Sunday of Orthodoxy 2008

Three Orthodox Hierarchs Concelebrate Divine Liturgy in Dallas, Texas

On March 16, 2008, the Sunday of the Triumph of Orthodoxy, the three hierarchs who serve the Orthodox faithful within the southern and central heartland of America concelebrated at the divine services in Dallas, Texas.

This expression of Orthodox unity was most visible in the brotherly love exhibited by Metropolitan Isaiah of Denver, Archbishop Dmitri of Dallas, and Bishop Basil of Wichita representing, respectively, the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, the Orthodox Church in America, and the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America.

Metropolitan Isaiah (left), Archbishop Dmitri (center) and Bishop Basil (right)
processing to the entrance of Saint Seraphim Cathedral.
(Click photo for larger image)

The three hierarchs concelebrated the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy of Saint Basil the Great for the Sunday of Orthodoxy at the OCA Saint Seraphim Cathedral in Dallas, Texas. Bishop Basil delivered the homily during the Liturgy, at the invitation of Archbishop Dmitri.

Bishop Basil preaching at Saint Seraphim Cathedral following the Gospel. The scaffolding seen in the photograph above is for the iconographer who is completing work in the dome.
(Click photo for larger image)

Metropolitan Isaiah, Archbishop Dmitri,
and Bishop Basil receiving the Body of Christ
during the communion of the clergy.
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Metropolitan Isaiah, Archbishop Dmitri,
and Bishop Basil standing in the High Place
of the Holy Altar after the Divine Liturgy.
(Click photo for larger image)

Sunday Evening Pan-Orthodox Vespers at Holy Trinity Parish in Dallas, Texas

Later on Sunday evening the three hierarchs presided at the Vespers of the Triumph of Orthodoxy at the Greek Orthodox Holy Trinity Church. Dozens of priests and deacons from the parishes of the Pan-Orthodox Clergy Association of North Texas concelebrated, and many hundreds of parishioners from all of the parishes in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex were in attrendance.

Archbishop Dmitri, Metropolitan Isaiah,
and Bishop Basil before the Hierarchical Throne.
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Hierarchs and Clergy on the Solea
during Sunday Evening Vespers.
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Pan-Orthodox Witness and Fellowship

Lenten meals were served following each of the services which afforded the clergy and laity time to enjoy fellowship together.

The brother bishops agreed to be together each year on the first weekend of the Great Fast to concelebrate the divine services for the feast of the Triumph of Orthodoxy. In 2009 they will be at the Antiochian Orthodox Saint George Cathedral in Wichita, and in 2010 they will be at the Greek Orthodox Assumption Cathedral in Denver.

Truly the words of David the Psalmist were manifest:

“Behold now, what is so good or so joyous as for brethren to dwell together in unity? It is like the oil of myrrh upon the head, which runs down upon the beard, upon the beard of Aaron, which runs down to the fringe of his raiment. It is like the dew of Aermon, which comes down upon the mountains of Sion. For there the Lord commanded the blessing: life for evermore.” LXX Psalm 132

Bishop Basil, Metropolitan Isaiah,
and Archbishop Dmitri
following the Service of Vespers.
(Click photo for larger image)