On March 12, the first Saturday of Great Lent and the feast of the Holy Great-Martyr Theodore the Tyro, Metropolitan Jonah (Paffhausen) celebrated Divine Liturgy in St. Herman of Alaska Church in Stafford, VA.

Concelebrating with His Eminence were: Priest Adam Sexton (rector of St. Andrew OCA Church in Ashland, VA), Hieromonk Aidan (Keller; cleric of the Monastery of St. Demetrios of Thessaloniki in Spotsylvania, VA), Priest John Cook (rector of St. Tikhon Church in Ruther Glen, VA), and parish clerics Priest Alexander Laymon (assistant rector) and Hierodeacon Mark (Sanford).

After the Great Entrance, with the blessing of Metropolitan Hilarion of Eastern America & New York, Metropolitan Jonah ordained Hierodeacon Silouan (Brown) to the priesthood. The newly ordained Hieromonk Silouan will be serving at Holy Annunciation Church on Bukasa Island and St. John Maximovitch Mission Center in Kampala, Uganda.

The choir was led by Reader Michael Yuschak. 

Upon completion of the services, Metropolitan Jonah addressed the gathered faithful and offered words of instruction and encouragement to Fr. Silouan (click here for video).

A lenten meal followed in the parish fellowship hall.