WESTERN EUROPEAN DIOCESE: September 19, 2018
The re-gilded cupola on the Church of Great Martyr Barbara is consecrated

On Sunday, September 16, 2018, the 16th Sunday after Pentecost, two important events occurred at the Church of Great Martyr Barbara in Vevey, Switzerland.

The first was a solemn service in accordance with long-time tradition, the celebration of “All Saints of Helvetia.” Bishop Ambroise of blessed memory (+2009), who was first a young priest at the parish, and since 1985 its rector, introduced this tradition. With the blessing of Archbishop Anthony and the Synod of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, he composed a service to honor the memory of All Saints of Helvetia (Switzerland), symbolically set for the third Sunday of September, the day of the Federal Thanksgiving Day, introduced by the Swiss government in 1832.

Joining Protopriest Adrian Ecchevaria and Protodeacon Michel Vernaz in the service were Archimandrite Martin (de Caflisch), Abbot of Holy Trinity Monastery in Dompierre, and Priest Dimitry Mottier of Sion, Switzerland.

The second unique event was the consecration of a cupola and cross, recently renovated and re-gilded. This year marks the 140th anniversary of the consecration of the church itself (October 1/14, 1848).

After Divine Liturgy, the clergymen and choir ascended the scaffolding, and Fr Adrian generously sprinkled holy water over the cupola.

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