On Saturday the 8th and Sunday the 9th of August, Bishop Theodosius of Manhattan, vicar of the Eastern American Diocese, paid an archpastoral visit to St. Panteleimon Church in Hartford, CT, where he officiated the parish’s patronal feast.

Serving alongside His Grace at the All-Night Vigil were: Archpriests Dionisy Nalitov (parish rector) and Dimitri Jakimowicz (rector of St. Nicholas Church in Stratford, CT) and Protodeacon Andrei Garine (cleric of Holy Virgin Dormition Church in McKeesport, PA).

The following morning, prior to the start of Liturgy, Fr. Dionisy served a moleben with the blessing of water. Afterward, parish warden Sergei Protsenko welcomed the His Grace with the traditional offering of bread and salt. In his welcoming remarks, the warden, speaking on behalf of all parishioners and worshippers, greeted Bishop Theodosius – who was serving in the church for the first time – and thanked him for his tireless prayerful support.

His Grace celebrated Divine Liturgy; the above-mentioned clergy were joined by Archpriest Victor Boldewskul (rector of Holy Epiphany Church in Roslindale (Boston), MA).

The choir sang under the direction of Reader John Nalitov.

Many worshippers attended the services, including a particularly large number of children. In addition to local parishioners, there were visitors from other parishes, as well as worshippers from New York, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and New Jersey. Many communed of Christ’s Holy Mysteries.

Following Liturgy, a moleben was served before the icon containing the relics of the Holy Great-Martyr and Healer Panteleimon, and a cross procession was held around the church.

In his sermon, Bishop Theodosius spoke of the life and spiritual feats of St. Panteleimon and urged everyone to imitate the saint in his love for the Lord. His Grace also noted that August 9 marks the glorification of Venerable Herman of Alaska; he emphasized that for us Christians living in America, it is essential not only to remember this luminary of Orthodoxy in the American land, but also to constantly seek his prayerful aid in the work of our salvation. The church houses an icon containing a portion of St. Herman’s relics, which the faithful were able to venerate.

To mark the 25th anniversary of his ministry at the parish of the Great-Martyr and Healer Panteleimon, Fr. Dionysius was awarded a jubilee gramota signed by Metropolitan Nicholas, First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad and ruling bishop of the Eastern American Diocese.

During the kissing of the Cross, the faithful were anointed with blessed oil from the holy head of the Great-Martyr Panteleimon, brought from the St. Panteleimon Monastery on Mount Athos.

After the service, all the faithful were invited to a meal hosted by the parish sisterhood in honor of the patronal feast day. During the bountiful meal, parishioners had the opportunity to converse with the vicar bishop and receive spiritual comfort through their interaction with the clergy.