Washington, DC Site Of Enthronement of Metropolitan Herman, Newly Elected Primate of the Orthodox Church in America

Over two dozen Orthodox hierarchs from around the world are expected to participate in the enthronement of His Beatitude, Metropolitan Herman, as Primate of the Orthodox Church in America [OCA] on Saturday and Sunday, September 7 and 8, 2002.

“Metropolitan Herman was elected the OCA’s presiding hierarch during the 13th All-American Council held in Orlando, FL in late July,” according to the Very Rev. John Matusiak, OCA Communications Director. “He succeeds His Beatitude, Metropolitan Theodosius, who retired due to failing health after 25 years of service as the OCA’s Primate.”

The Rite of Enthronement, at which members of the OCA Holy Synod of Bishops will concelebrate together with hierarchs representing many of the world’s autocephalous, or self-governing, Orthodox Churches, will be celebrated during the Sunday morning Divine Liturgy at Saint Nicholas Cathedral, 3500 Massachusetts Ave. NW, which begins at 9:30 a.m.

On Saturday, September 7, the eve of the Enthronement Liturgy, Metropolitan Herman will preside at the 5:00 p.m. Vigil Service at the cathedral.

“On Saturday afternoon, members of the OCA Holy Synod of Bishops will visit the Pentagon, where they will lay a wreath and offer commemorative prayers for the victims of the 9/11 terrorist attacks,” Father Matusiak added. “Memorial prayers also will be offered at the conclusion of Sunday’s Enthronement Liturgy.”

In addition to the liturgical celebrations surrounding the Enthronement, Metropolitan Herman is slated to receive representatives from Orthodox Churches around the world on Saturday morning.

Other events being held in conjunction with Metropolitan Herman’s Enthronement include

• a breakfast honoring Metropolitan Herman with the clergy and staff of Saint Nicholas Cathedral, the primatial seat of the OCA, on Friday, September 6, followed by a meeting between Metropolitan Herman and His Excellency Yuri V. Ushakov, Russian Ambassador to the US, at the Embassy of the Russian Federation;

• a luncheon and meeting with Metropolitan Herman and the clergy of the Diocese of Washington, DC later the same day;

• a Saturday morning breakfast hosted by Metropolitan Herman for members of the OCA Holy Synod of Bishops and foreign hierarchs; and

• a meeting between Metropolitan Herman and Roman Catholic Cardinals Keeler and McCarrick and other religious leaders.

Full coverage of the Enthronement weekend will be available on the OCA web site at http://www.oca.org.