August 18/19, 2017

This year, after two years of intense repairs, the restoration of our church building concluded with a complete transfiguration of the church. Through the efforts of the rector, Father Ion Barbus, and a parish group of master builders, the entire first floor of the building was reconstructed, increasing its area twofold and turning it into a beautiful and spacious church. Our builders performed a truly extraordinary job!

The work was crowned by the coming of His Eminence Metropolitan Hilarion, who arrived from New York to serve the All-night Vigil and the Divine Liturgy on our patronal feast of the Transfiguration of Our Lord. The Metropolitan came out to serve the polyeleon together with Father Ion and Protodeacon Dionisiy Lvov, who had accompanied him on his visit. Our modest choir enthusiastically sang its usual monastic chants, creating an especially prayerful atmosphere in the church.

On the very day of the feast our Dean, Protopriest Victor Potapov, rector of our neighboring church in Washington, also arrived to take part in the service. During the Liturgy the Metropolitan gave out two greatly merited awards: our rector’s son, Ion Jr., was awarded an orarion for his many years of devoted and selfless service in the altar, while Father Ion himself was awarded a gold cross with decorations for all his diligent efforts and 25 years of service in the Church of Christ. At the end of the Liturgy church gramotas were handed out to a number of builders and benefactors of our new church.

After the end of the service, through the caring efforts of Matushka Viorica Barbus and our sisterhood, our prominent guests and all the faithful were offered an abundant and delicious Lenten lunch. During the lunch the parishioners honored their rector and congratulated him upon his well-earned reward.

We warmly thank dear Metropolitan Hilarion for coming and serving so festively in our renewed church on the very day of our patronal feast. The joy of this feast has left an indelible impression upon the hearts of all the faithful.