August 1, 2009
Sea Cliff, NY: Metropolitan Hilarion celebrated the Divine Liturgy at St. Seraphim's Church

On Saturday, August 1, on the feast of the Finding of the Relics of St. Seraphim of Sarov, His Eminence, Metropolitan Hilarion, First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad, celebrated the Divine Liturgy in St. Seraphim's Church in Sea Cliff, NY, in honor of the parish feast day. His Eminence was co-served by a multitude of clergy in the presence of many faithful. After the Divine Liturgy, a procession around the church was held, after which His Eminence blessed a new icon on the high place of the altar. This icon is the first of many which will adorn the walls of St. Seraphim's Church as part of a unique iconography project, dedicated to the millennial path of the Russian Orthodox Church, from the baptism of Russia to the signing of the Act of Canonical Communion, which reunited the two parts of the Russian Church. A gramota from the Metropolitan was then awarded to the parish sisterhood, led by head sister A.N. Ryl, for their zealous work in the Holy Church. A plentiful luncheon was held on the parish grounds, during which congratulatory remarks were offered to the parish and its rector, Archpriest Serafim Gan, who is celebrating his namesday today.

Media Office of the Eastern American Diocese