October 31, 2013
Summerville, SC: Primatial Visit to Sts. Cyril & Methodius Church

On Saturday the 26th and Sunday the 27th of October, His Eminence Hilarion, Metropolitan of Eastern America & New York, performed an Archpastoral visit to South Carolina. Metropolitan Hilarion came to Sts. Cyril & Methodius Church in Summerville, where he led the festivities in honor of the 40th anniversary of the parish’s founding.

The First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad led the divine services, co-served by parish rector Archpriest Anastasy Yatrelis. On Saturday morning, the Divine Liturgy was celebrated, during which was performed the diaconal ordination of Subdeacon Timothy Naylor. That evening, the Metropolitan served a panihida for the pious parishioner Lemonia Panagiotou on the occasion of the fourth anniversary of her repose. His Eminence then led the Resurrectional Vespers.

The following morning, on the Sunday of the Holy Fathers of the Seven Ecumenical Councils, the Metropolitan celebrated the Divine Liturgy. At the Little Entrance, in honor of his many years of service to Christ’s Holy Church, Fr. Anastasy was awarded the right to wear the jeweled cross. During the Liturgy, Subdeacon Daniel Gregoire was ordained to the diaconate. The newly ordained Deacon Daniel will fulfill his service in Sts. Cyril & Methodius Church.

After the service, Metropolitan Hilarion blessed three women to undertake the difficult calling of iconography; he then presented the following parishioners with diocesan Gramotas in honor of their longtime support of the parish: Георгию George Yankovich, Dr. George Niketas, his wife Elaine Niketas, and Catherine Graves.

A bountiful luncheon was held beneath a tent outside, prepared by the next-door Continental Corner Greek restaurant. The feast was well-attended, and the little church was filled to the brim with worshipers, who came to share in the prayer and joy of the anniversary with their Hierarch.


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