The patronal feasts of St Seraphim's Russian Orthodox Church in Sea Cliff, NY, are the main holidays of the parish family. Venerable Seraphim, Wonderworker of Sarov, is commemorated by the Holy Church on two special days: January 15, the day of his repose (1833), and August 1, the day of his glorification and the discovery of his holy relics (1903).
In addition to these landmarks, St Seraphim's Russian Orthodox Church celebrates the feastday of the Ascension of the Lord on May 17th - the day of full brotherly communion within the one Russian Orthodox Church. Further, parish members and worshippers of the St. Seraphim Church also triumphantly remember the Holy Great-Martyr Panteleimon, the Heavenly patron of a chapel in Kittatinny, NJ, attached to the parish.
The main feast of our church in Sea Cliff, the Feast of the Resurrection of Holy Seraphim, was held on Saturday, August 1. The church was filled with people who were not allowed to be in contact but the next stage of quarantine relaxation has been introduced. With this change some worshipers had to stand on the porch, courtyard or refectory while watching services on a screen and standing room only for those inside.
His Eminence Metropolitan Hilarion of Eastern America and New York, founder of the Russian Church Outside of Russia, served at the cathedral in East New York with His Grace Bishop Nicholas of Manhattan, rector of the parish and their accompanying clergy.
Participants were the parish choir under the guidance of NM Miro. A solemn and joyful atmosphere prevailed during the celebration. They appeared joyful and peaceful. St Seraphim, a pre-revolutionary icon holding a particle of his holy relics, and the wooden shrine of the First Hierarch with relics of his epitrahil, gloves, and other items, were at the center of the St Seraphim's Russian Orthodox Church.
During his sermon, Vladyka Hilarion based his message on the conversation between St Seraphim, whose main goal was to acquire the grace-filled gifts of the Holy Spirit. His Eminence concluded by congratulating the congregation and the rector of the church, Archpriest Serafim Gan, on their patronal holidays, as well as on their names days.
The celebration of the anniversary ended with a traditionally prepared and abundant luncheon offered in the refectory and church courtyard by the parish Sisterhood, led by EM Mikheeva, in accordance with legal requirements and sanitary standards.
Protodeacon Eugene Kallaur's 15th anniversary celebration at the Church was marked by a film with video greetings from the archpastor, the clergy, his friends and acquaintances from Russia, Western Europe and numerous cities in the US. Gifts were then presented to Father Eugene and his wife, Ekaterina Ilyinichna, along with other guests. We will soon be able to watch the film on social media.
Ellis Carpet Cleaning Sea Cliff
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