EASTERN AMERICAN DIOCESE: 5 August, 2024
The patronal feast day of St Seraphim Memorial Church is marked by a First Hierarchal service

On Tuesday, August 1, 2024, the feast day of St Seraphim the Wonderworker of Sarov, a large number of faithful gathered at St Seraphim Church in Sea Cliff, NY, the Memorial Church to the Reestablishment of Unity within the Russian Orthodox Church, despite the fact that it was a working day.

The festal service, celebrated by His Eminence Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America and New York, First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, and His Grace Bishop Theodosius of Seattle, vicar of the Western American Diocese, was distinguished by its extraordinary splendor and enthusiasm.

A solemn yet joyful atmosphere united all the participants of the holiday. Their faces radiated elation and peace. The night before, the minor blessing of water with an akathist to Venerable Seraphim and the all-night vigil with a litiya, the blessing of the loaves and the magnification of the saint were performed.

At the end of the evening service, the rector of the church, Archpriest Serafim Gan, invited all the clergy, singers and worshipers to a large reception in his apartment, arranged through the efforts of his wife and mother, which was held in a very friendly atmosphere.

Divine Liturgy was celebrated by the First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, co-served by His Grace Bishop Theodosius, rector of the church, local and visiting clergy (12 priests and 4 deacons), accompanied by jubilant singing by the parish choir under the direction of NicolasMiro.

At the pre-communion verse, a sermon on the theme of the feast was delivered by Bishop Theodosius. At the end of the Divine Liturgy, a moleben was performed to the Venerable Seraphim. His Eminence congratulated the rector, clergy and parishioners on their patronal feast. In response, the rector of the church, Fr Serafim, greeted and thanked the First Hierarch, Vladyka Theodosius, the clergy, altar boys, singers and worshipers, saying that the memory of Venerable Seraphim comforts Orthodox Christians who continue to stand before God in prayer for the restoration of peace on earth.

The feast ended with a traditional and magnificent feast offered by the Sisterhood of the church, headed by Elizabeth Mikheeva. The meal was held in an atmosphere of joy, spiritual unity and cohesion. Metropolitan Nicholas, Bishop Theodosius, clergymen and guests delivered warm words of greeting.

At the end of the meal, the rector of the church, once again expressing his gratitude to the archpastors, clergy, subdeacons, altar boys, singers, sisterhood and benefactors, wished everyone a peaceful disposition of spirit, mutual respect, patience with each other and brotherly love, around whose owners "thousands are saved," asking all the holy prayers.

www.stseraphimschurch.org