April 10, 2013
Wayne, WV: The Southern Clergy Retreat concluded with the Hierarchal Presanctified Liturgy

Wednesday, April 10, marked the final day of the Southern Lenten Retreat for clergy of the Eastern American Diocese and the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA at Holy Cross Monastery in Wayne, WV. The retreat concluded with the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts, led by the First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad, His Eminence, Metropolitan Hilarion, in neighboring Christ the Savior Church. The First Hierarch was concelebrated by His Grace, Bishop George, and retreat participants, while the Liturgy was sung by the monastery choir.

During the Sixth Hour, James Latimer (parishioner of St. Nicholas Church in Fletcher, NC) was tonsured a reader. During the Little Entrance, Archpriest George Johnson (rector of Holy Apostles Church in Beltsville, MD) was awarded the palitsa; Priest Gabriel Weller (cleric of Holy Myrrhbearers Church in Harrisonburg, MD), the purple skufia; and Priests Matthew Smith (cleric of Holy Protection Chapel in Chattanooga, TN) and Eugene Antonov (rector of "Joy of All Who Sorrow" Church in Atlanta, GA), the nabedrennik.

In his closing remarks at the conclusion of the Liturgy, Metropolitan Hilarion thanked Bishop George, abbot of Holy Cross Monastery, and the brotherhood for their hospitality, as well as rector Priest Jonah Campbell and parishioners. His Eminence congratulated the newly awarded priests and added, "I want to congratulate everyone with this beautiful and grace-filled day, when we were able to celebrate the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts together in this Church of Christ the Savior. I would like to thank all those who toiled earnestly for the successful organization and completion of this Lenten Retreat. We have all been enriched by our experiences during the last three days, and I hope that we will remain spiritually uplifted as we return to our homes and parishes. May God bless and protect all of you!"

In turn, Bishop George thanked the Metropolitan for coming to West Virginia and leading the retreat, and for the Archpastoral love he has shown to his clergy. A luncheon as then held in the parish hall, and on that note, the retreat drew to a close.


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