Services Led by His Eminence Metropolitan Laurus

On November 14, His Eminence Metropolitan Laurus officiated at divine services at St Seraphim Church in Sea Cliff, NY, along with His Grace Bishop Peter of Cleveland, Protopriest Andrei Semyanko and Protopriest Sergii Klestov, Hegumen George (Schaeffer), Hieromonk Roman (Krassovsky) and Hieromonk Nicholas (Perekrestov), along with Protodeacon Joseph Jarostchuk, Protodeacon Victor Lokhmatov, Protodeacon Paul Wolkow and Deacon Andrew Rudenko.

On November 19, the miracle-working Kursk-Root Icon of the Mother of God and His Eminence Metropolitan Laurus headed for South America along with Protopriest Yaroslav Belikow of the Cathedral of the Mother of God "Joy of All Who Sorrow" in San Francisco, Protodeacon Victor Lokhmatov, Subdeacon Vladimir Barros and Reader Nicholas Olhovsky, the cell-attendant of the First Hierarch. On November 21, His Eminence Metropolitan Laurus performed divine liturgy at Holy Trinity Church in Villa Alpina, a suburb of Sao Paolo, along with the Parish Rector, Protopriest George Petrenko, Dean of the Russian churches in Brazil, and the local clergy. At the end of liturgy, Vladyka delivered a sermon, after which a commemorative litany was performed for His Eminence Metropolitan Philaret of blessed memory, who had died on this day 19 years ago. The Kursk-Root Icon of the Mother of God, along with His Eminence Metropolitan Laurus and his consorts will visit parishes in Brazil, Venezuela, Chile and Argentina. The aim of this archpastoral visit is to see the parishes of the Diocese, to become acquainted with church life in South America, to pray with the clergy and worshipers of that diocese and to clarify some points of misunderstanding connected with recent events in the life of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia. His Eminence Metropolitan Laurus is expected to preside at a conference of all the clergymen of the Diocese.

His Eminence Metropolitan Laurus will return to the USA in time for the feast day of the Synodal Cathedral of Our Lady of the Sign in New York on December 9-10.

St Seraphim Church in Sea Cliff

Subdeacon George Shatiloff, His Eminence Metropolitan Laurus and Subdeacon Eugene Kallaur.

From left to right: Hieromonk Roman (Krassovsky), Protopriest Sergei Klestoff, Bishop Peter of Cleveland, His Eminence Metropolitan Laurus, Protopriest Andrei Semyanko, Hegumen George (Schaeffer) and Hieromonk Nicholas (Perekrestov).

His Grace Bishop Peter of Cleveland blesses the worshipers.