His Eminence Metropolitan Laurus Conducts Divine Liturgy at the Church of the Mother of God "Joy of All Who Sorrow" on Its Feast Day

On Saturday, November 6, on the day of the Icon of the Mother of God "Joy of All Who Sorrow," His Eminence Metropolitan Laurus officiated at the solemn divine liturgy, and all-night vigil on the eve, at the Joy of All Who Sorrow Church in Philadelphia, along with the Rector, Hegumen Athanasius, the Prior of Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville, Hegumen George, Protopriest Lubo Milosevic and Priest Daniel Meschter, along with Protodeacon Victor Lokhmatov, Deacon Dimitri Temidis and Deacon Andrei Rudenko. The Kursk-Root Icon of the Mother of God, the Protectress of the Russian diaspora, lay on an analogion, brought from New York. The service was attended by local representatives of the Local Orthodox Churches. The splendid choir sang endearingly under the direction of Maria Greendyk.

At the end of service, the Rector, Hegumen Athanasius warmly greeted His Eminence Vladyka and expressed the joy of the parishioners on the solemn service. In his response, Vladyka Laurus called upone everyone to take advantage of that which is given to us by the Holy Church in Her Mysteries, divine services, fasts and prayers, so that we would be yet more worthy in this life of personal contact with God in church, and reminded everyone that it is necessary to come to our Heavenly Intercessor of this church with all our sorrows, joys and needs. Who would always send down spiritual joy and the mercy of Her Son.

That evening, His Eminence Metropolitan Laurus prayed at all-night vigil, conducted by Mitred Protopriest Boris Kizenko at St Vladimirs Memorial Church of the 1000th Anniversary of the Baptism of Russia on "Vladimir Hill" in Jackson, NJ. The following day, His Eminence performed divine liturgy at St Nicholas Church in Red Bank, NJ, whose rector is Protopriest Philip Petrovsky. In five years, this parish will celebrate its centennial.

We wish Hegumen Athanasius, Rector of the Church of the Mother of God "Joy of All Who Sorrow," Mitred Protopriest Boris Kizenko and the Rector of St Nicholas Church, Protopriest Philip Petrovsky and their flocks God's help, good health and success in their lives.

Parish Rector Hegumen Athanasius.

His Eminence Metropolitan Laurus and Protodeacon Victor Lokhmatov.