Sts Cyril and Methodius Orthodox Institute
6 Jun 08: Leave-taking of Pascha in at the Birth of the Mother of God parish in Mahopac
On Tuesday evening, June 3rd, Metropolitan Hilarion prayed at Vespers for the Apodosis (leave-taking) of Pascha at the Nativity of the Holy Mother of God parish in Mahopac, NY. The Metropolitan’s secretary, Archpriest Michael Boikov, served and Priests Ilya Gun and Alexander Botschagow prayed in the Church.
Following the service, Metropolitan Hilarion remembered prior visits and people associated with the Hermitage of the Kursk Root Icon, walking the grounds with the parishioners, stopping to see the outdoor chapel and its iconography, saying a prayer at the graves of many familiar people in the cemetery, and singing Christ is Risen in the small chapel at the pond.
After the walk, Metropolitan Hilarion joined the parishioners for dinner. Discussion was lively, with many remembrances. His Eminence expressed joy at seeing the return of life to this Holy place and wished the parish strength and well-being to continue the rebirth. His Eminence told the parishioners that he shared their desire for this beautiful, historic, prayer-filled place to continue to exist.
