DIOCESE OF EASTERN AMERICA AND NEW YORK: January 23, 2007
The First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia Officiates at Services at the Church of the Epiphany

On January 21, the Sunday after the Epiphany of the Lord, His Eminence Metropolitan Laurus served at Divine Liturgy along with Protopriest Andre Papkov and Protopriest Alexei Mikrikov, Priest Nicholas Bargoot, Priest Victor Boldewskul and many deacons, with a multitude of altar boys, singers and worshipers. During Divine Liturgy, Mitred Protopriest Roman Lukianov, the long-time Rector of the parish, partook of the Holy Mysteries of Christ. During the minor entrance, His Eminence awarded the kamilavka to Fr Victor, saying that in connection with the retirement of Fr Roman as Rector, Fr Victor is now appointed as his successor, then proclaiming "Axios!"

His Eminence Vladyka then elevated Fr Nicholas to the rank of protopriest on this, his twentieth year of service in the priesthood in the Holy Church of Christ. At the end of service, the Primate of the part of the Russian Orthodox Church abroad then expressed his thanks to Fr Roman for his many years of labor in providing pastoral nourishment and insuring the well-being of the life of Epiphany Church, and invoked God's blessing upon him, the new Rector, the clergymen, all the parishioners and worshipers. Fr Roman, although he has been released from his duties in connection with his health, will remain at the parish in an auxiliary capacity.