December 2011

Stratford, CT: Visit of the Icon of the Mother of God "Quick to Hear" to St. Nicholas Church
December 31, 2011

On the feast day of the Kursk Root Icon of the Mother of God, Protectress of the Russian Church Abroad, the same day our First Hierarch, Metropolitan Hilarion, concelebrated the Divine Liturgy in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign with His Beatitude, Metropolitan Jonah (OCA), and His Eminence, Archbishop Justinian (MP), St. Nicholas Parish was blessed with a rare visit of the wonderworking Icon of the Mother of God "Quick to Hear."

North Ft. Myers, FL: VIM Calls for Volunteers for a Work Week at St. Nicholas Monastery
December 29, 2011
With the blessing of His Eminence, Metropolitan Hilarion, the diocesan missionary program Volunteers in Mission (VIM) is announcing a volunteer work week at St. Nicholas Monastery in sunny North Fort Myers, FL, on February 5-12, 2012. Volunteers are encouraged to arrive on Saturday, February 4, or earlier. Participants should be at least 13 years of age and adults may also apply.

Bristol, VA: Metropolitan Hilarion led the Divine Services in St. Tikhon’s Church with Bishop George
December 27, 2011

On Wednesday the 20th and Thursday the 21st of December, as part of his Archpastoral visit to North Carolina and Virginia, the First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad, His Eminence Hilarion, Metropolitan of Eastern America & New York, visited St. Tikhon’s Church in Bristol, VA. His Eminence was accompanied by His Grace, Eastern American Diocesan vicar Bishop George of Mayfield.

Mebane, NC: Metropolitan Hilarion visited Holy Trinity Church
December 23, 2011
On Friday the 16th and Saturday the 17th of December, as part of a visit to North Carolina, the First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad, His Eminence Hilarion, Metropolitan of Eastern America and New York, visited Holy Trinity Church in Mebane. Before the beginning of the Divine Liturgy, His Eminence tonsured Aleksandr Andreev, the parish choir director, a reader.

New York City: A Meeting was held between the Diocesan Secretary and the Administrator of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA
December 22, 2011

On Friday, December 16, a meeting was held in the chancery of the Administrator of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA between His Eminence, Archbishop Justinian, and Eastern American Diocesan secretary Archpriest Serge Lukianov. Also taking part in the meeting were the secretary to the Administrator of the Patriarchal Parishes, Igumen Nicodemus (Balyasnikov)...

Metropolitan Hilarion called upon the Clergy to use Mass Media Outlets to summon the Faithful to Church
December 22, 2011

With the blessing of His Eminence, Metropolitan Hilarion, on Friday, December 16, diocesan secretary Archpriest Serge Lukianov participated in a reception hosted by the television network NTV America, in honor of the upcoming New Year. During the reception, held at the Russian Tea Room in New York City, the network’s benefactors and advertisers were given an opportunity to record holiday greetings, which will air on New Year’s Eve.

Beltsville, MD: Metropolitan Hilarion’s Archpastoral Visit to Holy Apostles Church
December 22, 2011

On Friday the 2nd and Saturday the 3rd of December, the First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad, His Eminence Hilarion, Metropolitan of Eastern America & New York, performed an archpastoral visit to Beltsville, MD, and led the divine services in Holy Apostles Church. The small church was filled to capacity with over 100 faithful present for the feast. According to the rector, Archpriest George Johnson, the overwhelming number of worshippers brought great joy to the parish community.

Howell, NJ: Metropolitan Hilarion led the Winter Session of the Diocesan Council
December 20, 2011
On Wednesday, December 14, His Eminence Hilarion, Metropolitan of Eastern America & New York, led the Winter Session of the Diocesan Council in Howell, NJ. The meeting began with the prayer "O Heavenly King," after which the Council sang Memory Eternal to Metropolitan Philaret (Voznesensky), on the occasion of the feast day of St. Philaret the Merciful – the Heavenly patron of the ever-memorable Metropolitan. After prayers, Council members began their work.

New York City: Bishop Jerome visited St. Nicholas Patriarchal Cathedral on the eve of the Patronal Feast Day
December 19, 2011

On Sunday, December 18, on the eve of the feast of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, His Grace, Eastern American Diocesan vicar Bishop Jerome of Manhattan, visited St. Nicholas Patriarchal Cathedral in New York City. His Grace was accompanied by Archimandrite Ioann (Magramm), Senior Priest of the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign Archpriest Andrei Sommer...

New York City: A Sermon by Archimandrite Ioann (Magramm) on the feast day of the Icon of the Mother of God of the Sign
December 16, 2011

"Come, all ye nations, unto the temple of the Lord! Let us gather together and hymn the all-praised Mother of our God, and let us fall down with faith before her Icon, for she hath given now a deposit of salvation unto the Russian land; therefore, radiantly celebrating this feast, let us cry aloud unto the Theotokos: Rejoice, O ready help unto the world, the rejoicing and salvation of our souls."

In order for us to understand and accept the will of God, we must be diligent and zealous in our prayers." - The Entrance of the Theotokos Convent in Washington D.C.
December 15, 2011

Over the course of Christian history, the response to society’s spiritual shortcomings was a retreat from the world and the rise of monasteries. Today, when fewer and fewer people consider Christianity as a whole, or Orthodoxy in particular, to be a religion that obligates them to much, the Eastern American Diocese is witnessing something unexpected – a surge in interest toward monasticism, the expansion of existing monasteries and the appearance of new ones.

