March 16, 2012
"The Parish of our Lady of Vladimir in Coronado is alive and well –
expanding unto the glory of God and the salvation of the people" ‒ A
Visit to Costa Rica by Priest Eugene Antonov
On
March 9-12, with the blessing of His Eminence Hilarion, Metropolitan
of Eastern America & New York, Priest Eugene Antonov (cleric of the
Church of Our Lady, Joy of All Who Sorrow, in Atlanta, GA) carried
out a missionary visit to Costa Rica. Fr. Eugene came to perform the
divine services in the
Church of the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God, currently
under construction in the town of Coronado.
During his visit, Fr. Eugene performed the sacrament of Holy Unction
for over 20 people, and led the appointed Lenten divine services on
Soul Saturday and the Sunday of St. Gregory Palamas. Fr. Eugene
served the Matins services for the departed in the home chapel of
reposed former rector Priest Rodion Aragon, to the singing of the
parish choir under the direction of Matushka Elena Aragon.
Between services, spiritually enriching meetings were held with
parishioners at the home of Mat. Elena.
In the words of Fr. Eugene, Matushka has dedicated her life to the
parish in which her departed husband, Fr. Rodion, served:
"Matushka Elena is heading the colossal project of building a church
and supporting the parish, and occasionally leads lay services
there. She is also working to ensure the arrival of a permanent
priest, which, of course, is a necessity, and whom they anxiously
await in the parish. Thanks to the labors of Mat. Elena, the
parishioners, and the clergy of the Eastern American Diocese
(especially Archpriest Daniel MacKenzie), the Parish of our Lady of
Vladimir is alive and well – expanding unto the glory of God and the
salvation of the people. Godspeed! Many years!"
Businessman Michael Wiederman, parishioner of the Church of Our
Lady, Joy of All Who Sorrow, also participated in the trip,
establishing connections with the goal of providing financial
assistance in completing the construction of the Vladimir Mother of
God Church, whose next phase of construction is the addition of the
cupola.
The visit to Costa Rica concluded on Monday, March 12, with a
thanksgiving moleben in the home chapel.
Media
Office of the Eastern American Diocese
