On Monday, January 30, with the blessing of the First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad, His Eminence Hilarion, Metropolitan of Eastern America & New York, and at the invitation of His Eminence Agathangel, Metropolitan of Odessa & Izmail, His Grace Nicholas, Bishop of Manhattan (vicar of the Eastern American Diocese) began his official visit to the Diocese of Odessa of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.

Upon arrival, Bishop Nicholas was greeted by His Grace Victor, Bishop of Artsiz (vicar of the Diocese of Odessa, deputy abbot of Holy Prophet Elijah Monastery), and Archimandrite Seraphim (Rakovsky; rector of Odessa Theological Seminary). Bishop Victor hosted his guest at St. Elijah Monastery, after which he accompanied Bishop Nicholas to Holy Dormition Patriarchal Monastery, where he will stay during his visit.

While in Odessa, Bishop Nicholas will visit the monasteries and holy sites of the city, participate in the triumphal greeting of a piece of the head of the Holy Great-Martyr Panteleimon from Mount Athos, and concelebrate with Metropolitan Agathangel on His Eminence’s namesday  – Sunday, February 5.

On Monday, February 6, with the blessing of His Beatitude Onufry, Metropolitan of Kiev & All Ukraine, the Eastern American Diocesan vicar will pay a brief visit to Kiev, where he will pray in the Kiev Caves Lavra and other holy sites of the capital prior to his return to the United States on February 9.