July 15, 2015
Mayfield, PA: Metropolitan Hilarion leads Patronal Feast of St. John
the Baptist Cathedral, co-served by Bishop Saba of Georgian
Apostolic Church
On
Tuesday, July 7, His Eminence Hilarion, Metropolitan of Eastern
America & New York, led the patronal feast day of
St. John the Baptist Cathedral in
Mayfield, PA, co-served by His Grace, Bishop Saba, head of the
Georgian Apostolic Church in North America. The divine services were
held in the presence of the myrrh-streaming Hawaiian Iveron Icon of
the Mother of God.
On Monday evening, All-Night Vigil was led by parish rector
Archpriest John Sorochka, co-served by Archpriest David Hritcko (St.
Basil the Great Church in Simpson, PA), Archpriest Stephan Romanchak
(Holy Trinity Church in California, PA), Archpriest Liubo Milosevich
(Holy Trinity Church in Vineland, NJ), Archpriest George Alexson
(Greek Archdiocese), Priest Matthew Smith (cathedral cleric),
Hieromonk Tikhon (Gayfudinov; cleric of the Synodal Cathedral of the
Sign in New York City), Deacons Michael Pavuk and Nathaniel Sorochka
(cathedral clerics), and Deacon Dimitri Krenitsky (cleric of Holy
Trinity Church in Vineland). His Eminence prayed in the altar during
Vigil.
On
Tuesday morning, Metropolitan Hilarion celebrated the Divine
Liturgy. The First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad was
co-served by Bishop Saba, and the above-mentioned clergy, as well as
Archpriest Petro Kruashvili (rector of St. Grigol of Khandzta
Georgian Church in Manville, NJ), Archpriest Stavros Rousos
(cathedral cleric), Archpriest Basil Micek (rector of Sts. Peter &
Paul Church MP in Scranton, PA), Archpriest Claude Vinyard
(cathedral cleric), Archpriest Michael Lepa (rector of St. Nicholas
Church MP in Wilkes-Barre, PA), Archpriest Paul Schellbach (rector
of All Saints Church OCA in Olyphant, PA), Abbot German (Ciuba;
rector of St. Stephan’s Church in Old Forge, PA), Priest James
Dougherty (ROCOR cleric), Protodeacon Gregory Petrochko and
Protodeacon Stephen Howanetz (cathedral clerics), Deacon Herman
(ROCOR cleric), and Deacon Michael Wengrin (cleric of St. Basil’s
Church in Simpson).
During
the hours, Schemamonk Ilia (Musallam) was tonsured into the rank of
reader and then ordained a subdeacon. After the consecration of the
Holy Gifts, Subdeacon Ilia was ordained to the diaconate by
Metropolitan Hilarion.
At the conclusion of the Hierarchal Liturgy, a short moleben was
served to the Mother of God and St. John the Baptist.
It was a joyous day for the cathedral and all of the parishioners,
as well as those who had traveled from near and far to be present
for the feast. The presence of the Hawaiian Iveron Icon of the
Mother of God was truly a blessing for all who were praying in the
cathedral; the presence of His Grace, Bishop Saba, and the Georgian
faithful and visitors from other parishes was heartwarming, as well.
A festal banquet was held in the cathedral’s parish center, prepared
by the ladies of the cathedral, which gave the parishioners of St.
John’s, visiting clergy, and faithful the opportunity to share in
conversation and fellowship in honor of St. John the Baptist.
Media Office of the Eastern
American Diocese
based on materials from
www.stjohnsmayfield.org
