August 17, 2012
Hartford, CT: Metropolitan Hilarion led the Divine Services in St. Panteleimon’s Church

On Thursday, August 9, the Orthodox Church celebrated the memory of the Holy Great-Martyr and Healer Panteleimon. The celebration of the patronal feast day of St. Panteleimon’s Church in Hartford, CT continued through the weekend of August 11-12. The First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad, His Eminence Hilarion, Metropolitan of Eastern America & New York, paid an Archpastoral visit to Hartford, where he served the All-Night Vigil and Divine Liturgy.

At Vigil, His Eminence was co-served by Archpriest George Lardas (rector of St. Nicholas Church in Stratford, CT), parish rector Archpriest Dionisy Nalitov, Archpriest Brendan Crowley (rector of St. Nicholas Church in Springfield, MA), Priest Alexei Oulanov (cleric of Holy Virgin Intercession Church in Glen Cove, NY), and Hierodeacon Panteleimon (Jigalin; cleric of the Diocese of Australia). Metropolitan Hilarion was co-served at Liturgy with Fr. Dionisy, Fr. Alexei, and Fr. Panteleimon. A service for Blessing the Water was held before the beginning of Liturgy, and the moleben and traditional procession around the church was conducted after the Liturgy.

The church and icon of the Holy Great-Martyr and Healer Panteleimon were beautifully decorated with flowers. Worship services were fervent and prayerful. The church was crowded with worshipers – many visitors came from neighboring parishes and from New York. The parish sisterhood, led by Matushka Xenia Nalitov, prepared a delicious meal for the faithful.

Republication of materials must include a reference to: 
"Eastern American Diocese www.eadiocese.org."

Media Office of the Eastern American Diocese