Numerous Romanian faithful from the Eastern coast of the United States of America participated on October 27 and 28, 2017 at the celebrations of St. Demetrius the New Monastery in Middletown, NY.
The celebration began on Friday evening with the service of Great Vespers with Lity, and continued the next day with Matins, Divine Liturgy, and a Memorial service for the founders and benefactors of the Monastery who passed away to the Lord.
The Divine Liturgy was celebrated by His Eminence Nicolae, Romanian Orthodox Metropolitan of the Americas, in the concelebration of an assembly of ten parish priests of the Metropolis, as well as guests from Romania. The choir of Saint Nicholas parish in Queens, New York, offered the liturgical answers.
In his sermon, His Eminence Nicolae referred to the simplicity and holiness of the life of St. Demetrius the New, also pointing to the gift made over centuries to the people who faithfully ask for his blessing during the pilgrimage to his relics at the Patriarchal Cathedral.
His Eminence Nicolae went on to mention the events dedicated to the commemorative year of Patriarch Justinian and the defenders of the Orthodox faith during communism organized in connection with this pilgrimage in Bucharest, the participation of the Primates and delegations of the Sister Orthodox Churches.
This event was attended by the Consul General of Romania in New York, Mr. Cătălin Radu Dancu, along with other representatives of the Romanian diplomatic bodies in the United States of America. The feast concluded with a fraternal agape meal, organized by the monastery.
Photo credit: mitropolia.us
