On Sunday, August 1, the feast of Venerable Seraphim, Wonderworker of Sarov, a large number of believers gathered in St. Seraphim Church in Sea Cliff, NY, a memorial church to the restoration of unity within the Russian Orthodox Church. The temple was filled with worshippers, old and young alike. The festal hierarchal divine services were distinguished by their extraordinary splendor and soulfulness. A solemn and joyful atmosphere united all the participants of the feast. Their faces radiated joy and peace. On the evening prior, the Lesser Blessing of Water with an akathist to Venerable Seraphim, followed by the All-Night Vigil with Litiya and blessing of loaves and glorification to the saint, was served. At the end of the evening service, the rector, Archpriest Serafim Gan, invited all of the clergy, singers, and pilgrims to a large reception at his home, arranged by the efforts of his wife and mother, held in a very friendly atmosphere.

Celebrating Divine Liturgy on the patronal feast day was Metropolitan Hilarion of Eastern America & New York, co-served by Eastern American Diocesan vicar Bishop Nicholas of Manhattan, the rector of the church, and local and visiting clergy, in the presence of the Kursk Root Icon of the Mother of God", with the jubilant singing of the parish choir under the direction of N.M. Miro. Before the beginning of the Divine Liturgy, His Eminence tonsured Peter Wolkow a reader then ordained him and subdeacon.

Before Holy Communion, a sermon was delivered by Archpriest Alexander Krassovsky (rector of the Sts. Peter & Paul Church in Santa Rosa, CA).

At the end of the Divine Liturgy, a short moleben was served before the festal icon with the reading of a prayer to the venerable saint. His Eminence then greeted the rector, clergy, and parishioners with the patronal feast day and extended greetings to Protodeacon Paul Wolkow and E.M. Mikheeva on the occasion of memorable dates in their lives. At the end of his greetings, His Eminence spoke about his visit to Diveevo in 1990 and about his meeting with the famous "Matushka Frosya," a resident of the Seraphim-Diveevo Convent, who presented him with relics that belonged to the venerable saint. Some of these are enshrined in St. Seraphim Church.

The celebration ended with a traditional and magnificent luncheon, offered by the parish sisterhood, led by E.M. Mikheeva. The meal passed in an atmosphere of joy, spiritual unity, and togetherness. In his remarks at the meal, His Grace Nicholas, Bishop of Manhattan especially congratulated Fr. Paul Wolkow on the 30th anniversary of his diaconal service, and E.M. Mikheeva on the 10th anniversary in her position as head sister of the parish sisterhood. He made special mention of participants in pilgrimages to the Holy Land organized by the parish of St. Seraphim Memorial Church, and expressed his joy that the patronal feast unites not only parishioners and pilgrims of this parish, but also pilgrims from other churches.

In his remarks at the festal reception, the parish rector congratulated His Eminence on the 45th anniversary of his priestly ordination, and = Bishop Nicholas on the 15th anniversary of his ordination to the diaconate, presenting them with commemorative gifts. "45 years ago, after the repose of Archbishop Averky (Taushev) in April 1976, the young Hierodeacon Hilarion, cleric of Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville, received the gift of priesthood from the hands of Bishop Laurus of Manhattan. As the ever-memorable Vladyka Laurus said, the ordination was served the day after the funeral of Archbishop Averky for the ‘consolation of the monastery brethren,’ to support the inhabitants of the monastery, as well as the professors and students of the seminary. And 15 years ago, on Holy Spirit Day, Subdeacon Nicholas Olhovsky approached the path of clerical service, being ordained a deacon on the same altar table of Holy Trinity Cathedral by the hands of the now-Metropolitan Laurus," Fr. Serafim noted.

