On Wednesday, October 16, the brethren of St Dionysios the Areopagite Monastery in St. James, NY celebrated their second annual patronal feast day. At Vespers the evening prior, monastery abbot Archimandrite Maximos (Weimar) tonsured Brother Kyrill (Schillen) a rassophore monk with the name of Photios. The service was especially touching for all who attended.

On Wednesday morning, Fr. Maximos and the brethren welcomed Metropolitan Hilarion of Eastern America & New York, First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad, who celebrated Divine Liturgy. Many esteemed guests among clergy and laity were also in attendance.

Concelebrating with the Metropolitan were Fr. Maximos and the monastery clergy: Archimandrite John (Erickson), Abbot Zosimas (Krampis), Hieromonk Silouan (Justiniano), and Hierodeacons Michael (Wells) and Parthenios (Miller). Joining them were Archpriest Alexandre Antchoutine (dean of Long Island), Abbot Eutychius (Dovgan; cleric of the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City), Archpriest John Klingel (rector of St. Andrew Church OCA in Dix Hills, NY), and Priest Patrick Burns (rector of Three Saints Church OCA in Ansonia, CT). Chanting in the choir were Hierodeacons Vasilios (Willard) and Daniel (Justiniano).

At the beginning of Liturgy, Fr. Photios (Schillen) was ordained a subdeacon, and at the Great Entrance, Fr. Silouan was elevated to the rank of abbot, to the great joy of both the brethren and the parish.

Metropolitan Hilarion delivered a sermon about the life of the Holy Hieromartyr Dionysios the Areopagite and the meaning of his ascetic labors for all of us today.

After Liturgy, an abundant luncheon was prepared for the clergy and parishioners by the sisterhood and brotherhood of the parish. Afterward, the Metropolitan and clergy mingled with the parishioners and guests. Many people came up to His Eminence to talk and receive his blessing. Fr. Maximos and the brethren expressed their deep grateful to all who came to celebrate the monastery’s patronal feast with joy and solemnity.