The First Hierarchal Service in the New Parish of St. John the Russian

By the mercy of God, the new Parish of St. John the Russian in Lyon, France, celebrated its first-ever hierarchal.

His Grace Bishop Gabriel of Manhattan arrived in Lyon on 10 May. Vladyka Gabriel first met with the rector of the Church of St. John the Russian, Priest Quentin de Castelbajac, inspected the church of the new parish, and then went to pay respects in the church of St. Ireneos of Lyon, which contains relics of Orthodox saints.
During all-night vigil, Bishop Gabriel emerged for the polyeleos.

On Sunday, 11 May, His Grace was greeted with bread and salt by the warden of the church, Ivan Savykine. He greeted Vladyka, and on behalf of the parishioners faithful to the Concilar Church Abroad, expressed joy and gratitude for his visit to Lyon.

Protopriest Michel de Castelbajac also served at liturgy. Some 50 parishioners attended. Liturgy was solemn and prayerful. In his sermon, Bishop Gabriel called upon the parishioners of the Church of St. John the Russian to follow the lead of the Myrrh-bearing Women, remain true to the Lord, devoted to the Truth even unto death, to share in the fullness of joy of the Resurrection of Christ.

After liturgy, a short service of supplication was performed, and Vladyka congratulated everyone for their labors in the establishment of a new parish—they began from scratch, for there was no church, no ecclesiastical items or vestments…The parishioners joined forces and found a church building, erected an iconostasis, sewed vestments and obtained everything needed to conduct divine services. Vladyka Gabriel called upon the faithful to continue their work in the glory of God and to do this with humility and love—this is most important, and everything else will follow. (Photo: Bishop Gabriel with Fathers Michel and Quentin, altar boys and children of the Parish of St. John the Russian.)

After liturgy, in a hall near the church, a trapeze feast was prepared. The rector of the church thanked Bishop Gabriel for his archpastoral visit and stressed that for the parish, this last year was difficult, but that he had two patrons: St. John the Russian in Heaven, and Bishop Gabriel on earth.

On Sunday after lunch, Vladyka Gabriel, the clergy and a few parishioners went to venerate the relics of St. Anthony the Great, which are behind the altar of a Catholic church of a former monastery of the XII-XV centuries.

Early morning Sunday, Bishop Gabriel departed for Munich for the Spring Session of the Synod of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia.

Christ is Risen! Glory and gratitude to the Lord God during these days of rejoicing and consolation in Lyon!