May 21, 2013
Novo-Diveevo: Metropolitan Hilarion led the St. Thomas Sunday festivities at Holy Dormition Convent

On St. Thomas Sunday, May 12, the First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad, His Eminence Hilarion, Metropolitan of Eastern America & New York, led the largest Radonitsa – Krasnaya Gorka celebration in the Church Abroad at Holy Dormition Convent "Novo-Diveevo" in Nanuet, NY. The morning began with a light drizzle, but as the greeting of the Metropolitan began, the clouds gave way to brilliant sunshine and a bright blue sky. Pilgrims, parishioners, visitors, and Orthodox theme vendors gathered from all around the tri-state area and beyond. The cemetery was closed to vehicles due to the multitude of people on the grounds. The local police department controlled the flow of traffic leading to the convent, and the elderly and those needing assistance were transported by volunteers from the parking areas to the church and cemetery.

The Metropolitan celebrated the Divine Liturgy, co-served by His Eminence Gabriel, Archbishop of Montreal & Canada, and the clergy of Novo-Diveevo and Holy Virgin Protection Church in Nyack, NY. The Liturgy was sung by a joint choir of Novo-Diveevo and Nyack choristers. A great number of people partook in confession and Holy Communion. Following the uplifting Liturgy, a procession was led into the cemetery, where Archbishop Gabriel served a general panihida (memorial service) for all the souls interred and memorialized in the cemetery. Following the panihida, the procession returned to the church, where people were able to venerate the cross, and the Artos was distributed.

The serving hierarchs and clergy were treated to a bountiful luncheon in the parish hall, while families and friends gathered with each other at loved ones’ gravesites. Some tended to graves, others brought picnic lunches, while other priests and clergy members arrived from local parishes to serve panihidas. The joyous Paschal greeting of "Christ is Risen!" and panihida hymns were heard all around the cemetery. Visitors and clergy remained on the grounds till the early evening, while the vendors sold everything from ethnic foods, matryoshkas, books, and religious items. People enjoyed themselves, meeting with friends and family, strolling the grounds, or just sitting under a tree and taking in the serenity of Novo-Diveevo.

Subdeacon Adrian Fedorowski

Photos: Matushka Elizaveta Temidis