Русская Версия

November 4, 2009
New York: The Namesday of His Eminence, Metropolitan Hilarion

On Tuesday the 2nd and Wednesday the 3rd of November, the celebration of the namesday of the First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad, His Eminence Hilarion, Metropolitan of Eastern America and New York, took place in the Cathedral of the Sign in New York. His Eminence was co-served by Bishop Gabriel of Montreal and Canada and Eastern American diocesan vicar bishops George of Mayfield and Jerome of Manhattan, as well as a multitude of clergy from the whole diocese and ROCOR, having come to prayerfully congratulate their Archpastor and First Hierarch on the occasion of his namesday. The Hierarchal Synodal Choir, under the direction of Mr. Peter Fekula, adorned the service with its prayerful and wondrous singing. During the Communion of the Clergy, Mitred Archpriest Victor Potapov delivered a remarkable sermon.

Upon completion of the Liturgy, Metropolitan Hilarion was awarded the Kursk Root Order of the Sign 1st Class, in honor of the upcoming 25th anniversary of his elevation to the episcopacy.

On behalf of the parishes of the Eastern American diocese, diocesan secretary Archpriest Serge Lukianov greeted His Eminence, saying in part:

“Your Eminence! Today the whole Russian Diaspora rejoices, and the Eastern American and Australian Dioceses celebrate especially. For today, the Holy Church honors the memory of the great schemamonk, the Venerable St. Hilarion of the Caves, Your Eminence's heavenly patron. With great esteem and filial love we congratulate you on behalf of your entire flock with your Saint's Day, and wish that the Lord God grant you health, fortifying your spiritual and physical strengths in the great undertaking of your archpastoral service in Christ's vineyard.”

Following this, Priest Nikolai Manduke (member of the Diocesan Council) presented the Metropolitan a silver cross and panagia from the holy city of Jerusalem with a commemorative inscription on behalf of the parishes, clergy, and faithful children of the Eastern American diocese. In the Synodal hall, a bountiful luncheon was served in honor of the First Hierarch, during which many came forward with warm words of congratulations.

His Eminence also received the following greeting from His Holiness Patriarch Kyrill of Moscow and all Russia:

To His Eminence Hilarion, Metropolitan of Eastern American and New York, First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad

 Your Eminence!

I sincerely congratulate you on the day we commemorate your heavenly intercessor, the Venerable Saint Hilarion, schemamonk of the Kiev Caves, Metropolitan of Kiev, and wish you every blessing and the almighty aid of God in your vital archpastoral post.

I offer up my prayer to the Source of all goodness, that He might bless you with spiritual peace and firm health. May our Most Holy Lady Theotokos, by Her maternal intercessions, entreat the Lord for His bountiful mercy on Your Eminence and the Russian Church Abroad that you head, that God’s people living under your omophorion might unceasingly grow in spirit, fortified in the Orthodox faith.

With love in Christ

+KYRILL, PATRIARCH OF MOSCOW AND ALL RUSSIA  

Media Office of the Eastern American Diocese