July 22, 2014
Rocky Hill, NJ: Metropolitan Hilarion leads Patronal Feast Day of St. Elizabeth the New-Martyr Church

On Friday, July 18, the feast of the martyric repose of the Venerable Nun-Martyrs Elizabeth and Barbara, the First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad, His Eminence Hilarion, Metropolitan of Eastern America & New York, paid an archpastoral visit to St. Elizabeth the New-Martyr Church in Rocky Hill, NJ and led its patronal feast day.

His Eminence was co-served at the Liturgy by Archpriest Liubo Milosevic (rector of Holy Trinity Church in Vineland, NJ), rector Archpriest David Straut, Priest Kevin Kalish (rector of Holy New Martyrs & Confessors of Russia Church in Norwich, CT), Hieromonk Tikhon (Gayfudinov; cell attendant to the First Hierarch), and parish Deacon Seraphim Komleski. Also praying in the altar was parish Deacon Steven Barker.

During the Sixth Hour, the Metropolitan ordained parish Reader Daniel Lieuwen a subdeacon. The new Subdeacon Daniel will continue his service at St. Elizabeth’s.

In his sermon, His Eminence spoke not only of the ascetic labors and martyr sufferings of the holy nun-martyrs Elizabeth and Barbara, but also of the simultaneous celebrations taking place in Russia in honor of the 700th anniversary of the birth of the great Russian ascetic and wonderworker St. Sergius of Radonezh, on whose feast day St. Elizabeth was brutally martyred. Metropolitan Hilarion called on the faithful to follow the virtuous and long-suffering example of these marvelous saints, who shined forth in spiritual beauty amidst terrible torments.

Upon completion of the Liturgy, a short moleben was served to St. Sergius and St. Elizabeth. The deacon then intoned the Polychronion for the archpastors, rector, clergy, parishioners, namesday celebrants, and all Orthodox Christians. Fr. Kevin’s presence was noted with special joy, as the parish’s former deacon had taken the long trek from his parish in Connecticut in order to spend the feast with his former parish.

After the service, the clergy, parishioners, and guests gathered beneath a tent behind the church, where the sisterhood had prepared a bountiful festal luncheon.

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