On Wednesday, March 30, the Lenten Retreat for clergy and matushkas of the Eastern American Diocese, being held at St. Alexander Nevsky Diocesan Cathedral in Howell, NJ, drew to a close. Metropolitan Hilarion led the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts, co-served by Bishop Nicholas and clergy participants of the Lenten Retreat. All three days of the conference took place under the protection of the Icon of the Mother of God "Softener of Evil Hearts," which was present in the cathedral.

During the Little Entrance, His Eminence bestowed awards on several clerics of the Russian Church Abroad for their dedicated service to God’s Church:

Awarded the right to wear the jeweled cross were:

- Archpriest Boris Slootsky – cleric of St. Alexander Nevsky Diocesan Cathedral

- Archpriest George Johnson – rector of Holy Apostles Church (Beltsville, MD)

- Archpriest George Zelenin – rector of St. Michael’s Church (Paterson, NJ)

Awarded the right to wear the palitsa was:

- Archpriest Dmitry Ermakov – rector of Holy Dormition Church (McKeesport, PA)

Awarded the right to wear the gold cross were:

- Priest James Dougherty – cleric of the Eastern American Diocese

- Priest Michael Vladimirov – rector of Holy Trinity Church (Franklin, NY)

- Priest Gregorio Justiniano – rector of San Juan Climaco Church (San German, PR)

- Priest Matthew Williams – rector of St. Tikhon’s Church (Bristol, VA)

Awarded the right to wear the kamilavka were:

- Priest Gabriel Weller – rector of Holy Myrrhbearers Church (Harrisonburg, VA)

- Priest Constantine Desrosiers – cleric of St. Xenia’s Church (Methuen, MA)

Awarded the right to wear the purple skufia were:

- Priest Eugene Antonov – rector of Joy of All Who Sorrow Church (Atlanta, GA)

- Priest Demetrio Romeo – rector of St. Luke the Blessed Surgeon Church (Coconut Creek, FL)

Awarded the right to wear the nabedrennik was:

- Priest George Temidis – cleric of Nativity of the Mother of God Church at the New Kursk Root Hermitage (Mahopac, NY)

Awarded the right to wear the double orarion were:

- Deacon Seraphim Komleski – cleric of St. Elizabeth Church (Rocky Hill, NJ)

- Deacon Leo Opie – cleric of St. Nicholas Church (Palm Coast, FL)

- Deacon Michael Wengrin – cleric of St. Basil’s Church (Simpson, PA)

The editors sincerely congratulate the newly awarded clergymen!