December 30, 2010
Washington, DC: Bishop George of Mayfield led the divine services in
St. John the Baptist Cathedral
On
Saturday, December 25, His Grace George, Bishop of Mayfield, vicar
bishop of the Eastern American Diocese, visited
St. John the Baptist Cathedral in the American capital,
accompanying the wonderworking Kursk Root Icon of the Mother of God.
His Grace led the All-Night Vigil, co-served by cathedral rector
Archpriest Victor Potapov, Eastern American Diocesan secretary
Archpriest Serge Lukianov, and cathedral clergy.
The following morning, Bishop George celebrated the Divine Liturgy,
co-served by the above-mentioned clergy. After Liturgy, a short
moleben was served before the wonderworking icon.
On behalf of the First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad, His
Eminence Hilarion, Metropolitan of Eastern America and New York,
Bishop George congratulated Fr. Victor and Matushka Maria Potapov on
the 40th anniversary of Fr. Victor’s ordination. His Grace thanked
them for their dedicated service to Christ’s Holy Church, and
presented them with an icon of the New Martyrs of Russia, with a
commemorative plaque.
A bountiful luncheon was offered in the parish hall, during which
two akathists – one in Slavonic, one in English – were served before
the Kursk Root Icon. This allowed parishioners to spend more time in
prayer to the Most Holy Theotokos. Parishioners did not wish to part
with the Icon, and escorted it out to the car, the whole while
singing hymns to the Mother of God. The Icon then departed
Washington for neighboring Baltimore.
O Most Holy Theotokos, save us!
Republication of
materials must include a reference to: "Eastern American Diocese
www.eadiocese.org."
