On Tuesday, August 1, the feast of Venerable Seraphim, Wonderworker of Sarov, a large number of believers gathered at St. Seraphim Memorial Church in Sea Cliff, NY, despite it being a weekday. The church was full of adults and young pilgrims. The festal Divine Liturgy, which was celebrated by Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York, First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad, and Bishop John of Caracas & South America, was distinguished by extraordinary splendor and inspiration.

Concelebrating with the hierarchs were:

• Archimandrite Elevferiy (Skiba; cleric of Our Lady "The Inexhaustible Chalice" Church in Brooklyn, NY)
• Archimandrite Gabriel (Pigarev; cleric of New Martyrs of Russia Church in Brooklyn)
• Archpriest Serafim Gan (parish rector)
• Archpriest Andrei Sommer (dean of the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City)
• Abbot Eutychius (Dovgan; abbot of St. Nicholas Skete in Freehold, NJ)
• Archpriest Alexandre Antchoutine (dean of New York City & Long Island)
• Archpriest Dimitri Jakimowicz (rector of St. Nicholas Church in Stratford, CT)
• Archpriest Serge Ledkovsky (deputy rector of St. Vladimir Memorial Church in Jackson, NJ)
• Hieromonk Anatoly (Zilin; cleric of Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville, NY)
• Protodeacon Paul Wolkow (parish cleric)
• Protodeacon Eugene Kallaur (parish cleric)
• Hierodeacon Panteleimon (Jigalin; diocesan cleric)
• Deacon David Dutkanicz (cleric of St. Nicholas Church in Stratford), and
• Deacon Andrei Antchoutine (cleric of Holy Virgin Intercession Church in Glen Cove, NY).

The solemn and joyful atmosphere united all the participants of the holiday, to the jubilant singing of the parish choir under the direction of Nicolas Miro. The faces of the faithful radiated joy and peace.

The night before, there was a small consecration of water with an akathist to St Seraphim and an all-night vigil with a litany, a blessing of loaves and exaltation to the saint. At the end of the evening service, the rector of the church, Fr. Serafim, invited all the clergy, singers and worshippers to a large reception in his residence, arranged through the efforts of his wife and mother, which was held in a very friendly atmosphere.

At the end of Divine Liturgy, a moleben was sung with a procession and the reading of a prayer to St Seraphim. His Eminence delivered a sermon on the feast and after the dismissal congratulated the rector, clergy, and parishioners with their patronal feast, and then presented a commemorative gift of chalice covers to the parish.

In response, Fr. Serafim greeted and thanked the First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad, Bishop John, the clergy, acolytes, singers, and worshipers, saying that the memory of St Seraphim comforts the Orthodox Christians who continue to stand before God in prayer for the restoration of peace.

Fr. Serafim then presented the archpastors with books issued for the 70th anniversary of St. Seraphim Parish: From Sermons & Conversations on the Divine Liturgy – excerpts from the teachings on the Divine Liturgy delivered in St. Seraphim Church, with photographs next to their explanations (in Russian and English) and Windows to the Kingdom of Heaven – about the unique wall painting of the memorial church in Sea Cliff.

The feast ended with a traditional and magnificent meal offered by the church sisterhood, headed by Elizabeth Mikheeva. The meal was held in an atmosphere of joy, spiritual unity, and cohesion. Warm words of greeting were offered by Metropolitan Nicholas, Bishop John, Fr. Elevferiy (Skiba), Fr. Andrei Sommer, Fr. Alexandre Antchoutine, Fr. Paul Wolkow, and others.

At the end of the meal, the rector of the church, once again expressing gratitude to the archpastors, clergy, subdeacons, acolytes, choristers, sisterhood, and benefactors, wished everyone a peaceful disposition of spirit, mutual respect, patience with each other, and brotherly love, around which "thousands are saved" asking the holy prayers of all.

www.stseraphimschurch.org