October 30, 2013
Rochester, NY: Archpastoral Visit and Priestly Ordination at Protection of the Mother of God Church

On Saturday the 19th and Sunday the 20th of October, Metropolitan Hilarion performed an Archpastoral visit to Protection of the Mother of God Church in Rochester, NY, in honor of the parish’s recent pastoral feast day, held October 14th.

The First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad celebrated the Divine Liturgy on Sunday morning, co-served by parish rector Archpriest Gregory Naumenko, Heiromonk Theophylact (Clapper-DeWell; cleric of Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville), Archpriest Peter Jackson (rector of Sts. Theodore Church in Buffalo, NY), Protodeacon Andrej Strapko and Deacon Nikifor Franklin (parish clerics), as well as Deacons Andrew Hammond and John Boddecker (clerics of Sts. Theodore Church).

At the Sixth Hour, parish Reader Nathan Reff was ordained a subdeacon; after the Great Entrance, His Eminence ordained Deacon John to the priesthood. The newly ordained Priest John will fulfill his service at Sts. Theodore Church, replacing the current rector. Fr. Peter and his Matushka Styliana are departing for Guatemala, where they will continue their earlier missionary work among the local population.

Upon completion of the Liturgy, a procession was held around the church, after which the Metropolitan presented Fr. Gregory and Matushka Maria Naumenko a diocesan Gramota in recognition for their 30 years of service to Christ’s Church. After the service, a bountiful luncheon was offered by the sisterhood in the parish hall, during which parishioners were able to continue their interaction with their Hierarch. Toward the end of lunch, Fr. Peter presented a slideshow about his upcoming work in Guatemala, after which parishioners held a plate collection to benefit his missionary travels.

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