His Beatitude Metropolitan Jonah visits Holy Apostles!

Metropolitan Jonah

We were blessed to receive an archpastoral visit from His Beatitude Metropolitan Jonah this past weekend, November 5th - 7th.  His Beatitude arrived on Friday, and went straight to Grace Lutheran Church, where he had been invited to speak on Orthodox Christian Spirituality.  His talk, entitled "Do not react, do not resent, keep inner stillness" was well received by the audience of Lutheran, Roman Catholic, Orthodox, and other Christians.

On Saturday, the Metropolitan traveled to Hartshorne, Oklahoma, site of the oldest Orthodox Church in the Diocese of the South.  Ss. Cyril and Methodius, the second oldest church building in Oklahoma, was originally founded in the 1890's, but the current building dates to 1916.  The community, in addition to being the oldest in the Diocese, was also served by St. John Kuchurov during his time in Chicago.  While there, His Beatitude served Liturgy and enjoyed a meal of fellowship with the community.  He also spoke to them about the possibility of a women's monastic community coming to reside there, and idea that was greeted with much enthusiasm.  This was the first ever visit of a Metropolitan of the OCA to this community. 

Saturday evening, Metropolitan Jonah travelled back to Holy Apostles to attend Vespers, concelebrated by Priest Ambrose Arrington and Fr. Bill Christ of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church.  Afterwards, at the festive meal, he spoke to us encouraging us in persevering in the spiritual life.  Sunday morning he arrived to be greeted by girls carrying flowers, the traditional bread and salt, and with ringing bells entered the church to celebrate the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy.  Four men, Matthew Floyd, Robert Bearer, John Darnall, and Andrew Johnson, were tonsured as readers of Holy Apostles, and Patrick Teague was ordained Subdeacon.    Fr. Ambrose was awarded the Gold Cross for his faithful service as rector of Holy Apostles.  His Beatitude's homily may be heard here.  Following the Liturgy was another festive meal, after which Metropolitan Jonah was able to tour the new rectory, which will be ready for Fr. Ambrose and his family within a week.  Other clergy serving with His Beatitude on Sunday were Archdeacon Joseph Matusiak and Deacon Steven Kroll.  It was truly a joyous and encouraging weekend for our communtiy.