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It has become our tradition to celebrate our Patronal Feast on the first Sunday after Christmas. This is an important and happy event, especially as it is still illuminated by the light of Christmas. A gorgeous Christmas fir tree decorates the interior of the church; the choir sings Christmas chants; our parishers and guests share a meal after the service; children play joyful games and receive presents.
This year, a special occasion coincided with our celebration: His Eminence Hilarion, Metropolitan of Eastern America and New York, Archbishop of Sydney and Australia and New Zeeland, First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad, visited Wellington on his Archpastoral mission. Like in previous years, a group of pilgrim from Auckland arrived with Fr. Vladimir, rector and dean of all New Zealand parishes.
His Eminence Metropolitan Hilarion celebrated the Liturgy, assisted by New Zealand Orthodox clergy (archpriest Fr. Vladimir Boikov and priests Frs. Valentin Basyuk and Alexander Skorik) as well as by Fr. Andrej, a Serbian priest from Australia, and Archimandrite Peter (Kondratiev) from Canada. After the Liturgy, His Eminence talked to the parish about the meaning of Christmas and reminded everyone of these words of Jesus Christ: “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” (The Gospel from Matthew, 6:33).
In his return speech, Father Alexander thanked His Eminence in the name of the parish. Then the celebration continued in the church hall, where a splendid array of food was set on the tables. Children from the Sunday school produced a small play about how even a little bit of love can change the world around us. Then the children played games, and enjoyed the presents Grandfather Frost handed out to them. Then everyone joined in a festive banquet.
Many thanks to all of you who helped to organise the celebration, prepare food, billet the pilgrims, put up the concert. Many thanks to the entire parish and to our guests who shared our celebration with us that day.
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