NEW YORK: September 2, 2016
The First Hierarch Celebrates Divine Liturgy at the Church of the Icon of the Mother of God "Inexhaustible Cup" in Brooklyn, NY

On August 26, 2016, the Apodosis of the Transfiguration of the Lord, His Eminence Metropolitan Hilarion of Eastern America and New York, First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, celebrated Divine Liturgy at the Church of the Icon of the Mother of God “Inexhaustible Cup” in Brighton Beach (Brooklyn), NY.

His Eminence was joined by clerics of the Synodal Cathedral of Our Lady “of the Sign” in New York and of the Eastern American Diocese: Protopriest Alexandre Antchoutin; Hieromonk Tikhon (Gayfudinov); Hieromonk Photius (Oulanov); Hieromonk Yeliferiy (Skiba) and Protodeacon Dionisy Lvov.

Metropolitan Hilarion ceremoniously brought in a great holy relic, an icon of SS Constantine and Helen, containing a part of the Life-Creating Cross of the Lord and a relic of Holy Empress Helen herself, as well as those of St Maxim the Confessor.

His Eminence then thanked all those who worked to establish his podvorie (representative church) in Brooklyn, and said that he was very happy to have the opportunity to pray together and venerate the holy relics, which will from now on be kept at the church to bring spiritual succor and nourishment to its parishioners and worshipers. Vladyka Hilarion also expounded on the importance of holy relics and icons in the life of an Orthodox Christian.

The Metropolitan then offered namesday congratulations to Hieromonk Tikhon and young Maxim, Fr Dionisy’s son. After the service, Metropolitan Hilarion took a tour of the church and book store, and offered his blessing to all in attendance. The clergymen then ascended to the residence above the church for a meeting with their hierarch.