November
22, 2010 Paterson,
NJ: Metropolitan Hilarion celebrated the Liturgy in St. Michael’s
Church on the 25th anniversary of Metropolitan Philaret’s repose
On Sunday, November
21, on the feast day of the Holy Archangel Michael and the other
Heavenly Bodiless Hosts, the First Hierarch of the Russian Church
Abroad, His Eminence Hilarion, Metropolitan of Eastern America and New
York, celebrated the Divine Liturgy in St.
Michael’s Church in Paterson, NJ. The First Hierarch came to
Paterson specifically, not only to mark the parish’s patronal feast
day, but also in order to honor the memory of one of his predecessors,
Metropolitan Philaret
(Voznesensky), on the 25th anniversary of his blessed repose.
His Eminence was
co-served by the Dean of New England and Upstate New York, Archpriest
George Larin, Eastern American Diocesan Secretary Archpriest Serge
Lukianov, rector Archpriest George Zelenin, Protodeacon Sergei
Arlievsky (cleric of Holy Dormition Convent in Novo-Diveevo, NY),
Deacon Leonid Roschko (cleric of St. George’s Church in Howell, NJ),
Hierodeacon Panteleimon (Jigalin; cleric of the Australian Diocese),
and Deacon Anthony Bryant (cleric of St. Katherine Church in Pelion,
SC).
During the Small
Entrance, Metropolitan Hilarion awarded Protodeacon Sergei the right
to wear the kamilavka for his fervent work on behalf of Christ’s
Holy Church. After the Great Entrance, His Eminence ordained Fr.
Anthony to the priesthood.
In his sermon,
Metropolitan Hilarion praised Metropolitan Philaret as one of the
pillars of the Church Abroad, under whose guidance the Holy New
Martyrs and Confessors of Russia were glorified. As the last bishop to
be ordained by Metropolitan Philaret, His Eminence shared some
personal thoughts and memories of Vladyka.
After the Liturgy,
a litiya was served for the repose of Metropolitan Philaret and his
parents, Archbishop Dimitry and the handmaiden of God Lydia. A banquet
was then offered in the parish hall, during which Fr. Serge Lukianov
gave a short presentation on the life and service of Metropolitan
Philaret. After the presentation, a unique photomontage on the life
and repose of our beloved Vladyka was shown. The montage, compiled by
the by the Diocesan Media Office, featured over 200 historic
photographs of Met. Philaret and was accompanied by a special
soundtrack consisting of liturgical music and live audio recordings of
Vladyka’s sermons. The combination of historic photographs and
recordings of Metropolitan Philaret had a profound impact on the
audience.
After the montage,
His Eminence Metropolitan Hilarion gave the closing remarks and
stressed the importance of honoring the memory of our beloved
Metropolitan Philaret. Vladyka expressed his sincere gratitude to the
rector and parishioners for hosting such a wonderful event. His
Eminence also thanked the Russian Youth Committee for their financial
support and sponsorship of the montage presentation. For the last 25
years, the Youth Committee has worked tirelessly to preserve the
memory of Met. Philaret and has graciously provided support to the
Diocesan Media Office to assist in the research and design of the
montage.
With the blessing of
Metropolitan Hilarion, the montage on Metropolitan Philaret’s life
will be shown in certain parishes during the visitation tour of the
Kursk Root Icon.
Click
here for an historical portrait of Met. Philaret:
Republication
of materials must include a reference to:
"Eastern American
Diocese www.eadiocese.org."
