On January 15, 2023, the feast of St. Seraphim of Sarov, at the invitation of the rector of St. Seraphim Memorial Church (ROCOR) in Sea Cliff, New York, Archpriest Serafim Gan, the rector of St. Nicholas Patriarchal Cathedral and Chancellor of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA, Archpriest Igor Vyzhanov, took part in the patronal feast.
The festal service was led by the rector of St. Seraphim Memorial Church and head of the chancery of the Synod of Bishops of the Russian Church Outside of Russia, Archpriest Serafim Gan. Concelebrating with him were Archpriest Igor Vyzhanov; the cleric of St. Nicholas Patriarchal Cathedral and Vice-Chancellor of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA, Priest Mark Rashkov; and the clergy of St. Seraphim Church, Protodeacon Paul Volkov and Protodeacon Evgeny Kallaur.
After the Prayer behind the Ambo, a glorification was sung with the reading of the prayer to St. Seraphim. At the end of the Divine Liturgy, Archpriest Igor Vyzhanov, at the rector’s request, addressed those gathered with a sermon, emphasizing the importance for every Orthodox Christian of following the example of St. Seraphim of Sarov in his love for God and in ascetic struggle according to one’s strength.
Fellowship of the clergy and parishioners continued at a fraternal meal prepared by the parish sisterhood headed by Elizaveta Mikhailovna Mikheeva.
