July 11, 2013
Howell, NJ: Metropolitan Hilarion led the patronal feast day of Our Lady of Tikhvin Church

On Tuesday, July 9, the feast of the Tikhvin Icon of the Mother of God, parishioners of St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral celebrated the patronal feast day of the old St. Alexander Nevsky Church, renamed in honor of the sacred image of Tikhvin.

The First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad, His Eminence Hilarion, Metropolitan of Eastern America & New York, arrived in Howell and led the divine services. After the reading of the hours, Metropolitan Hilarion led the rite of Lesser Consecration (Renewal) of the church, as the nave and narthex were recently rebuilt and expanded.

At the Divine Liturgy, the Metropolitan was co-served by parish rector Protopresbyter Valery Lukianov, diocesan secretary Archpriest Serge Lukianov, Archpriest David Straut (rector of St. Elizabeth the New-Martyr Church in Rocky Hill, NJ), Priest Paul Ivanov (cleric of the Church of our Lady "The Inexhaustible Chalice" in Brooklyn, NY), Priest Leonid Goferman (rector of Holy Protection Church in New Brunswick, NJ), parish cleric Priest Seraphim Chemodakov, Priest Vadim Arefiev (rector of "Inexhaustible Chalice" Church), Priest Serge Ledkovsky (deputy rector of St. Vladimir Memorial Church in Jackson, NJ), parish Protodeacon Nicholas Lukianov, and Hierodeacon Tikhon (Gayfudinov; accompanying His Eminence).

Upon completion of the Liturgy, a procession was held around the church. After his sermon, Metropolitan Hilarion presented warden Alexander Levitsky an icon of the Protection of the Mother of God with a commemorative plaque, in thanks for his labors on behalf of the parish. A festal luncheon was then held in the parish hall.

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