NEW YORK: March 7, 2014
On the First Friday of Great Lent, the First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad Celebrates Liturgy of the Pre-Sanctified Gifts

On Friday, March 07, 2014 , the eve of St Theodore Saturday , His Eminence Metropolitan Hilarion of Eastern America and New York, First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, prayed during divine services at the Synodal Cathedral of Our Lady “of the Sign” in New York. Afterwards, Vladyka Hilarion officiated at the Liturgy of Pre-Sanctified Gifts, followed by a moleben to mark the miracle of Great Martyr Theodore Tyro. He was joined by His Grace Bishop Jerome; Archimandrite Peter (Kontratiyev), a clergyman of the Canadian Diocese of the Orthodox Church in America; Protopriest Andrei Sommer; Protopriest Serafim Gan; Deacon Nathan Mousselli and Deacon Denis Lvov.

After Liturgy, His Eminence congratulated Hieromonk Tikhon (Gayfudinov), who was praying in the altar, and Deacon Denis on their birthdays. Vladyka Hilarion then congratulated the clergymen and worshipers on the conclusion of the First Week of Great Lent, noting that he felt special fervor during the prayers for Ukraine, and for the Primate, Locum Tenens, archpastors, pastors and flock of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church; for the Primates of the Local Orthodox Churches who were gathering on this day in Constantinople; and for the beneficial journey of the clergymen and their God-beloved flock through the struggles of Great Lent, wishing them all God’s omnipotent aid.