On Thursday, May 6, our Parish family had a beautiful celebration. On that day the Church commemorates Holy Great Victorious Martyr George. This is a Patronal feast of our Parish.

This year our festal celebration was headed by His Eminence, Archbishop Gabriel of Montreal and Canada (ROCOR) who visited us by the blessing of the Interim Administrator of our Parishes, Bishop Matthew of Sourozh. Upon the arrival of His Eminence he was greeted by our Parish Warden Olga Roussanow at the entrance to the temple. Archbishop Gabriel entered the church where he was met by the Rector, Archpriest Igor Tarasov.

During the singing of the Third Paschal Hour the Archbishop was vesting in the altar. Then the Divine Liturgy had begun. It was concelebrated by our Rector, as well as by Protodeacon Igor Panachev, cleric of St. Nicholas Cathedral.

Following the Liturgy dismissal the Archbishop along with the serving clergy came out of the sanctuary to the middle of the temple and performed the rite of glorification singing the troparia, the kontakion and the magnification in honor of St. George. Archbishop Gabriel also proclaimed a prayer to St. George.

At the end of the Liturgy His Eminence preached a homily regarding continuous celebration of Pascha which this year coincided with the feast of St. George. He also congratulated the Rector and parishioners on the joyful Patronal feast of the parish. As a response to the Archbishop’s speech Archpriest Igor Tarasov greeted His Grace in our temple.

After the liturgical service the celebration of our Patronal feast continued at the picnic held on the church grounds where His Eminence, the clergy, our parishioners and guests together enjoyed very delicious food and a nice company.