The Orthodox Church in America was represented at the celebration of the 700th Anniversary of the birth of Saint Sergius of Radonezh in Moscow and environs during the third weekend of July 2014.
With the blessing of His Beatitude, Metropolitan Tikhon, the OCA was represented by His Grace, Bishop Mark of Philadelphia and Eastern Pennsylvania; Archimandrite Sergius, Abbot of Saint Tikhon’s Monastery, South Canaan, PA; and Archimandrite Alexander, OCA Representative in Moscow and Dean of the OCA Representation Church of the Great Martyr Catherine.
Tens of thousands of pilgrims participated in the main celebration and Divine Liturgy, which took place at the Holy Trinity-Saint Sergius Lavra in Sergiyev Posad, some two hours northwest of Moscow, at which Bishop Mark and Fathers Sergius and Alexander concelebrated. Presiding at the celebration was His Holiness, Patriarch Kirill of Moscow. Hundreds of bishops and clergy participated in the celebration, including representatives of the sister autocephalous Churches. During the celebration, the delegations were especially hosted at the Church of Saints Kirill and Maria, the parents of Saint Sergius.
Bishop Mark and Fathers Sergius and Alexander were received by Patriarch Kirill at Moscow’s Danilov Monastery. They also visited the Representation Church of Saint Catherine, where Father Alexander and the parish clergy and faithful offered them a warm welcome.
In related news, Metropolitan Tikhon, at the invitation of and with the blessing of Patriarch Kirill, concelebrated the Divine Liturgy marking the 700th Anniversary of Saint Sergius’ birth with His Eminence, Metropolitan Hilarion, First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, and His Eminence, Archbishop Justinian of Naro-Fominsk, Administrator of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA, at New York’s Saint Nicholas Patriarchal Cathedral on Sunday, July 20. See related story and gallery.
