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November 16, 2010
Atlanta, GA: Metropolitan Hilarion celebrated the Divine Liturgy in the Church of Our Lady, Joy of All Who Sorrow

atl1.jpg (72995 bytes)On Sunday, November 7, the First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad, His Eminence Hilarion, Metropolitan of Eastern America and New York, celebrated the Divine Liturgy in the Church of Our Lady, Joy of All Who Sorrow, in Atlanta, GA, on the occasion of the parish feast day (celebrated on November 6). The festal celebrations began Saturday with the All-Night Vigil, led by parish rector Archpriest Alexis Duncan, who was joined by Archpriest Damian Criscella (rector of St. Nicholas Church in Sunrise, FL), Archpriest Seraphim Stephens (rector of St. Joseph of Optina Mission in Virginia Beach, VA), and Protodeacon Michael Soloviev (cleric of the Nativity of the Mother of God Church in Albany, NY). During the All-Night Vigil, many of the faithful were able to receive confession.

On Sunday morning, parishioners greeted His Eminence, Metropolitan Hilarion, with the peal of bells, bread and salt, and flowers. During the reading of the Hours, parishioner Evgeniy Antonov was tonsured a reader and then ordained a subdeacon. His Eminence also ordained Reader Demetrio Romeo (parishioner of St. Nicholas Church in Sunrise, FL) a subdeacon.

The choir was led by Matushka Anna Duncan and beautifully sang familiar arrangements in Church Slavonic, alongside some pieces in English. Metropolitan Hilarion led the service, co-served by the above-mentioned clergy, as well as by Archimandrite Nazarios (Kastner; abbot of Holy Ascension Monastery in Resaca, GA), and Archpriest Steven Ritter and Deacon Zachary Rose (clerics of St. Mary of Egypt Church in Atlanta, GA).

atl2.jpg (76338 bytes)During the Small Entrance, Metropolitan Hilarion awarded Archpriest Seraphim Stephens the right to wear the palitsa, in recognition of his many years of service to the Holy Church. During the Divine Liturgy, after the Consecration of the Gifts, His Eminence ordained Subdeacon Evgeniy Antonov to the diaconate. The newly ordained Fr. Evgeniy will carry out his service in the parish of Our Lady, Joy of All Who Sorrow. The church was filled to capacity and a very large number of communicants communed from two chalices.

At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, a Cross Procession was performed, leading the congregation to the newly constructed foundation of the new parish church. The service for the blessing of the foundation and the laying of the cornerstone was celebrated. This rare service was very beautiful and inspired all the faithful. In the foundation of the church, there is holy soil from a dozen sacred sites in Russia. Under the cornerstone were laid the relics of the Holy New Martyr Elizabeth and the New Martyr Archbishop Hilarion (Troitsky). The Metropolitan also blessed the beginning of the new parish cemetery dedicated to the Leader of the Bodiless Hosts, St. Michael. This will become the first Russian Orthodox Cemetery in the Southeast.

After the conclusion of the service, the parish attended a festive banquet prepared by the Sisterhood of St. Elizabeth, under the direction of Head Sister Irina Kuznetsova. The meal was truly a feast, with an abundance of delicious food. During the meal, parishioners sang traditional songs and masterfully played Russian folk instruments. As is usual for the parish, the meal lasted for hours and no one wanted to leave. Archbishop Hilarion sang along, as he knew many of the songs by heart. It proved to be a magnificent parish feast and the beginning of a new era for the parish, as members re-dedicate themselves to continuing growth and the building of a new church.

Despite being in difficult economic circumstances and possessing little capital, the parish is building a new church. The financial struggle is enormous. Donations would be greatly appreciated and all donors will be commemorated at divine services. Donations may be made at the parish web site: www.orthodoxinfo.biz.

Media Office of the Eastern American Diocese