St. George Russian Orthodox Church in Loveland, Ohio, a suburb of Cincinnati, celebrated its parish feast day both on Mid-Pentecost, the day of St. George’s repose, and on the Sunday following when Archbishop Gabriel was able to visit and serve.

Visitors from near and far gathered for the midweek feast day, including Archpriest Justin Patterson (St. Athanasius Church, Louisville, KY, OCA), Archpriest Gregory Ealy, (St. Paul Church, Dayton, OH, OCA), Hieromonk Isaac (Ewing) (Holy Cross Monastery, Wayne, WV), Priest Jeremiah Davis (St. Matrona Church, Winchester, KY) and priest Antony Alekseyenko (Reigning Mother of God parish, Charlotte, NC). Parish clergy including archpriest Daniel Marshall, archpriest George Lardas, priest Paul Akmolin and protodeacon Alexander Petrovsky joined to praise their patron. Many parishioners took time off work and school to attend both the festal vigil and the liturgy. The choir reprised much of its paschal repertoire and worthily praised the holy Great Martyr. After the joy of a festal Cross Procession, everyone gathered in the parish hall for a potluck meal lovingly prepared to honor the community’s heavenly patron.

The parish labored just a few days later to greet our recent locum tenens, Archbishop Gabriel, who had been unable to visit for the exact feast day since he was obliged to be in Germany for the Council of Bishops. Though many of the clergy could not attend, a grand festal choir under the direction of Kurt Sander amplified the festal atmosphere. The numerous parishioners and guests enjoyed yet another Paschal Cross Procession with hymns to St. George and an abundant festal meal prepared by the parish Sisterhood under the leadership of Head Sister, Svetlana Pinkerton, and with the assistance of the parish Brotherhood, under the guidance of Head Brother, Fr. Alexander Petrovsky, and Assistant Head Brother, Vance Holbrook.

Entwined with frequent Paschal greetings – Christ is Risen! – the feast of the Holy Great Martyr and Trophy-Bearer George resounded in the ears and hearts of all who were blessed to attend these festal days in Cincinnati: O Holy Great Martyr and Trophy-Bearer George, pray to God for us!