July 19, 2013
Columbia, SC: Metropolitan Hilarion led the Patronal Feast Day of St. Elizabeth the New-Martyr Church

On Wednesday the 17th and Thursday the 18th of July, the day on which we commemorate the martyr deaths of the Holy Venerable Nun Martyrs Grand Duchess Elizabeth and Barbara, the parishioners of St. Elizabeth the New-Martyr Church in Columbia, SC celebrated their patronal feast day.

The First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad, His Eminence Hilarion, Metropolitan of Eastern America & New York, performed an Archpastoral visit to the state’s capital and led the divine services. His Eminence’s last visit was in 2009; in that time, the parish has moved to a new church property; this was Metropolitan Hilarion’s first time performing the divine services in the new church.

On Saturday evening, the Metropolitan served the All-Night Vigil, co-served by Archimandrite Maximos (Weimar; abbot of Holy Cross Brotherhood in East Setauket, NY), parish rector Archpriest Mark Mancuso, Priest Eugene Antonov (rector of the Church of our Lady, "Joy of All Who Sorrow," in Atlanta, GA), parish Deacon Columba Wilson, and Deacon Jeremiah Davis (cleric of Holy Cross Monastery in Wayne, WV).

The following morning, the First Hierarch celebrated the Divine Liturgy; he was co-served by the above-mentioned clergy, as well as by Archpriest Anastasy Yatrelis (rector of Sts. Cyril & Methodius Church in Summerville, SC), Archpriest Thomas Moore (rector of Holy Apostles OCA Church in West Columbia, SC), Archpriest Onouphry Keith (cleric of St. Nicholas Church in Fletcher, NC; retired), and Priest Steven Webb (rector of St. Nicholas Church). Although the torrential rain and storming had ceased prior to the beginning of the service and the sun shone brightly, the church was nonetheless left without power early in the morning, and Proskomedia was served by candlelight. Thank God, the power came back on mere moments before the greeting of His Eminence, and the Liturgy was served without any disturbance.

After the Liturgy, a short moleben was served to St. Elizabeth, after which a bountiful festal luncheon was served in the parish hall. Upon completion of the luncheon, the Metropolitan met with the members of the parish council, who spoke with him about parish life: the move to a new church building and the renovation of the parish hall, the church’s iconography project, parish growth, and more. That evening, Metropolitan Hilarion departed for the airport and returned to New York.

 

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