July 1, 2013
Vineland, NJ: Metropolitan Hilarion led the Patronal Feast of Holy Trinity Church

The great feast of the Holy Life-Creating Trinity – Pentecost – is marked by Russian Orthodox Christians with particular triumph and fanfare. In accordance with centuries-old custom, on this day the holy churches are adorned with fresh flowers and other greenery. Even the floor is covered, as though it were a living carpet, with neatly strewn grasses and assorted flower petals. Such external beauty on this festal day invariably carries over to the inner spiritual side of the faithful, creating in their hearts joyous feelings of celebration.

On the occasion of this great feast day, the First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad, His Eminence Hilarion, Metropolitan of Eastern America & New York, came to the Church of the Most-Holy Trinity in Vineland, NJ to perform the divine services.

The First Hierarch led the Vigil, co-served by parish rector Archpriest Liubo Milosevich, Priest Eugene Solodky (cleric and former rector of St. Andrew's Cathedral in Philadelphia, PA), and Hierodeacon Tikhon (Gayfudinov; cleric of the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City, accompanying the Metropolitan). The parish choir sang touchingly and harmoniously. In his pleasing baritone, parish Deacon Serge Ohotin read the Six Psalms distinctly and in a heartfelt manner, Fr. Eugene read the canon, and Alla Ivantsiv read the First Hour in her sonorous and melodic voice.

The following day, the Divine Liturgy was celebrated, and clergy were joined by Deacon Anatoly Revitskyy (cleric of Joy of All Who Sorrow Church in Philadelphia). The deacon’s velvet bass and the hierodeacon’s musical tenor, joined in chorus with canorous singing of the choir, created an inexpressibly celebratory and prayerful atmosphere.

At the end of the Liturgy, Metropolitan Hilarion delivered a wonderful sermon, at the conclusion of which he called on the faithful to preserve at all costs the grace-filled peace of the Church in a bond of unity and love between themselves and those gathered, that the Lord might grant them strength, fortitude, and good health, as well as the grace and joy of interaction with God.

Leonid Maskalev, , and Larissa Falasco. Following the service, an abundant luncheon was served in the parish hall, during which Metropolitan was given a prayer rope as a gift.

Honorific diocesan Gramotas were then read and presented to several parishioners. His Eminence presented the first Gramota to choir director Vera Solodky for her earnest efforts in developing and improving church singing in the parish; His Eminence presented the second Gramota to head sister Galina Shevchuk for her hard work in organizing and securing the parish’s material wellbeing; the third, to Leonid Maskalev for taking the initiative in organizing the full frescoing of the church; the fourth, to Larissa Falaso for her generous donation of a consider sum toward the frescoing project.

Later, the Polychronion was intoned for the Church hierarchy, clergy, and parishioners. The First Hierarch then gave everyone his Archpastoral blessing and proceeded under the peal of bells to the parish hall, where a festal luncheon was served. Upon completion of the luncheon, "many and blessed years" were sung for the gathered faithful.

A participant of the feast.

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