Addressing next the activities of Fr. Paul Wolkow and E.M. Mikheeva, the church rector said, in part: "I sincerely congratulate our dear Father-Protodeacon Paul on the 30th anniversary of his diaconal ordination, which he is celebrating this year! With his prayerful way of serving, he not only adorns the divine services in our church, but also awakens prayer, a feeling of repentance, and spiritual joy in the hearts of parishioners. He works tirelessly in parish administration, baking prosphora, and wherever there is a need in the parish. One cannot fail to note his personal qualities: benevolence, responsiveness, and especially a love of life… I also cordially greet our dear Liza, the head sister of the sisterhood, on her 10th anniversary of carrying this title in the parish! Liza always, with zeal for the glory of the Lord, bore various obediences in the Church, not to mention her labors in our public organizations, trying to always be compassionate, merciful, friendly, humble, and hospitable. Occupying the responsible position of head sister in the parish, she diligently cares about the splendor of the House of God and helping those who need it…" Congratulating the newly ordained Subdeacon Peter Wolkow, son of Fr. Paul, with his tonsure. Fr. Serafim wished him health to always help and serve in the church with concentration, good order, and the fear of God, so that his service to the Church would be salvific for him, his wife, and their entire family, bringing them the mercy of God.

On behalf of the parish council of St. Seraphim Church, Reader A.S. Slobodskoy, son of Archpriest Seraphim Slobodskoy, the renowned author of The Law of God for Study at Home and School, the rubrician and the eldest cleric of the parish, congratulated Fr. Paul on the 30th anniversary of his ministry. "The first and foremost quality of our protodeacon is his love for the Church. He serves with reverence for the Holy Altar of the Lord, serves beautifully, in tone with the choir. He always cares about the beauty of the temple. Fr. Paul works at night in the hospital, but despite his fatigue, always arrives in the morning after work to celebrate Liturgy, and only then rests. If there are not enough choristers on weekdays, Fr. Paul goes to the choir and joins the choir. He always notices new people and tries to comfort them with a smile When Fr. Paul was ill and could not come to church services, he came to church when no one was there and continued to take care of the church. For many years he has been baking prosphora for our parish. It is difficult to enumerate everything that he does for our community ... "- said Alexis Seraphimovich. Then E.M. Mikheeva presented Fr. Paul with a gift from the parish and sisterhood – a trip to Mount Athos.

In her deeply heartfelt speech, Alla N. Ryl, who had worked as head sister for many years, congratulated E.M. Mikheeva on her 10th anniversary of carrying this title in the parish, especially noting her selflessness in her labors, patience, tact, and warm and respectful attitude towards everyone. A.N. Ryl then presented to E.M. Mikheeva a gift from parishioners and pilgrims – a piece of jewelry depicting St. Seraphim Church. Protodeacon Eugene Kallaur then showed the participants at the luncheon a video with congratulations to Fr. Paul from Russia. In addition to Fr. Paul’s relatives, the deputy abbot of the Kursk Root Hermitage, Abbot Seraphim (Kotelnikov), and Abbot Philip (Sapronov), cleric of the Monastery of the Sign in Kursk, took part in the project. Archpriest Alexander Krassovsky addressed the parish clergy and parishioners with a kind word, filled with the spirit of brotherly love.

Fr. Paul and E.M. Mikheeva warmly expressed their deep gratitude to everyone for their love, consideration, and attention. At the end of the meal, the parish rector, expressing gratitude to the archpastors, clergy, subdeacons, servers, singers, sisterhood, and benefactors, wished everyone a peaceful disposition of spirit, mutual respect, patience for each other and brotherly love, around those who possess such "thousands are saved," asking everyone for forgiveness in their shortcomings and for their holy prayers.

The radiant memory of the beloved saint illuminated the souls and hearts of believers for a long time. This day is a great occasion to remember how important it is to live in peace and to be always attuned to gratitude for all the countless benefits of God given to us in life. The life of Venerable Seraphim inspires people to actively strive for salvation, to bring joy in the Risen Christ with all their life, with all their deeds, large and small. May the Lord help us in this!

www.stseraphimschurch.org
Translation by Eastern American Diocesan Media Office