LOS ANGELES: February 18, 2009
The Secretary of the Synod of Bishops Officiates at Divine Liturgy in Transfiguration Cathedral

On the eve of the Meeting of Our Lord, His Eminence Archbishop Kyrill arrived at Transfiguration Cathedral in Los Angeles, CA. The Ruling Bishop of the Western American Diocese was greeted at the airport by Mitred Protopriest Alexander Lebedeff, Rector of Transfiguration Cathedral and Dean of the Southern Deanery of the Diocese. His Eminence was joined for all-night vigil by Protopresbyter Konstantin Tivetsky, Priest Christopher Horsley, Priest Alexei Poliakov and Protodeacon Andre Karobkoff. After the service, the Cathedral sisterhood offered a trapeza dinner, during which Archbishop Kyrill greeted his concelebrants, worshipers and guests.

The following morning, on the very feast day of the Meeting of Our Lord, the clergy and parishioners of Transfiguration Cathedral ceremoniously greeted His Eminence. During the minor entrance, Vladyka Kyrill awarded Fr Christopher with the right to wear the kamilavka, and Fr Alexei was given a skufia.

After the dismissal, His Eminence awarded Fr Konstantin the Silver Order of St Sergius of Radonezh for his sixty-year service to the Church of Christ. It is noteworthy that a Patriarchal Gramata [decree of blessing] to him was signed by His Holiness Patriarch Alexy II on the day before his blessed repose. Afterwards, Fr Andre intoned Many Years to His Holiness Patriarch Kirill, His Eminence Metropolitan Hilarion, His Eminence Archbishop Kyrill, Fr Konstantin and his family.