After the first week of Great Lent, one of strict fasting and long and compunctionate services, the monastery celebrated the Sunday of Orthodoxy, the triumph over the heresy of iconoclasm.  The Divine Liturgy on Sunday was presided over by His Grace, Bishop Luke of Syracuse and abbot of the Holy Trinity Monastery as well as rector of the Holy Trinity Seminary.  Vladyka was co-served by the monastery clergy.  During the Small Entrance, Igumen Theophylact was raised to the rank of archimandrite by Vladyka.

            The liturgy was followed by the Rite of Orthodoxy.  Vladyka along with the clergy gathered in the middle of the church.  Protodeacon Peter Markevich intoned the proclamation of the rite including the anathemas, each one followed by the chanting of “Anathema!” first by the clergy and followed by the choir.  It must be stated that the anathemas include those that were used in pre-revolutionary Russia as well as those proclaimed by the Church in modern times, against those heresies which afflict the Church in current circumstances.

            This was followed by the chanting of “Eternal Memory” to those pillars of Orthodoxy, our Holy Fathers as well as Orthodox monarchs, who defended Orthodoxy down through the ages.  This itself was followed by the intoning of “Many Years” to our hierarchs, who continue to proclaim the saving truths of Holy Orthodoxy even today among so many difficulties.  Glory to God that we can hold this service, which is so important for the safe-keeping of Orthodoxy  among our flock.