SVS: 2004 Feast of the Three Hierarchs

St Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary - Three Hierarchs' Chapel

Feast of the Three Hierarchs
Ordination of Kirill Sokolov to the Holy Diaconate

On January 30, 2004, the Church celebrates the memory of the three great hierarchs and ecumenical teachers: Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian, and John Chrysostom. Photographs courtesy of: John Mindala, Orthodox Church in America Peter Bouteneff, Andrew Deutschen, Julia Wickes, Barbara Sokolov
The Chapel of St Vladimir's Seminary is dedicated to the Three Hierarchs.
His Beatitude, Metropolitan HERMAN, Archbishop of Washington, Metropolitan of All America and Canada presided at the patronal feast day of the seminary chapel. Concelebrating with him was Bishop HILARION of Vienna and Austria of the Church of Russia.
Rev. Alexander Rentel and concelebrating clergy await the arrival of the hierarchs.

The Entrance Prayers.


Subdeacons Jason Vansuch and Kirill Sokolov vest His Beatitude.

Seminary Deacon Kevin Smith and Archdeacon Alexei Klimitchev cense and intone prayers during the vesting of the Metropolitan.
Metropolitan HERMAN blesses the faithful.
Archpriest Paul Lazor, Rector of Three Hierarchs' Chapel, intones the opening exclamation of the Divine Liturgy.
Priests concelebrating included seminary and chancery clergy of the Orthodox Church in America.
His Beatitude, Metropolitan HERMAN and His Grace, Bishop HILARION.

Washing of Hands.

The Little Entrance.
The Seminary Choir sang under the direction of Professor David Drillock.

The Reading of the Epistle.
His Grace, Bishop HILARION gave the homily.
The Great Entrance.


During the Divine Liturgy, Subdeacon Kirill Sokolov of St Vladimir's Seminary was ordained to the Holy Diaconate by His Beatitude, Metropolitan HERMAN.
Subdeacons Jason Vansuch and David Wagschal ('02) lead Subdeacon Kirill to the Altar.

Deacons lead Kirill around the altar during the ordination. The candidate venerates the four corners of the altar table.
Archdeacon Alexei Klimitchev leading the candidate.
The candidate bows before the hierarch, kissing the vestment known as the palitsa.
Deacon Kevin Smith leads Kirill around the altar.
Subdeacon Kirill's wife, Seminarian Sophia Sokolov, singing responses in the choir during the ordination.
Seminarian Deacon David Arnold leads Kirill around the altar.
Metropolitan HERMAN offering words of encouragement to the candidate.
His Beatitude, Metropolitan HERMAN, laying hands on Subdeacon Kirill.
"The grace divine, which always healeth that which is infirm, and completeth that which is wanting, elevateth, through the laying-on of hands, Kirill, the most devout Subdeacon, to be a Deacon: Wherefore, let us pray for him, that the grace of the all-holy Spirit may come upon him."
The new deacon is robed in the vestments of his rank. His Beatitude presents the orarion, intoning "Axios!" (worthy) which is repeated by the clergy and faithful.
Metropolitan HERMAN presents the cuffs.


The sacramental fan is presented to the deacon.
Metropolitan HERMAN blesses the faithful at the conclusion of the rite of ordination.
The newly-ordained Deacon Kirill elevates the fan over the Precious Gifts.
The newly-ordained Deacon Kirill is communed of the Body and Blood of Christ.


The Communion of the Faithful. Archpriest Victor Sokolov ('85) concelebrated at the Divine Liturgy at which his son was ordained to the Holy Diaconat.


The newly-ordained Deacon Kirill offers his first petitions following Communion.



Following the Divine Liturgy, Metropolitan HERMAN greeted Bishop HILARION and presented him with an icon of St Herman of Alaska.

Metropolitan HERMAN congratulated Deacon Kirill and Sophia Sokolov and offered words of encouragement.

His Beatitude presents Deacon Kirill and Sophia with an icon of St Herman of Alaska.
Dean John Erickson welcomes Metropolitan HERMAN on the occasion of the seminary chapel's patronal feast day.

From left to right: Newly-ordained Deacon Kirill Sokolov, Sophia Sokolov, Metropolitan HERMAN, Bishop HILARION, Archpriest Paul Lazor.
From left to right: Newly-ordained Deacon Kirill Sokolov, Sophia Sokolov, Barbara Sokolov, Metropolitan HERMAN, Archpriest Victor Sokolov, Bishop HILARION, Archpriest Paul Lazor.