The funeral Bishop Daniel of Erie

(ROCOR-EAD) - On Wednesday, April 28, on the Midfeast of Pentecost, in the Nativity of Christ Church, the faithful bid farewell to His Grace, Bishop Daniel of Erie, vicar bishop of the First Hierarch of ROCOR for the care of Old Believers. The church is located on the shores of Lake Erie in Erie, PA (both the city and the lake were named after the local Erie Indian Tribe), less than 100 miles from the Canadian border and the famous Niagara Falls.

The vicar bishops of the Eastern American Diocese, Bishops George of Mayfield and Jerome of Manhattan, arrived in Erie on April 27 for Bishop Daniel’s funeral. Bishop Jerome celebrated the Old Rite Liturgy, co-served by parish clerics: church dean Archpriest Pimen Simon, Priest Theodore Jurewicz and Priest Hierotheus Popoff, as well as Priest Seraphim Wing, and parish deacons Stefan Klimczak and Markel Wassell. Bishop George prayed in the altar during the Liturgy. During the Small Entrance, in accordance with Old Rite tradition, the casket was carried into the altar through the Royal Doors and placed on the right side of the altar.

During the readings of the Epistle and Gospel, the casket was moved to the high place, and was taken back to the center of the church upon completion of the Liturgy. The funeral was led by Bishop George, co-served by Bishop Jerome and the above-mentioned clergy, who served to the antiphonal singing of the male and female choirs. Bishop Jerome delivered the eulogy, after which parishioners and the faithful bid farewell to their beloved hierarch. Upon completion of the funeral service, the newly reposed Bishop Daniel was committed to the earth in the local Orthodox cemetery, where many Old Rite parishioners are buried. After the burial, the faithful returned to the parish hall for a commemorative luncheon.

Following the luncheon, Bishop George continued his journey, traveling to the town of Parma, OH (a suburb of Cleveland, the See of Bishop Peter of Cleveland), to St. Sergius Cathedral to venerate a piece of the relics of St. Sergius of Radonezh, which began to stream holy myrrh on Sunday, April 18. Bishop George was greeted by cathedral dean Priest Ilia Marzev, after which Vladyka served a moleben before the relics. His Grace then departed Cleveland for Holy Cross Monastery.

More photos available here.