA), Priest Serge Ledkovsky (deputy rector of St. Vladimir Memorial Church), Protodeacon Nicholas Mokhoff (cleric of the Synodal Cathedral), and Deacon Anatoly Revitskyy. Also praying in church were Eastern American Diocesan Vicar Bishop, His Grace George of Mayfield, and Hieromonk Alexander (Frizzell; resident of Holy Cross Monastery). After the Eucharist, Metropolitan Hilarion ordained longtime English Mission parishioner Subdeacon Alexander Smida to the diaconate.

In his sermon upon completion of the Liturgy, Vladyka told of the life of St. Olga, underscoring her vital role in the conversion of the Russian people to Holy Orthodoxy. After the sermon, a moleben was served before the icon of St. Olga, after which a litiy was served at the tomb of Archbishop Vitaly (Maximenko), located on the right side of the church. Archbishop Vitaly, the founder of the Memorial Church, reposed March 21, 1960, 50 years ago. In greeting the First Hierarch, English Mission rector Fr. Philip thanked Vladyka for his archpastoral visit and his zealous prayer, which filled this historic church. The newly ordained Deacon Alexander then greeted Vladyka and noted that on this very day in 1938, the first Divine Liturgy was served in the open air at the walls of the church, then still under construction.

After the Liturgy, a bountiful luncheon was served in the parish hall.

Media Office of the Eastern American Diocese

See Also:

July 28, 2010
Jackson, NJ: Bishop Jerome celebrated the Divine Liturgy in St. Vladimir Memorial Church

July 25, 2010
Jackson, NJ: The First Hierarch of ROCOR led the national St. Vladimir’s Day celebrations

July 22, 2010
Jackson, NJ: St. Vladimir’s Day – the Day of Russian Unity