New York, May 20, 2013
Saturday, May 18, 2013, marked the fifth anniversary of the enthronement of His Eminence Metropolitan Hilarion of Eastern America and New York as First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia. That day, His Eminence officiated at Divine Liturgy at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Sign in New York, joined by clergymen of the cathedral, the Primate’s chancery and the tri-state area. His Grace Bishop Jerome prayed in the altar. The Synodal Choir sang splendidly under the direction of Peter Fekula.
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After dismissal, Protopriest Serafim Gan congratulated His Eminence on behalf of the clergymen, parishioners and worshipers, wishing the hierarch “the all-powerful, all-strengthening and bountiful aid of God in leading the Russian Church Abroad, which was entrusted to you on the day of your enthronement as her Primate, and all of her members to the Chief Pastor, Christ, Who even now inspires you with His Resurrection.”
In his response, Vladyka Metropolitan noted that he does not feel alone in his service, that the prayers of others helps him in his work, as do the tireless labors and devotion of the archpastors, pastors, monastics and laypersons of the Holy Church, expressing his profound gratitude to everyone who gathered to pray on this day. After the service, the cathedral sisterhood offered an abundant trapeza, during which the clergymen, cathedral Warden Serge Yakushin, the sisterhood and parishioners in turn congratulated Metropolitan Hilarion and wished him many more fruitful years in good health.
