May 5, 2012
Encyclical to all clergy of the Eastern American Diocese regarding the celebration of the 5th Anniversary of Reunification

№: 05.03.12
April 20/May 3, 2012
Holy Hierarch St. Nicholas of Ochrid

Encyclical
To all clergy of the Eastern American Diocese

Beloved in the Lord Reverend Fathers,

Christ is Risen!

As we approach the fifth anniversary of the signing of the Act of Canonical Communion between the Moscow Patriarchate and Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, our hearts are filled with joy and thanksgiving to the Lord for granting unity to our Church.

Since the joint pastoral conference of Diocesan and Patriarchal clergy has been postponed to October 11-13, solemn services in honor of the fifth anniversary will be held on May 16^th and 17^th at Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville, NY and St. Nicholas Patriarchal Cathedral in New York City.

On Wednesday, May 16^th, on the eve of the anniversary, a panihida will be held at the tomb of Metropolitan Laurus in Holy Trinity Monastery at 12:30 PM. This will be a special time for us to remember our beloved Vladyka, and also His Holiness Patriarch Alexey II, and to thank them for their efforts in reuniting our long-suffering Church. The panihida will be led by the Administrator of Patriarchal Parishes in the USA, His Eminence Justinian, Archbishop of Naro-Fominsk, co-served by His Grace George, Bishop of Mayfield, His Grace Jerome, Bishop of Manhattan, and clergy of the Moscow Patriarchate and ROCOR.

The following morning, May 17^th, the Divine Liturgy will be served in St. Nicholas Patriarchal Cathedral by the above-mentioned clergy. The greeting of the bishop will begin at 10:00 AM; clergy are asked to arrive by 9:30 AM and to bring their own white vestments. After the Liturgy, a festal banquet will be held in the cathedral hall.

All diocesan clergy and their faithful are invited and encouraged to attend these services. Those who cannot make it to New York City are asked to serve either a Divine Liturgy or Thanksgiving moleben on May 17^th. God willing, I will be in Moscow at that time, celebrating the fifth anniversary with His Holiness, Patriarch Kyrill.

Please accept my most sincere congratulations on this joyous fifth anniversary. May the Lord continue to bestow His rich and abundant mercies on our Holy Church and Her faithful.

With love in Christ,

+HILARION
Metropolitan of Eastern America & New York
First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia

Media Office of the Eastern American Diocese