On Thursday November 9, His Eminence traveled to Chicopee, Massachusetts, for the feast day of Saint Philaret of New York. The next day, the clergy served a festive Hierarchical Liturgy and His Eminence preached about the importance of the confession of faith of Saint Philaret, and that together with the other Hierarchs of ROCOR, the seeds of Orthodoxy were planted in this part of the world. Particular significance was given to the fact the we have inherited a great legacy from the fathers that have gone before us, and that we should always pray that our Lord protect us from all manner of heresy and schism.
On the same day, after the festive meal, His Eminence traveled to Saint Markella’s Cathedral where he met with the Church Council members and expressed his sincere gratitude for their untiring work for the Cathedral, and that a new council should be established.
In the morning, many faithful gathered for another Hierarchical Liturgy after which there was a festive meal in honor of His Eminence’s patron Saint Demetrius for those who could not make it to the monastery for the actual feast day. In the afternoon, His Eminence traveled to Long Island to attend Vespers and serve Liturgy on the next day. After the Divine Liturgy, the faithful attended the annual Saint Isidoros luncheon. Here the Metropolitan gave special thanks to his predecessor, Metropolitan Pavlos, for his labors for the Churches in the New York area. Particular mention was made of the efforts of Metropolitan Petros of blessed memory, but also that of Father Archimandrite Niphon, the brother of Metropolitan Petros, who helped establish the Church in North America by his prayers and sacrifices. Father Niphon sent nuns to help establish our local Church. Mother Synclitiki, who was appointed abbess of the sisterhood, and the other nuns that were sent by Father Niphon, had both Saint Ieronimos of Aegina and Father Niphon as their spiritual guides. Abbess Synclitiki also assisted Saint Chysostomos of Florina, for six years.
Finally, His Eminence called upon the blessings of Metropolitan Petros and Father Niphon, both of blessed memory, and the prayers of all the faithful, to continue the work of the Sacred Metropolis.
Pictures (link will take you to another website):
Metropolitan’s Nameday in New York 2017
