November 16, 2012
Atlanta, GA: Metropolitan Hilarion led the Divine Services in Joy of All Who Sorrow Church

On Saturday the 10th and Sunday the 11th of November, the First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad, His Eminence Hilarion, Metropolitan of Eastern America & New York, paid an Archpastoral visit to the Church of our Lady "Joy of All Who Sorrow" in Atlanta, GA. The visit was occasioned by the parish’s patronal feast day, which had taken place on November 6.

On Saturday night, Metropolitan Hilarion led the All-Night Vigil, co-served by Archpriest John Townsend (rector of the neighboring St. Mary of Egypt Church in Atlanta), Archpriest Steven Ritter (cleric of Glorious Ascension Monastery in Resaca, GA), Hieromonk Cyprian (DuRant; cleric of St. Mary of Egypt OCA Church in Norcross, GA), parish rector Priest Eugene Antonov, Deacon John Hanson (cleric of St. Mary of Egypt Church in Atlanta), and parish Deacon Anton Kouznetsov.

The following morning, His Eminence celebrated the Divine Liturgy, co-served by the above-mentioned clergy (with the exception of Fr. Cyprian), as well as Archimandrite Maximos (Weimar; abbot of Holy Cross Brotherhood in East Setauket, NY). During the Sixth Hour, Steven Hanes (of St. Mary of Egypt parish) and Constantine Godfrey (of the parish at Holy Ascension Monastery) were tonsured readers. Around 130-140 people prayed at the service, of whom many communed. Upon completion of the Liturgy, parish Subdeacon Sotiry was awarded a diocesan Gramota for his 32 years of service to the Holy Church.

After Liturgy, a procession with moleben was held around the present church and the new church, currently under construction, followed by a luncheon in the parish hall.

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