June 28, 2014
Miami, FL: Metropolitan Hilarion Visits St. Matrona of Moscow Church

On Sunday, June 15, during his Archpastoral visit to Florida, Metropolitan Hilarion of Eastern America & New York, First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad, celebrated the Divine Liturgy in St. Matrona of Moscow Church in Hallandale (Miami), FL. The First Hierarch was co-served by Florida dean and parish rector Archimandrite Alexander (Belya), Archpriest Serghei Prisacaru (cleric of the Moldovan Church (MP), and Hieromonk Tikhon (Gayfudinov; cleric of the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City, accompanying His Eminence).

The visit of a Church Primate is always a joyous event for the faithful. This time, the church barely fit all those in attendance – almost two hundred people gathered for the divine services. Addressing the faithful, Metropolitan Hilarion noted that liturgical and parish life in Florida has recently sprung to life, and been strengthened thanks to the tireless efforts of Fr. Alexander. His Eminence also awarded Synodal Gramotas to Tatiana Matvienko and Elena Prokofiev for their ongoing and fruitful work on behalf of their home parish.

One more joyous event took place that day ‒ the arrival of the church’s large main icon, which includes four separate icons of the Mother of God, each of which is renowned for providing special grace to everything relating to the fullness of motherhood: "Helper in Birth," "Milkgiver" (or "Nursing"), "Teacher," and "Leaping of the Babe." The icon is approximately 4.25’x3’, and was written in the Kiev Caves Lavra. With great difficulty, it was delivered from Kiev by the parish warden, Ivan Belya. Metropolitan Hilarion made special note of the fact that this icon, both splendid and much needed for the people, was a gift from the Bogatov family, who are regular benefactors of the parish.

After the Liturgy, a festal luncheon was held, attended by Metropolitan Hilarion, parish clergy, and invited parishioners. During the sincere and friendly discussion that took place, the parishioners spoke to their Archpastor about parish life and about the miraculous healings and other instances of God’s aid, which constantly take place in the church of the blessed eldress Matrona.

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