Vicar of Slavic Orthodox Vicariate Visits Greek Orthodox Archdiocese
May 19, 2021There is a tradition in Eastern Orthodoxy for the clergy to visit and greet the ruling bishop on major feast days. This is particularly important during the forty-day celebration of Pascha. On May 17th Archimandrite Alexander visited the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese in Manhattan and presented Paschal greetings to His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros on behalf of all clergy and laity of the Slavic Orthodox Vicariate.
He wished him continued divine assistance from our resurrected Lord in his efforts to promulgate Orthodoxy in America. The Vicar was accompanied by Fr. Alexander Belya, Rector of St. John the Forerunner & Baptist Cathedral in Brooklyn. Fr. Andreas Vithoulkas, Chancellor of the Greek Archdiocese, and others from the Archdiocesan Office were also present.
Archimandrite Alexander updated His Eminence on the progress of the Slavic Orthodox Vicariate and the work completed from the time of their last meeting. Archbishop Elpidophoros approved the transfers of Archpriest Mikhail Gutsul and Protodeacon Petr Utkin. Several other clergymen are currently in the process of transferring to the Vicariate.
During the meeting His Eminence expressed his keen interest in the needs of different parishes of the Slavic Vicariate. A discussion followed about how Pascha was celebrated in the various Slavic traditions. At the end of the visit the Archbishop thanked the guests for their dedication and service to God and the faithful.