On Saturday the 1st and Sunday the 2nd of August, the feast of the Holy Prophet Elijah, with the blessing of Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York, a symposium focusing on the intricacies of the hierarchical Divine Liturgy was held at St. Martin of Tours Church in Montgomery, AL, culminating in a divine service officiated by Metropolitan Jonah (Paffhausen).

More than 40 registrants, including members of the clergy, altar servers, and choir, attended, from seven southeastern states. On Saturday morning, Protodeacon Serge Arlievsky (cleric of the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City) delivered the comprehensive keynote presentation.

After lunch, the choir and servers split up for instructional sessions. Fr. Serge instructed the choir, while Deacon Peter Epstein (cleric of St. Mary of Egypt Church in Atlanta, GA) and Subdeacon Eugene Yukin did the same for the clergy and servers.

Following the evening service, all enjoyed fellowship over dinner, after which Metropolitan Jonah gave a talk.

On Sunday morning, His Eminence was greeted at the entrance to the church. The choir, consisting of symposium attendees, sang beautifully.

At the Sixth Hour, Reader Michael Rogers was awarded the orarion.

Virtually all in attendance communed of Christ’s Holy Mysteries.

After Liturgy, the Protodeacon intoned the Polychronion for all in attendance, especially the parish rector, Priest Elias Crowder, who was celebrating his namesday. Greeting the hierarch, clergy, and faithful, Fr. Elias said, in part:

"We are grateful to Metropolitan Nicholas for blessing us to have this event. It was actually he who first suggested that we invite other parishes to participate. Also, to Metropolitan Jonah for coming back to Montgomery for the fifth time in about as many years. We already knew that the Synodal Protodeacon, Fr. Serge Arlievsky, had a wealth of knowledge and experience, but I must say that he exceeded our already high expectations. Fr. Peter Epstein and Subdeacon Eugene Yukin, who instructed and guided our servers, are well known for their liturgical competence and we were very fortunate to have them. Many of our parishioners worked very hard in preparing for and working during the symposium, and I am honored to serve such a dedicated and God loving community.

"Many Americans are embracing the True Faith and new missions are being started and many of those missions are experiencing rapid growth . As a mission develops into a full parish, it is proper to strive to embrace the fullness of the liturgical life of the Church, which includes being able to accommodate a hierarchical visit. It is also important that we not introduce novelty or do things according to our personal preferences, but according to the customs of ROCOR. From the very beginning of St. Martin’s Church in Montgomery, more than a decade ago, our dean, now-Archimandrite John (Townsend), has encouraged us to be faithful to the services – both in frequency and fullness. The symposium was in pursuit of that ideal."