December 22, 2011
Beltsville, MD: Metropolitan Hilarion’s Archpastoral Visit to Holy Apostles Church

On Friday the 2nd and Saturday the 3rd of December, the First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad, His Eminence Hilarion, Metropolitan of Eastern America & New York, performed an archpastoral visit to Beltsville, MD, and led the divine services in Holy Apostles Church.

His Eminence was co-served by Archpriest John Townsend (rector of St. Mary of Egypt Church in Atlanta, GA), Archpriest Vladimir Danylevich (cleric of the Entrance of the Theotokos Convent in Washington, DC), Archpriest Theodoros Daoud (rector of Nativity of the Theotokos Antiochian Church in Hunt Valley, MD), parish rector Archpriest George Johnson, Priest John Vass (rector of Holy Trinity Church in Baltimore, MD), Priest John Johnson (cleric of St. John the Baptist Cathedral in Washington, DC), Priest Robert Miclean (rector of Holy Archangels Mission in Annapolis, MD), Deacon Michael Bishop (cleric of Holy Trinity Church in Baltimore), Deacons Damian Dantinne and John Dean (clerics of St. John the Baptist Cathedral), and parish Deacon Christopher Johnson.

The small church was filled to capacity with over 100 faithful present for the feast. According to the rector, Archpriest George Johnson, the overwhelming number of worshippers brought great joy to the parish community.

"The event puts me in mind of the post-Resurrection encounter of the disciples with the Lord after their unsuccessful fishing outing. The disciples ended up catching 153 fish upon the Lord’s instructions. ‘For all there were so many, yet was not the net broken.’ Our little altar area had never held so many, but there was never a sense of crowding."

Durging the Divine Liturgy, His Eminence ordained Subdeacon Damascenos (Haemmerli) a hierodeacon (the following day, Metropolitan Hilarion would ordain Hierodeacon Damascenos a hieromonk. Fr. Damascenos is assigned to Entrance of the Theotokos Convent in Washington). The First Hierarch also ordained parish Deacon Christopher Johnson, son of the rector, a priest.

Most people rarely have the opportunity to witness an ordination in their parish, but the parishioners of Holy Apostle Church have witnessed three ordinations in the past year. According to Fr. George, the spiritual joy that was felt during the ordination was difficult to describe.

"Watching my son have the bishop’s hands laid on him and the bishop praying into his ear lit up my memory of my own ordination," said Fr. George. "At that moment, I looked over them and saw Matushka Deborah was in the same place I was. Human tongues are not adequate for describing this. While in no way entertaining a comparison with him, one thinks of Holy Apostle Paul’s remark about seeing things ‘not lawful to report.’"

Fr. Christopher’s ordination was a significant day in the life of the parish and the Johnson family, who share a special connection with Metropolitan Hilarion.

"The Metropolitan’s prayers and blessings have been fundamental to the life of our mission since before it was founded," explained Fr. George. "It has been my great privilege to be myself tonsured and ordained to all the clerical offices by His Eminence."

According to Metropolitan Hilarion, it is especially joyful to see that Fr. Christopher spend so much time in campus youth ministry, speaking about Orthodoxy in local universities.

"It is always wonderful to see young men follow in the footsteps of their fathers and take up the priestly cross. Fr. Christopher has served as the parish choir conductor for many years and is actively involved with youth ministry at local colleges. There are many temptations for young people at colleges and universities, and the presence of an Orthodox priest is very beneficial for their salvation. With such a great demand for this type of on-campus missionary work, I encourage everyone to reach out to and help our young people."

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