November 21, 2012
Howell, NJ: Members of the Diocesan Council Congratulated Metropolitan Hilarion with his Namesday

On Thursday, November 15, at a regular session of the Diocesan Council in Howell, NJ, the Right Reverend Vicars and Council members congratulated the First Hierarch of ROCOR, His Eminence Hilarion, Metropolitan of Eastern America & New York, on the occasion of his namesday. The official celebration of the Metropolitan’s namesday on November 3 was cancelled, owing to the encroachment of Hurricane Sandy. His Eminence spent his namesday with the brethren of Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville, NY.

Prior to the beginning of the meeting, His Grace George, Bishop of Mayfield, read a prayer of thanksgiving to the Lord for the health and long life of His Eminence, after with Deacon George Temidis intoned the Polychronion.

On behalf of all the faithful children of the Eastern American Diocese, Bishop George read aloud a congratulatory letter from the Diocesan Council, which read as follows:

"On behalf of all of your spiritual children, we greet you belatedly on the occasion of the feast of St. Hilarion of the Caves, your patron saint, and present you this humble gift as a token of the filial love and affection we all feel. Attached is a list of the parishes that contributed to the gift, although we can say with certainty that the number of parishes who kept Your Eminence in their love and prayers is not limited to these alone.

"We, the faithful children of the Eastern American Diocese, had eagerly awaited Your Eminence’s namesday, when we would gather to glorify God and commune together, then greeting you and presenting you this gift. Clearly the Lord had other plans, and meant for you to spend your saint’s day away from the pomp and circumstance of the cathedral, surrounded instead by the relics of your holy predecessors, Metropolitan Anatassy, Philaret, and Laurus at Holy Trinity Monastery. We have no doubt that this change of venue was nonetheless a cause for great spiritual joy, as you passed your namesday in quiet, monastic prayer. We are grateful to our Lord Jesus Christ for sending us a meek and humble Archpastor, a prayerful intercessor before the Altar of God on behalf of us all."

A matching cross and panagia set, blessed on the Tomb of Christ in Jerusalem, was presented to His Eminence on behalf of the Diocese, along with a monetary offering. A list of parishes who contributed to the namesday gift was also presented. The First Hierarch expressed his sincere gratitude to the Vicar Bishops and all the faithful of the Eastern American Diocese.

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