On Tuesday the 11th and Wednesday the 12th of September – the feast of the Translation of the Relics of the Holy Right-Believing Great Prince Alexander Nevsky – Metropolitan Hilarion of Eastern America & New York led the All-Night Vigil and celebrated Divine Liturgy in St. Alexander Nevsky Diocesan Cathedral in Howell, NJ, in honor of its patronal feast day. Prior to the start of Vigil, the myrrh-streaming Hawaiian-Iveron Icon of the Mother of God arrived at the cathedral, and was greeted in procession by the clergy.

Singing the All-Night Vigil and Divine Liturgy was the St. Alexander Nevsky Male Choir under the direction of Maestro Vladimir Gorbik (Conductor of the Holy Trinity-St. Sergius Lavra Representation Church in Moscow) and Alexandra Lukianov (cathedral choir conductor). Audio recordings of the services are available here:

All-Night Vigil - Divine Liturgy

At the Little Entrance, Hieromonk Tikhon (Gayfudinov; abbot of Holy Protection Skete in Buena, NJ) was elevated to the rank of abbot. Concelebrating with His Eminence at Liturgy were Bishop Irinej of Eastern America (Serbian Orthodox Church) and diocesan and visiting clergy – representatives of the Greek Archdiocese, the Serbian Church, and the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA. Praying in the altar was Archpriest Igor Tarasov, chancellor of the Patriarchal Parishes.

During the communion of the clergy, Fr. Tikhon delivered the sermon.

A multitude of the faithful communed of Christ’s Holy Mysteries. The clergy and faithful then held a procession around the cathedral, which included a requiem service at the grave of longtime parish rector Protopresbyter Valery Lukianov behind the high place.

Metropolitan Hilarion congratulated all those present with the feast, thanking the clergy and choir for their joint prayer.

The feast concluded with a festal luncheon organized for the clergy, choir, parishioners, and guests by the cathedral sisterhood. In Nevsky Park, horseback rides were prepared for the parish children (and some adults), as had been done in years past.