Haifa metochion of the Russian Ecclesiastical Mission celebrates patronal feast

On 2 August 2011, the commemoration day of St. Elijah the Prophet, Metropolitan Kyriakos of Nazareth and All Galilee officiated at the Divine Liturgy in the Church of St. Elijah, the Haifa metochion of the Russian Ecclesiastical Mission. Concelebrating were the head of the Russian Ecclesiastical Mission in Jerusalem, archimandrite Isidor (Minayev), and clerics of the Moscow and Jerusalem Patriarchates.

Many pilgrims attended the Liturgy that was celebrated in the Slavonic, Greek, and Arabic languages.

With the blessing of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia, the sacristan of the metochion, archpriest Mirposlav Vitiv, was awarded the Order of St. Seraphim of Sarov, 3^rd class, in consideration of his zealous pastoral ministry and in connection with the 20^th anniversary of his ordination.