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July 5, 2011
Framingham, MA: Metropolitan Hilarion led the patronal feast day of St. John the Wonderworker Church

On Friday the 1st and Saturday the 2nd of July, divine services were held in St. John the Wonderworker Church in Framingham, MA, in honor of the parish’s patronal feast day and the fourth anniversary of the parish’s founding. The festal divine services were led by the First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad, His Eminence Hilarion, Metropolitan of Eastern America & New York. His Eminence was co-served by the parish rector, Priest Vadim Pismenny, Archpriest Michael Crowley (rector of St. Xenia’s Church in Methuen, MA), Priest Constantine Semyanko (cleric of the Church of the Presentation of Christ in the Temple in Stratford, CT), Deacon Victor Ganson (cleric of the Church of the Epiphany in Boston, MA), and Deacon Alexander Doohovskoy (cleric of St. Xenia’s Church).

A multitude of guests from various parishes of Greater Boston, as well as from Connecticut, New York, and Colorado, praying were present at the Liturgy.

Upon completion of the Liturgy a procession was held to the peal of bells.

In his sermon, Metropolitan Hilarion congratulated parishioners on the occasion of their parish feast day and wished them God’s aid in their labors, particularly in erecting a marvelous new church. Dwelling on the life of the holy hierarch, His Eminence spoke about St. John himself lived through and shared in the sufferings of that part of the Russian Orthodox people which found itself in foreign lands after the tragic revolutionary events of the previous century. Metropolitan Hilarion also pointed out the missionary character of St. John’s work, noting his labors in the field of spiritual enlightenment and familiarizing the peoples of the nations in which he served to the Orthodox faith.

In response, the rector thanked His Eminence for his archpastoral visit, underscoring that he had just celebrated his first Divine Liturgy in this parish, one of the youngest parishes in the diocese, as the ruling diocesan bishop. He added that this year is especially significant, as it marks the 115th anniversary of St. John’s birth, and the 45th anniversary of his blessed repose. Fr. Vadim expressed his hope that the spiritual joy and blessing of the patronal feast day experienced by all of the faithful would long remain in their hearts, and would aid in the spiritual growth and fortification of the community, which in turn would help it overcome all obstacles to building the new church.

After the service, all proceeded to the refectory, where a performance was held of the Folk Youth Ensemble "Gold Gates" (Золотыя ворота). The wonderful performance made a great impression on those present.

The parishioners and guests then continued their brotherly interaction over a luncheon. O holy hierarch St. John, pray unto God for us!

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