JERUSALEM: August 2, 2017
The First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad Will Lead Divine Services Celebrating the 200th Anniversary of the Birth of Archimandrite Antonin (Kapustin)

On Thursday, August 24, 2017, celebrations will begin of the 200th anniversary of the birth of Archimandrite Antonin (Kapustin) at Ascension of the Lord Convent on the Mt of Olives in Jerusalem. Fr Antonin labored a great deal towards the establishment of the Russian presence in the Holy Land, providing accommodations for many thousands of pilgrims through the hospitality of the Russian Ecclesiastical Mission in Jerusalem, and prerserving many Christian holy sites.

That day, the eve the birthday of Fr Antonin, all-night Vigil will commence in the convent's Cathedral, where the body of the greatest of Chiefs of the REM is interred. On the following day, His Eminence Metropolitan Hilarion of Eastern America and New York, First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, will officiate at Divine Liturgy at 7:30 am, followed by a pannikhida.

A festive trapeza luncheon will then be offered, at which the film "Archimandrite Antonin (Kapustin): Builder of Russian Palestine" will be show, followed by the presentation of a Russian-language book titled Unpublished Sermons of Archimandrite Antonin (Kapustin).