WASHINGTON DC: September 9, 2010
The Icon of the Mother of God “Softening of Hardened Hearts” Will Visit St John the Baptist Church in Washington DC

On September 10 and 11, 2010, the feast day of St John the Baptist Cathedral in Washington, DC, the Myrrh-streaming Icon of the Mother of God “Softening of Hardened Hearts” will be brought to the church. His Eminence Metropolitan Hilarion of Eastern America and New York will officiate at divine services. Vladyka Metropolitan will be joined by His Eminence Archbishop Justinian of Naro-Fominsk, His Grace Bishop George of Mayfield and a host of clergymen.

At 6 pm on Friday, September 10, the Icon will be greeted and a short moleben will be performed, followed by all-night vigil at 6 pm. At 8:30 on Saturday, September 11, there will be a small blessing of the waters, followed by the reading of the hours at 9:10 and greeting of Metropolitan Hilarion at 9:30. After Divine Liturgy, there will be a procession of the cross and the consecration of a new memorial to St John of Shanghai, followed by a festive trapeza luncheon in the church hall and courtyard.

Subdeacon John Dean is to be ordained to the deaconate during Divine Liturgy. At 6:30 on Saturday evening, Bishop George will lead all-night vigil.

On Sunday, September 12, Bishop George will officiate at the early English-language Liturgy, during which Subdeacon Victor Klimenko will be consecrated as deacon. The greeting of Vladyka George is scheduled for 7:30 am (hours will be read beforehand). Slavonic Liturgy will commence at the usual time, at 10:10 am.