DIOCESE OF GENEVA AND WESTERN EUROPE: September 28, 2006
The Feast Day of the Cathedral of the Elevation of the Cross; Bishop Michael Assumes his Cathedra

On the feast day of the Elevation of the Cross in Geneva, Divine Liturgy was celebrated by His Grace Bishop Michael of Geneva and Western Europe, along with Protopriest Pavel Tsvetkoff; Protopriest Michel de Castelbajac; Priest Quentin de Castelbajac; Priest Peter Sturm; Priest Adrian Echevarria; Protodeacon Peter Figurek and Protodeacon Emilian Grassi.

All-night vigil was served on the eve of the holiday, at which Bishop Michael performed the Rite of the Elevation of the Cross to a large gathering of worshipers.

During Divine Liturgy, praying in the altar and communing of the Holy Gifts of Christ was His Grace Bishop Ambroise, Bishop Michael's predecessor on the Cathedra of Geneva and Western Europe.

The Council of Bishops of May 2006 appointed Bishop Michael to this Diocese, who was to commence his service on the Elevation of the Life-giving Cross of the Lord. After Divine Liturgy, a solemn procession of the cross and a moleben, Bishop Ambroise addressed his succesor with a greeting, reminding those who gathered that Vladyka Michael, after a ten-year hiatus, was returning to his home diocese, where he grew up and served as an acolyte, reader, subdeacon, deacon and then priest. In his response, Bishop Michael expressed his heartfelt gratitude to Bishop Ambroise and asked for everyone's prayers for successfully leading the Diocese.

At the festive trapeza that was held afterwards, representatives of the clergy and laity offered their welcome to their new Ruling Bishop.

We wish His Grace Bishop Ambroise and His Grace Bishop Michael, and the entire Diocese of Geneva and Western Europe heavenly aid and many years!