New York City: Historic Joint Concelebration by Hierarchs of OCA & ROCOR in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign
December 13, 2011
On Saturday, December 10, on the feast day of the Icon of the Mother of God of the Sign, hierarchs of the Orthodox Church in America (OCA) and the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia (ROCOR) held an historic concelebration of the Divine Liturgy on the patronal feast day of the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign. His Beatitude Jonah, Archbishop of Washington, Metropolitan of All America & Canada, celebrated the Divine Liturgy, co-served by His Eminence Hilarion...

"What can be greater than this?" The Clergy’s Perspective on Serving in Miami
December 12, 2011
The Winter Pastoral Conference, a significant event for diocesan clergy, was held December 6-8 in Miami, FL. The clergy gather to discussion various spiritual and administrative issues, listen to lectures, and spend their time in indispensible brotherly interaction. But the most important element of the pastoral conferences is the joint prayer of their participants...

Miami, FL: Celebration of Metropolitan Hilarion’s Namesday concludes the Winter Pastoral Conference
December 11, 2011
Due to the First Hierarch’s being outside the Diocese on his namesday (November 3), the event was officially celebrated on December 8, the last day of the Winter Pastoral Conference in Miami, FL. The First Hierarch celebrated the Divine Liturgy in St. Vladimir’s Church, co-served by his vicars, Their Graces, Bishops George of Mayfield and Jerome of Manhattan, and participants of the clergy conference.

Miami, FL: The Topics of Orthodox Psychotherapy and Dependency were Discussed at the Pastoral Conference
December 10, 2011

The second day of the Winter Pastoral Conference was dedicated to discussion on the topic of an Orthodox approach to psychotherapy and dependency. The discussion began with a lecture from keynote speaker Archimandrite Meletios (Webber – rector of St. John of Shanghai Monastery in Manton, CA), who spoke about Orthodox psychotherapy...

Miami, FL: Clergy Conference Participants visited the Florida Everglades
December 7, 2011

The second half of the first day of the Winter Pastoral Conference was dedicated to touring the city of Miami and visiting the Florida Everglades. The Everglades stretch across hundreds of miles of Florida and are full of wildlife such as alligators, pythons, turtles, and many different types of wild birds. Many of the conference participants have never been to the everglades, and so the airboat rides were a unique opportunity to experience nature firsthand.

Miami, FL: The Winter Clergy Conference began at St. Vladimir’s Church
December 6, 2011
On Tuesday, December 6, on the feast of the Holy Right-Believing Grand Prince Alexander Nevsky, clergy and their spouse from across the Eastern American Diocese gathered at St. Vladimir’s Church in Miami, FL for the official start of the Winter Clergy Conference. At 9:00 AM in the church, diocesan secretary Archpriest Serge Lukianov served a moleben before the beginning of any good work.

Miami, FL: Met. Hilarion called on the faithful to pray for Patriarch Alexey II on the 3rd anniversary of his repose
December 5, 2011
On Monday, December 5, His Eminence Hilarion, Metropolitan of Eastern America & New York, First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad, arrived in Miami, FL, to lead the Winter Pastoral Conference of the Eastern American Diocese. His Eminence was greeted in Miami International Airport by Diocesan Secretary Archpriest Serge Lukianov and Archpriest Daniel McKenzie...

New York City: A Meeting was held between Metropolitan Hilarion and the Diocesan Secretary in the Metropolitan’s Synodal Residence
December 3, 2011

On Thursday, December 1, His Eminence, Metropolitan Hilarion, met in his Synodal residence with diocesan secretary Archpriest Serge Lukianov. The purpose of the meeting was to brief His Eminence on the current state of affairs in the Diocese and to discuss different developments in diocesan life that have occurred during his visit to Australia.

Metropolitan Hilarion has approved a new Protocol for awarding Diocesan Gramotas
December 3, 2011

During a regular session of the Diocesan Council on August 30, 2011, a resolution was adopted to commission a new diocesan gramota from iconographer Deacon Paul Drozdowski. The new gramota was completed in October and approved by His Eminence, Metropolitan Hilarion, for use in the Eastern American Diocese. On December 1, His Eminence approved a new protocol for diocesan gramotas
...

Orthodox Health Plan announces Open Enrollment Period through December 30, 2011
December 3, 2011

In November 2010, with the blessing of His Eminence, Metropolitan Hilarion, the Diocesan Council approved a proposal from the
Insurance and Pension Committee of the Eastern American Diocese to join the Orthodox Health Plan (OHP). The Joint Orthodox Health Plan Committee voted unanimously to allow for participation...

Schedule of the Eastern American Diocesan Winter Clergy Conference
December 2, 2011

The schedule of the Eastern American Diocesan Winter Clergy Conference is available online to our readers. The conference will take place at St. Vladimir’s Church in Miami, FL, December 6-8. For more information, click here. The conference will begin at 9 AM on Tuesday, December 6th. The schedule can be downloaded in .pdf format here.

"We will maintain our prayerful connection with our heavenly intercessor – St. John of Shanghai" ‒ An Interview with Archpriest Yaroslav Belikow
December 1, 2011

On Saturday, October 22, Archpriest Yaroslav Belikow, cleric of the Cathedral of Our Lady, Joy of All Who Sorrow, in San Francisco was accepted into the Eastern American Diocese and appointed rector of St. John the Wonderworker Church in Framingham, MA. According to the official parish website, Fr. Yaroslav and his Matushka and son spent November 15-21 in Framingham getting to know his new parish and flock.

"In order for Orthodox Christians to preserve and spread their faith in this country, we must work together…" ‒ An Interview with I.K. Popov
December 1, 2011

The Orthodox Business Association is a unique new organization whose goal is to help Orthodox Christians outside of Russia. They accomplish this in many different ways, from financing small projects in various ROCOR dioceses to organizing monastery construction projects and the "Orthodox Farm" project, which on the one hand will help monasteries in the Church Abroad...