On Sunday, February 4, the Sunday of the Prodigal Sun and the New Martyrs and Confessors of the Church of Russia, the clergy and parishioners of St. Nicholas Church in Brookside, Alabama gathered to honor its longtime rector, Archpriest Benedict Tallant. Divine Liturgy was served led by the Dean of the Central States, Archpriest Roman Star; Fr. Benedict and Priest Paul Davis. 

After the Divine Services, a banquet was held in the parish hall marking Fr. Benedict's retirement and 55th anniversary of service to the parish. With the blessing of His Grace Bishop John, Priest Paul Davis assumed the duties as rector of the parish. Fr. Benedict was ordained on May 22, 1962 by Bishop Dositheus (Ivanchenko) then of the Patriarchal Exarchate in America and served St. Nicholas Parish since. Under Fr. Benedict's pastorship the parish has and continues to prosper as a shining beacon of Orthodoxy in the southern United States. 

We wish Fr. Benedict many years of health and continued service to the Holy Church!