In August of 2012, His Grace Bishop Daniil, our Vicar Bishop, visited Holy Dormition Orthodox Church in Santa Rosa, CA. The day after he arrived we traveled to Fort Ross, the first Russian Orthodox settlement in the lower 48. We attended the 200th Anniversary of the founding of the settlement. A Divine Liturgy was served and co-celebrated by Metropolitan Hilarion of the Moscow Patriarch and Metropolitan Hilarion of ROCOR. There were many other bishops and priests who served and a great number of laity from around the world. After the Liturgy there was a procession around the the perimeter of the fort with icons, followed by a second procession to the cemetery. At the Cemetery a plaque was unveiled commemorating St. Innocent's visit to Fort Ross and prayers were said for the founders of the fort. It was a joyful and memorable event.
The next day, His Grace served Sunday Divine Liturgy at Holy Dormition and spoke wonderful words about spiritual life. On the following Tuesday, His Grace celebrated our Patronal Feast of Holy Dormition with an inspiring Vigil the night before. The Divine Liturgy was uplifting and well attended with guest clergy and laity from other Orthodox churches in Santa Rosa. The Divine Liturgy was followed by a delicious meal prepared by our sisterhood.
On the following weekend, His Grace visited St. Herman of Alaska Monastery in Platina, CA for the 30th Anniversary of the repose of Fr. Seraphim Rose. His Grace served Divine Liturgy on Saturday morning in the monastery church with Abbot Hilarion and the hieromonks. On Sunday, the day of Fr. Seraphim's repose, His Grace served the Divine Liturgy with His Eminence, Metropolitan Hilarion of ROCOR.
The Liturgy was celebrated outdoors at the grave of Fr. Seraphim and there were many guest clergy and a large crowd of pilgrims from around the world.The Divine Liturgy was followed by a wonderfully prepared meal and then, in the afternoon, talks on Fr. Seraphim were given. It truly was a grace-filled day with a beautiful and peaceful Divine Liturgy and a joyful community of pilgrims being thankful to God for Fr. Seraphim.
The Liturgy was celebrated outdoors at the grave of Fr. Seraphim and there were many guest clergy and a large crowd of pilgrims from around the world.The Divine Liturgy was followed by a wonderfully prepared meal and then, in the afternoon, talks on Fr. Seraphim were given. It truly was a grace-filled day with a beautiful and peaceful Divine Liturgy and a joyful community of pilgrims being thankful to God for Fr. Seraphim.
30th Anniversary of the repose of Fr. Seraphim Rose of Platina - 09/02/12
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We thank His Eminence, Metropolitan Joseph, for sending His Grace, Bishop Daniil, to us for our Patronal Feast. We thank His Grace for expressing so graciously his and His Eminence's love and support for all of us here at Holy Dormition. We feel blessed to have such Hierarchs over our Diocese. Truly it was an inspiring and memorable week and we look forward to our Hierarch's next visit to our community.
