On Wednesday, May 28, the eve of the great feast of the Ascension of the Lord, with the blessing of Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York, His Eminence, Metropolitan Jonah (Paffhausen), paid an archpastoral visit to Christ the Savior Church in Wayne, WV, where he officiated the festal All-Night Vigil.
To the joy of the clergy and faithful, the service was held in the presence of the myrrh-streaming Hawaiian-Iveron Icon of the Mother of God, currently visiting the Eastern American Diocese. The faithful venerated and prayed before the icon throughout the service.
Serving alongside His Eminence were parish clergy: rector Archpriest Jonah Campbell, Priest Vincent Dranginis, and Deacon Joshua Duncan, as well as Hieromonk Paisios (Laiblin) from nearby Holy Cross Monastery. Praying in the altar were Priest Nectarios Yangson and Deacon Seraphim Andov (accompanying the Hawaiian Icon).
After the magnification, an akathist was served to the Most Holy Theotokos, and all of the faithful were anointed with the myrrh from the icon. The church was filled to capacity with over 200 worshippers, and the anointing continued throughout the reading of the canon.
After the service, a reception was held in the parish in the parish refectory. The parish coffee shop and international food store ("Samaritan’s Market") were then blessed with the Hawaiian Icon.
Wayne, WV: Metropolitan Jonah officiates Ascension Vigil in Christ the Savior Church - 05/28/25
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