NEW YORK: November 5, 2013
The First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia Celebrates his Namesday at the Synodal Cathedral

Sunday, November 3, 2013, the feast day of St Hilarion the Schemamonk of Pechersk, was the namesday of His Eminence Metropolitan Hilarion of Eastern America and New York, First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, who celebrated Divine Liturgy at the Synodal Cathedral of Our Lady “of the Sign.” He was joined by His Eminence Archbishop Gabriel of Montreal and Canada; His Grace Bishop George of Mayfield, the cathedral’s clergymen and a host of clerics of the Eastern American Diocese.

Archbishop Gabriel congratulated Metropolitan Hilarion on behalf of all the hierarchs of the Russian Church Abroad, wishing him robust health and heavenly aid in his difficult primatial service. Bishop George gave Vladyka Metropolitan a set of minor hierarchal vestments on behalf of the parishes of Eastern America. Protopriest Andrei Sommer read a greeting from the members of the Synodal Chancery:

Your Eminence, Dear Vladyko, bless!

On this chosen and holy day of yours, we have the pleasure of congratulating Your Eminence on the feast day of St Hilarion, Schemamonk of Pechersk, Metropolitan of Kiev and All Russia, who uttered the famous words of the “Sermon on the Law and Grace.” Happy namesday, Dear Vladyko!

With warm hearts do we pray the Chief Pastor, Christ, to prolong these treasured days of your zealous and glorious position at the helm of Holy Orthodoxy to the benefit of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, we pray for the consolation of your flock and all those who genuinely love you for many, many years.

May the Lord grant all of the pious clergymen and all Russian Orthodox members of your flock throughout the diaspora to spend this day in good health, in spiritual peace and pure joy.

Entrusting ourselves to your prayers, we are ever prepared to serve Your Eminence, devoted to Christ, earnest beseechers for your sake. (Signed by all the members of the Synod Chancery.)

Before the veneration of the cross, Metropolitan Hilarion expressed his heartfelt gratitude to all those who gathered for the celebration for their prayers, kind words and support. The cathedral sisterhood then offered all the hierarchs, clergymen and guests a splendid trapeza luncheon.