On Sunday, 18 January, we honoured our patron saint, Hilary, great bishop and defender of the Trinitarian faith.
This day was marked by a great blessing: the presence of His Eminence Metropolitan John of Dubna, Archbishop of the Russian Orthodox Churches in Western Europe. We thus had the joy of receiving our bishop, who radiated among us through his gentleness, his joy, the depth of his teaching and his pastoral courage. His fatherly presence deeply touched the faithful gathered for this celebration.
He was surrounded by the clergy, notably Father Philippe Maillard, rector of the parish, Father Nicolas (Petit), second priest, Deacon Serge (Malko) of the parish of the Resurrection in Nantes, Subdeacon Dimitri (Gladiy) of the parish of St Martin of Tours, and Subdeacon Antoine Kadar of the St Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in Paris.
Metropolitan John presided over the Divine Liturgy in an atmosphere of fervent prayer, fraternal communion and love for the Church.
At the end of the liturgy, Father Philippe, on behalf of the parish, presented our Archbishop with an enamel reproduction of a stained-glass window of the cathedral of Coutances (Manche) depicting Christ in Majesty.
The parish feast continued with festive agape meal, remarkably organized and prepared by the women of the parish, who had also decorated the chapel.
With one voice and one heart, we sang with joy and gratitude: “Eis pollà étē, Despota!”
And we prayed fervently: May God grant him many years: Mnogaya Lieta, Vladika! May the intercession of St Hilary of Poitiers continue to strengthen our parishes in the Orthodox faith, in unity and in fidelity to Christ.
