Vicar Celebrates the Feast of the Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem

On April 5, on the feast of the Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem, the vicar of the Slavic Vicariate, Archimandrite Alexander Belya, Bishop elected of Niсopolis, celebrated the Divine Liturgy at St. Matrona Cathedral in Miami.

He was concelebrated by the rector of the parish, Archpriest Maksim Pliskou.

Following the ancient custom in memory of how the people greeted the Lord with green branches, palm and willow branches were blessed during the All-Night Vigil. That is why, among the Slavs, this feast is also called Willow Sunday. The blessed branches were distributed to the parishioners during the anointing with holy oil.

The cathedral was full of faithful during the Liturgy, most of whom received the Holy Mysteries of Christ.

At the end of the service, Archimandrite Alexander addressed the faithful with a sermon in which he explained the spiritual meaning of the feast. The rector wished the clergy and laity God’s help in passing through Holy Week, so that they might meet the Bright Resurrection of Christ with a pure heart and in a worthy manner.

“Today, together with the ancient Jerusalem, we cry out ‘Hosanna!’ to the Lord who is coming. May Christ enter not only this temple, but into each of our hearts. Let us humbly carry the Cross with the Lord during these holy days, so that we may truly rejoice in His Resurrection,” said Fr. Alexander.