On December 15, 2024, St. Matrona Cathedral in Miami welcomed Archbishop Elpidophoros of America. The Archbishop presided over the Divine Liturgy, assisted by Vicar of the Slavic Vicariate and Rector of the Miami Cathedral Archimandrite Alexander (Belya), Bishop-Elect of Nicopolis, clerics of the Vicariate, Archpriests Igor Tarasov and Vasyl Babych, cleric of the St. John the Forerunner Cathedral in Brooklyn Priest Petr Prakaptsou, cleric of the Vicariate Priest Ivan Zeikan, Rector of the Parish of the Nativity of the Mother of God in Dallas Priest Ivan Kovach, Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America Archdeacon Dionysios Papiris and Brooklyn Cathedral Archdeacon Volodymyr Oliynyk.
At the end of the Divine Liturgy, the Vicar Archimandrite Alexander offered welcome remarks on behalf of the clergy and the laymen of the Slavic Vicariate. Fr. Alexander noted that in the pre-Christmas period the Church remembers the memory of the Old Testament prophets. In particular, on December 15 we celebrate the memory of the Prophet Avvakum, who prophesied about the Incarnation, the Crucifixion and the Resurrection of Christ. “May the divinely speaking Avvacum now stand watch with us, and show forth a shining Angel saying resoundingly: Today salvation has come to the world; for Christ is risen as Almighty”- we hear in the text of the Paschal Canon. Also, on this day the Church celebrates a holiday in honor of the icon of the Holy Theotokos named “Gerontissa”, the main shrine of the Pantokratoros Monastery. In our Cathedral is a copy of this miraculous image, which was presented to the parish by Abbot Archimandrite Gabriel after a joint mass on the Feast of the Ascension of this year. You, Your Eminence also visited the Pantokratoros Monastery this year for the Feast of the Epiphany.” The Vicar stressed that December is the month of important historical events in the chronical of the Miami Cathedral – thirteen years ago the first Liturgy was held in the first parish church and nine years ago the consecration of the Cathedral was held. In conclusion, the Archimandrite Alexander thanked Archbishop Elpidophoros for his Archpastoral prayers and blessing in the main church of the Slavic Orthodox Vicariate.
Addressing the Vicariate, clergy, parishioners and guests of the Cathedral of St. Matrona, His Eminence noted the development of the Slavic Vicariate, in which new parishes have opened and which has added new priests. He also thanked the clerics, led by Archimandrite Alexander, for their service and work.
Following, Archbishop Elpidophoros elevated the priest Petr Prakaptsou to the rank of Archpriest and awarded medals and certificates to parishioners, volunteers and sisterhood for their assisting the Cathedral. Archpriest Igor Tarasov was awarded the Medal of St. Matrona of Moscow commemorating his 35th anniversary of his service as a clergyman.
Photos: Slavonic.org / Source: Goarch
