The first feast of the Church year is the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos. In his sermon for the feast, His Holiness, Patriarch Kyrill, pointed out that Orthodox Christians begin the Church year with the blessing of the Mother of God and finish the Church year with her blessing as well, celebrating the feast of Her Dormition.

On Thursday, September 21, His Grace, Eastern American Diocesan vicar Bishop Luke of Syracuse, celebrated the festal Divine Liturgy, co-served by monastery clergy.

At the Little Entrance, Bishop Luke elevated Deacon Michael Pavuk to the rank of Protodeacon. Fr. Michael is the director of development of Holy Trinity Seminary, and works fervently in this capacity, especially of late with the celebration of the 75th anniversary of the seminary’s founding. May the Lord bless Fr. Michael for his labors for the seminary and monastery!