Name day of abbot and rector of Holy Trinity Monastery and Seminary coincided with many noteworthy events this year. On Saturday, October 30th, His Emminence Metropolitan Hilarion visited Holy Trinity Monastery. Several noteworthy events occurred during that weekend. Among the clergy and the guests of the monastery were many pilgrims from the Church of St. John the Baptist in Washington, D.C., and Orthodox Christians from Russia and other countries, who came to memorate the thirteenth year of the death of brother Joseph Muñoz.

On Saturday afternoon, the Primate and the monastic brotherhood served a memorial service at the grave site of murdered brother Joseph Muñoz. Then, the clergy and the guests of the monastery greeted the Iveron icon of the Theotokos that was brought to the Holy Trinity Cathedral by parishioners from Hawaii. The icon is renowned for its frequent and abundant streaming of myrrh, which started after Br. Joseph’s Icon disappeared. After the Orthodox venerated the Icon of the Mother of God, the Metropolitan presided over All-Night Vigil.

On Sunday, October 31st, Divine Liturgy was celebrated, during which the Primate ordained one of the monks of the Holy Trinity brotherhood, Hierodeacon Gabriel, into priesthood. The newly ordained Hieromonk Gabriel was greeted by clergy and the brotherhood as well as by many pilgrims. On that day, which was dedicated to Apostle Luke, the abbot of the monastery, Archimandrite Luke, marked the day of his celestial patron. On that occasion, a reception was held in the abbot’s guest parlor for everyone who wished to attend.

Following the abbot’s reception, the brotherhood, seminary faculty and students, and the guests of the monastery had the opportunity to meet with Julia Sysoeva, the widow of murdered priest and missionary Fr. Daniel Sysoev. A film about the life of Fr. Daniel was shown in the assembly hall of Holy Trinity Seminary, and then Matushka Julia answered the questions of the attendees.  
 
In the course of the weekend, the clergy and the guests had opportunities to thank Metropolitan Hilarion for visiting the monastery and to discuss any important issues with him. Before his departure, the Primate served another memorial service at the grave site of murdered brother Joseph and then said good bye to his flock.