It is an amazing gift that with the blessing of Patriarch Neofit and the blessing of the beloved Prelate of our diocese, Metropolitan Joseph, three Hierarchs, the Metropolitans Serafim of Nevrokop, Grigorii of Vratsa, and Daniil of Vidin, together with Archimadrite Epifaniy came from Bulgaria to Boston to officiate the tonsuring and ordinations of our beloved Brothers in Christ from the parish of Holy Resurrection Orthodox Church in Boston, MA.

Upon the hierarchs’ arrival to New York on Thursday, August 16, the visiting metropolitans toured that city and visited with His Eminence Metropolitan Joseph. Then on Friday, August 24, they traveled to St. John the Baptist Monastery, Warwick, MA to participate in the tonsuring of the two brothers. The newly tonsured each received the new names Joseph and Nathaniel. From Saturday, August 25 until Tuesday, August 28, the hierarchs came to Boston at Holy Resurrection Orthodox Church to ordain the new monastics first as deacons and then as priests.

In unity and love, everyone helped to prepare to receive this blessing. The monastery was prepared to receive over 60 witnesses to this awesome event, and the church received several hundred.  Metropolitan Daniil congratulated the newly tonsured and ordained with these words, “We greet you on this your personal Pentecost. May the same Spirit that descended on the apostles on Mount Tabor at the Transfiguration also descend upon you who live near Mount Grace [a mountain in Warwick, MA].” In the Name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.