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July 25, 2011
Columbia, SC: Bishop George visited St. Elizabeth the New Martyr Church

On July 15-19, His Grace George, Bishop of Mayfield, visited the parish of St. Elizabeth the New-Martyr in Columbia, SC, on the occasion of the feasts of the Holy Royal Martyrs of Russia and St. Elizabeth the New-Martyr. Vladyka was accompanied by Deacon Jeremiah Davis (cleric of Holy Cross Monastery in Wayne, WV). Arriving on the afternoon of Friday the 15th, His Grace’s entourage visited with the family of Priest Mark Mancuso, rector of St Elizabeth’s, and then met with the parish clergy over dinner and visited the home of the parish’s treasurer, Joshua Shaw and the parish’s head sister, Helen Shaw.

On the morning of Saturday the 16th, Bishop George was given a private tour of the South Carolina Confederate Relic Room and Military Museum. The tour was led by Fr. Mark friend, William J. Long, Curator of Education for the Museum. The group was shown many interesting artifacts from South Carolina’s involvement in the Civil War, the Mexican-American War, and World War I. Following the tour, Vladyka, the clergy, and their families were treated to a lunchtime cookout at the Shaws’ house.

That the evening, Bishop George led the festal Vigil for the Royal Martyrs of Russia, co-served by Archpriest Steven Ritter (cleric of St. Mary of Egypt Church in Atlanta, GA), Fr. Mark, Priest John Malcom (cleric of the Church of the Entrance into the Temple of the Holy Virgin in Syracuse, NY), parish Deacon Columba Wilson, and Fr. Jeremiah. Despite the summer heat of South Carolina, most of the faithful stayed for the entire Vigil and many made their confession.

On the feast of the Royal Martyrs of Russia, Bishop George celebrated the Divine Liturgy, co-served by the above-mentioned clergy. During the Small Entrance, for his many years of faithful service to Christ’s Holy Church, Bishop George awarded Fr. Steven the right to wear the palitsa. The Liturgy was well-attended, with many of the faithful receiving the Holy Mysteries. At the end of the Liturgy, Vladyka George gave an inspiring sermon about the life of the Royal Family and St. Elizabeth the New-Martyr and their devotion to the Church. After the Liturgy, the Sisterhood prepared a bountiful luncheon in the parish hall. At the end of the meal, Vladyka spent over an hour answering questions from parishioners about the spiritual life, the role of the divine services in the life of an Orthodox Christian, the positive role that the Church Abroad is playing in relation to the other Orthodox jurisdictions, and gave some wonderful insights on how the parish can continue its missionary efforts.

On the evening of Sunday the 17th, Bishop George led the festal Vigil for St. Elizabeth the New-Martyr, co-served by Fr. Steven, Fr. Mark, Priest Anthony Bryant (rector of St. Katherine Church in Pelion, SC), Fr. Columba, and Fr. Jeremiah.

On the day of the parish’s feast, Bishop George celebrated the Divine Liturgy, co-served by Fr. Steven, Archpriest Anastasy Yatrelis (rector of Sts. Cyril & Methodius Church in Summerville, SC), Archpriest Thomas Moore (rector of Holy Apostles OCA Church in West Columbia, SC), Fr Mark, Fr. Columba, and Fr. Jeremiah. During the Hours, His Grace tonsured Peter Popoff to the office of Reader for the parish. Again, the Liturgy was well attended, as there were some visitors from the local parishes and many of the faithful partook of the Holy Mysteries. After the festal Liturgy, the Sisterhood prepared a bountiful luncheon in the parish hall for the clergy, faithful, and guests. Many congratulatory and celebratory toasts were given as a truly festal mood pervaded the parish hall. Bishop George thanked the Sisterhood for their hospitality and the choir for their singing of the festal services on consecutive days. As Vladyka was leaving, all of the faithful received his blessing, thanked him for coming, and expressed their wish to see him again soon.

Media Office of the Eastern American Diocese