DIOCESE OF GENEVA AND WESTERN EUROPE: December 2, 2008
The Services of Bishop Michael 

On December 5-6, 2008, His Grace Bishop Michael of Geneva and Western Europe, at the invitation of His Eminence Archbishop Gabriel of Komana, Exarch of the Constantinople Patriarchate, will participate in the feast-day celebrations of St Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in Paris. For the first time in history, the service at the Cathedral will be held in the presence of the Kursk-Root Icon of the Mother of God. Bishop Michael will then bring the main holy icon of the Russian diaspora to New York for a regular session of the Synod of Bishops.

On Sunday, November 23, 2008, during Divine Liturgy at the Church of the Resurrection of Christ in Medon, France, His Grace Bishop Michael awarded the mitre to Protopriest Michel de Castebajac. Fr Michel, ordained to the priesthood in 1964, was granted this award by decision of the Synod of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia.

On Saturday, November 22, Vladyka Michael performed a pannikhida for all the Russians of Gallipoli along with many clergymen from the three jurisdictions of the region at the cemetery of Sainte Genevieve du Bois.

On Sunday, November 16, the anniversaries of two clergymen of the Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Geneva were celebrated. Protopriest Pavel Tsvetkoff marked the 35th anniversary of his priestly service, and Protodeacon Petr Figurek his 40th year as deacon. During the minor entrance at Divine Liturgy before the Kursk-Root Icon, Bishop Michael granted them Synodal gramatas [decrees of blessing] for their efforts.