November 24, 2014
Paterson, NJ: Metropolitan Hilarion leads Patronal Feast Day of St. Michael’s Cathedral

On Friday, November 21, the Synaxis of the Holy Archangel Michael & the Heavenly Bodiless Hosts, the First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad, His Eminence, Metropolitan Hilarion, visited St. Michael the Archangel Cathedral in Paterson, NJ, and led the parish’s patronal feast day. His Eminence was co-served at Liturgy by:

- Protopresbyter Valery Lukianov (dean of New Jersey)
- Archpriest George Konyev (Chancellor of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA)
- Archpriest George Kallaur (rector of Our Lady "Unexpected Joy" Church on Staten Island, NY)
- Archpriest Mark Burachek (rector of Our Lady of Kazan Church in Newark, NJ)
- parish rector Archpriest George Zelenin
- Archpriest Boris Slootsky (cleric of St. Alexander Nevsky Diocesan Cathedral in Howell, NJ)
- Priest Serge Ledkovsky (deputy rector of St. Vladimir Memorial Church in Jackson, NJ)
- Hieromonk Photius (Oulanov; cleric of Holy Virgin Intercession Church in Glen Cove, NY)
- Protodeacon Alexander Kotlaroff (cleric of the Australian Diocese)
- Hierodeacon Panteleimon (Jigalin; cleric of the Australian Diocese)
- Deacon Dionysius Lvov (cleric of the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City).

During the service, the clergy made special commemoration of the ever-memorable Metropolitan Philaret (Voznesensky), third First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad, as well as his parents, Archbishop Dimitry and Lydia, on the occasion of the 29th anniversary of his blessed repose (November 21, 1985).

After the Eucharistic Canon, Metropolitan Hilarion ordained Subdeacon Andrei Logvinenko to the diaconate. The newly ordained Deacon Andrei will fulfill his service in St. Michael’s Cathedral. Upon completion of the Liturgy, a short moleben was served to the holy Angels and Archangels, and parishioners lined up to kiss the Cross and congratulate the new deacon.

After the service, a bountiful lenten luncheon was served in the parish hall, during which Archpriest Alexandre Antchoutine (member of the Diocesan Council and rector of Holy Virgin Intercession Church in Glen Cove) joined the above-mentioned clergy. Several clerics then visited the new property where parishioners hope to build a new church for St. Michael’s parish, which has outgrown its historic home.

Photos courtesy of Archpriest George Konyev

Media Office of the Eastern American Diocese