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Bridgeport, CT: Metropolitan Tikhon visits historic Holy Ghost Church
On the second Sunday of Great Lent—March 24, 2019—His Beatitude, Metropolitan Tikhon, with the blessing of His Eminence, Archbishop Nikon, attended the Divine Liturgy at Bridgeport, CT’s historic Holy Ghost Church. According to Archpriest John Jillions, Rector, it was a “surprise visit,” as Metropolitan Tikhon had been in Boston visiting Archbishop Nikon, who was recovering from surgery.
Holy Ghost Church was established in 1894 largely through the efforts of His Grace, Bishop Nicholas [Ziorov] and Saint Alexis Toth, who celebrated the first Divine Liturgy in the parish’s original church on Palm Sunday of the following year.
At the end of the Liturgy, Metropolitan Tikhon spoke briefly about his family history in New England—ancestors go back to the 1620s in Massachusetts—and encouraged everyone to find ways to integrate their Orthodox faith and their family backgrounds, wherever they come from. He greeted the faithful as they venerated the cross and then toured the church and its famous coronation bells and iconostasis, donated by Tsar Nicholas II in 1898. He also joined the parish’s street ministry group in preparing sandwiches for the homeless. Later, he and Father John visited Archpriest Steven Belonick, retired Rector, and Matushka Deborah at Bridgeport Hospital.
“What an unexpected blessing it was to have His Beatitude visit us,” Father John related.
Santa Cruz, CA: Matushka Glagolev honored on 95th birthday
Matushka Genevieve [Gerry] Glagolev, wife of Archpriest Sergei Glagolev, was honored on the occasion of her 95th birthday on Wednesday, March 27, 2019. She was presented with a gramota marking the occasion in recognition of her years of devoted service to the Orthodox Church in America.
Matushka Gerry began working at the OCA Chancery as the receptionist in 1981, and until her retirement in 2007, hers was the first voice one heard when calling the Chancery. As the keeper of the OCA “clergy rolodex,” she not only knew most of the clergy, but their families as well.
The Glagolevs recently relocated from Long Island to Santa Cruz, CA, where they reside with their daughter.
May God grant Father Sergei and Matushka Genevieve many years of health, peace and every blessing!
York, PA: Central PA parishes celebrate Sunday of Orthodoxy Vespers
Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, York, PA was filled to capacity for the celebration of this year’s Sunday of Orthodoxy Vespers, at which sixteen priests and four deacons representing five jurisdictions concelebrated. A highlight of the service, celebrated on Saturday evening, March 16, 2019, was the presence of the Wonderworking Icon of Saint Anna from Saint Tikhon’s Monastery, South Canaan, PA. Hieromonk Herman [Majkrzak] accompanied the icon and delivered a stirring homily. Lenten fellowship followed.
The service was sponsored by the Orthodox Council of Churches of South Central Pennsylvania.
