November 4, 2013
Howell, NJ: Two Hierarchal Liturgies & Ordinations in St. George’s Church

From Friday the 25th to Sunday the 27th of October, His Grace George, Bishop of Mayfield, paid an Archpastoral visit to Howell, NJ, and led the divine services in St. George’s Church.

On Friday evening, parishioners, led by parish rector Archpriest Serge Lukianov, greeted the Protectress of the Russian Diaspora – the Kursk Root Icon of the Mother of God. All of that weekend’s services would be held under the aegis of the wonderworking icon. The parish clergy – along with Archpriest Artemy Vladimirov (rector of All Saints Church in Krasnoe Selo in Moscow) – then served the All-Night Vigil, while His Grace prayed in the altar. Upon completion of the service, before the Cross of the Lord and Gospel Book and under the watchful eye of his spiritual instructor Fr. Artemy, Vladimir Kaydanov read aloud the Oath "Sworn by the Candidate for Ordination to the Holy Diaconate."

The following morning, His Grace celebrated the Divine Liturgy, co-served by Fr. Artemy, Fr. Serge, and parish cleric: Archpriest Boris Slootsky, Protodeacon Leonid Roschko, and Deacon Michael Wengrin. Before the start of Liturgy, Bishop George tonsured Vladimir a reader and then ordained him a subdeacon. After the Eucharistic Canon, Subdeacon Vladimir was ordained to the diaconate. It was endearing to see Vladimir’s wife, Ioanna, though still in Moscow, able to prayerfully partake in the service, watching it unfold over the Internet via Skype. After the service, on behalf of the new Matushka Ioanna, a copy of the Iveron Icon of the Mother of God was presented to Fr. Vladimir in honor of the feast on his ordination. On Saturday evening, the vicar of the Eastern American Diocese led the All-Night Vigil. During the Polyeleos, the clergy and people jointly sang an akathist to the Most Holy Theotokos before the Kursk Icon.

On Sunday morning at the Divine Liturgy, the above-mentioned clergy were joined by Priest Nicholas Olhovsky, guardian of the Kursk Icon. Prior to the start of Liturgy, parish Reader Oleg Varavko was ordained a subdeacon. After the Great Entrance, His Grace ordained Fr. Vladimir to the priesthood. The newly ordained Deacon Vladimir will temporarily fulfill his service at St. George’s Church. During the communion of the clergy, Fr. Artemy delivered a beautiful sermon, and all of the faithful communed of Christ’s Holy Mysteries. Upon completion of the service, Fr. Vladimir (from Fr. Serge and Fr. Artemy) and Subdeacon Oleg both received an icon of the Holy Fathers of the Seven Ecumenical Councils, in honor of their ordinations to the priesthood and subdiaconate, respectively. Fr. Vladimir’s family also presented him with three sets of priest’s vestments: gold, red, and blue. The protodeacon then intoned the Polychronion for all those present.

After the service, parishioners proceeded to the nearby Russian House "Rodina," where Fr. Artemy, along with Parisian pianist Renara Akhoundova, performed "Scarlet Crowns," a concert in honor of the Holy Royal Passion-Bearers and the 400th anniversary of the Romanov Dynasty.

Photo-report of the divine services on October 25-26

Photo-report of the divine services on October 26-27

Media Office of the Eastern American Diocese