CANNES: November 24, 2011
Metropolitan Hilarion Officiates at Feast-Day Celebrations at Archangel Michael Church in Cannes

On Monday, November 21, 2011, the feast day of Archangel Michael and the Bodiless Heavenly Hosts, His Eminence Metropolitan Hilarion of Eastern America and New York, First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, celebrated Divine Liturgy at Archangel Michael Church in Cannes, France. He was joined in the service by Archimandrite Ieronim (Shurygin); Archimandrite Vasily (Pasquiet); Protopriest Leonid Kalinin; Priest Jean Gautier; Priest Alexander Korzhenevsky; Priest Anthony Odaisky, along with Deacon Eugene Kallaur. The choir sang joyously under the direction of Protopriest Michael Boikov, the Parish Rector, who is the official representative of the First Hierarch at the church.

At the end of the service, His Eminence delivered a sermon, then headed a moleben with a procession of the cross around the church. Before the veneration of the cross, His Eminence congratulated the parish rector on his namesday, wishing him strength, health and abundant mercies from the Lord in his service in this historic church. In memory of this day, Vladyka Hilarion gave Fr Michael an ancient icon depicting this feast day.

At the trapeza, organized by the parish sisterhood in the church yard, the Primate of the Church Abroad continued to spend time with the clergymen and parishioners in a friendly atmosphere.

The following day, having once again venerated the holy relics of Archangel Michael Church and the graves of Russian Orthodox Christians, His Eminence and his delegation departed for New York.