February 8, 2013
Khotkovo, Russia: Bishop George Visited the Orphanage at Holy Protection Convent

On Thursday, January 31, on the feast of the Holy Venerable Cyril & Maria – parents of St. Sergius of Radonezh – His Grace, Eastern American Diocesan vicar Bishop George of Mayfield, and those with him visited Holy Protection Convent in Khotkovo, a suburb of Moscow. His Grace prayed at the Divine Liturgy, venerated the relics of Sts. Cyril & Maria, and paid a visit to the children living at the convent’s orphanage.

Bishop George was visiting Russia from January 28 to February 8 in order to participate in the Council of Bishops, and came to the convent at the invitation of the rectress, Abbess Olympiada, on his way to Sergiev Posad. In accordance with old Russian custom, laid down by St. Sergius himself, His Grace and those with him stopped at Holy Protection Convent in order first to honor the venerable saint’s parents, only then proceeding to Holy Trinity-St. Sergius Lavra to the relics of St. Sergius, one of Russia’s most revered saints.

After the Divine Liturgy, concelebrated by Metropolitan Sergius of Ternopol and Archbishop Theognostus of Sergiev Posad, Vicar of His Holiness, the Patriarch of Moscow & All Russia, a reception was held for the guests. The orphans held a concert for their guests, singing several folk songs.

Holy Cross Monastery in West Virginia, of which Bishop George is the abbot, maintains close ties with Khotkovo. In 2008, the monastery’s publishing house release a book, The Life of Venerable Saints Cyril & Maria with an Akathist, which the children at the orphanage use to learn English. During the concert, the nuns and children sang the troparion to Sts. Cyril & Maria in English, which they had learned from the book.

At lunch, Bishop George delivered a short speech, thanking the abbess for her invitation and expressing his hope that, through the prayers of Sts. Cyril & Maria, the Lord might raise up many new holy homesteads, which will fortify the sacred institution of marriage and the family.

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