October 12, 2014
East Setauket, NY: Patronal Feast Day at the Brotherhood of the Holy Cross

On Saturday, September 27, His Eminence, Metropolitan Hilarion, paid an archpastoral visit to the Brotherhood of the Holy Cross in East Setauket, NY, where he celebrated the divine services for the great feast of the Elevation of the Precious & Life-Creating Cross of the Lord.

At the end of Matins, His Eminence tonsured Theodotus (Michael) Conrad a reader and then ordained him a subdeacon. Reader Elias (John) Ballard was awarded the right to wear an orarion.

At the Divine Liturgy, His Eminence was co-served by the Brotherhood’s abbot, Archimandrite Maximos (Weimar) and monastery clerics: Archimandrite John (Erickson), Hieromonk Silouan (Justiano), and Hierodeacon Dionysios (Hatcher), as well as Deacon Dionysius Lvov (cleric of the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City, accompanying the First Hierarch).

Upon completion of the Liturgy, Metropolitan Hilarion performed the Rite of the Elevation of the Cross. The cross used by His Eminence during the rite is particularly precious to the Brotherhood, since it contains a piece of the Living Cross of Our Lord.

His Eminence spoke at the end of the service about the importance of the Holy Cross in our lives. Archimandrite Maximos thanked His Eminence for coming to celebrate the great feast with the Brotherhood and all of their parishioners of Holy Cross.

After the service, a bountiful luncheon was served by the parish. All of the parishioners and guests enjoyed the meal and fellowship, and were reluctant to have the Metropolitan depart.

Media Office of the Eastern American Diocese