DIOCESE OF EASTERN AMERICA AND NEW YORK: November 22, 2006
His Eminence Metropolitan Laurus Prays at a Pannikhida Performed at St Seraphim Church On the 50 th Anniversary of the Episcopal Consecration of Archbishop Anthony (Medvedev, +2000)

On November 18, the feast day of St Jonah, Archbishop of Novgorod, as the Diocese of San Francisco and Western America celebrated the 50 th anniversary of the episcopal consecration of Archbishop Anthony, Mitred Protopriest Alexander Lebedeff led a pannikhida at St Seraphim's Church in Sea Cliff, NY, along with Priest Serafim Gan, the Parish Rector, and Priest Michael Crowley. Fr Alexander gave a preliminary sermon on the life of Vladyka Anthony. His Eminence Metropolitan Laurus prayed at the pannikhida, and in accordance with his instructions, Archbishop Nikon (Rklitsky) of Washington and Florida, who died 30 years ago, was also commemorated. The choir, composed of the youth in attendance, sang beautifully under the direction of Peter A Fekula.

At the trapeza that followed, organized by Warden Mikhail and Alla Ryl', those in attendance shared their memories of the late archpastors. The Parish Rector, welcoming Vladyka Laurus and the guests, stressed that Archbishop Anthony always remembered dates relating to the life and service to the Church of reposed clergymen and laypersons. As a director and one of the teachers of SS Cyril and Methodius High School, Vladyka Anthony always served as an example of love for the reposed, fervently praying for them and always calling upon everyone to remember them with gratitude for showing us the well-lived life, bringing light to this world, thereby making it just a little bit brighter.