October 23, 2013
Nyack, NY: Metropolitan Hilarion leads Patronal Feast Day of Holy Virgin Protection Church

On Sunday, October 13, the celebration of the feast day of Holy Virgin Protection Church in Nyack, NY began with the greeting of the wonderworking Kursk Root Icon of the Mother of God, followed by the All-Night Vigil. Parish clergy were joined by Archpriest Serafim Gan (rector of St. Seraphim Memorial Church in Sea Cliff, NY), Priest Nicholas Olhovsky (guardian of the Icon), Protodeacon Joseph Jarostchuk (cleric of St. John of Kronstadt Memorial Church in Utica, NY), and Deacon George Temidis (cleric of Nativity of the Mother of God Church in Mahopac, NY).

The following morning, the clergy and faithful greeted the First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad, His Eminence, Metropolitan Hilarion. The Metropolitan was co-served at the Liturgy by parish rector Archpriest George Larin, Archpriest Victor Tseshkovsky (rector of Nativity of the Mother of God Church in Mahopac), Archpriest Ilya Gorsky (parish cleric), Archpriest Alexander Donchenko (rector of St. Nicholas Church in Poughkeepsie, NY), Fr. Nicholas Olhovsky, Fr. Joseph Jarostchuk, Protodeacon Dimitri Temidis (parish cleric), Protodeacon Serge Arlievsky (cleric of Holy Dormition Convent Novo-Diveevo in Nanuet, NY), and Fr. George Temidis.

After the Divine Liturgy, a procession was held around the church. The sisterhood then invited all clergy, parishioners, and guests to a festal luncheon in the parish hall.

Photos courtesy of S. Lopoukhine

Media Office of the Eastern American Diocese