EASTERN AMERICAN DIOCESE: 6 April 2023
Southern Pastoral Retreat of the Eastern American Diocese concludes with the adoption of a resolution and celebration of Liturgy of the Pre-Sanctified Gifts

On Wednesday, 5 April, 2023, the Great Lenten Southern Deaneries Pastoral Retreat of the Eastern American Diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia came to an end with the celebration of Liturgy of the Pre-Sanctified Gifts at St Mary of Egypt Church in Atlanta, GA.

After the reading of the hours and typika, over 50 priests and deacons gathered to greet His Eminence Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America and New York. The First Hierarch was joined in the service by His Eminence Metropolitan Jonah (Paffhausen).

During the minor entrance, Archpriest Alexander Logunov, Rector of the “Reigning” Icon of the Mother of God Church in Charlotte, NC, was granted the right to wear the ornamented pectoral cross, and Priest Eugene Antonov, Rector of the Church of the Mother of God “Joy of All Who Sorrow” in Atlanta was given the right to wear the golden pectoral cross.

The parish choir prayerfully sang during the service. Despite it being a weekday, many local parishioners attended to pray and partake of the Holy Mysteries of Christ.

After Liturgy, Metropolitan Nicholas delivered a sermon in which he reminded everyone to spend the rest of Great Lent in prayer and contemplation, in order to festively greet the Lord on the Entrance into Jerusalem. He also thanked the Parish Rector, Archimandrite John (Townsend) and the parishioners for their generous hospitality.

A group photo was then taken, after which the attendees shared a Lenten trapeza luncheon.