On
Saturday, May 2nd and Sunday, May 3rd, the Holy
Myrrhbearers Diocesan Women’s Choir under the direction of Eugenia Temidis,
upheld its 12 year tradition and marked the Paschal feast of their heavenly
patronesses by singing the All-Night Vigil and Divine Liturgy at the Church of
Our Lady of Kazan in Newark NJ. The Women’s Choir currently consists of 16
active singers from 8 different parishes of our Diocese of Eastern America and
New York
. Every year for this particular celebration, the Women’s Choir invites its
past members and all interested female singers to join them.
This
year, the group was especially honored to sing at the personal invitation of
His Eminence, Metropolitan Hilarion, who presided over both services along
with parish Rector Archpriest Mark Burachek and Deacon Dimitri Temidis. These
services coincidentally marked the 20th anniversary of Father
Mark’s priesthood, who was awarded the right to wear an epigonation (palitsa)
at the Small Entrance by His Eminence.
At
the end of Sunday’s Liturgy, Metropolitan Hilarion paid homage to the
Women’s Choir for their singing and all those who selflessly serve the
Church in the image of the Holy Myrrhbearers with kind words of praise and
congratulations. Father Mark invited all to share in a celebratory trapeza
luncheon where all were treated to the parish Sisterhood’s wonderful food
and generous hospitality. There,
Father Mark expressed warm thanks to His Eminence for both his visit and his
holy prayers. Likewise, the beloved rector was offered many heartfelt
congratulations and statements of gratitude for his dedicated service.
Photo-report
of the feastday.
