On Saturday the 15th and Sunday the 16th of June, the great feast of Holy Pentecost, Eastern American Diocesan vicar Bishop Nicholas of Manhattan visited Holy Trinity Church in Vineland, NJ, and led the parish’s patronal feast day.

On Sunday morning, His Grace celebrated Divine Liturgy, co-served by parish rector Archpriest Liubo Milosevich, Priest Eugene Solodky (cleric of St. Andrew Naval Cathedral in Philadelphia, PA), and Protodeacon Leonid Roschko (cleric of St. Alexander Nevsky Diocesan Cathedral in Howell, NJ).

A multitude of parishioners and faithful from nearby locales came to share in the joy of the patronal feast and to pray with His Grace at the service. The church was beautifully adorned with greenery and flowers. The choir sang prayerfully.

Bishop Nicholas congratulated the clergy and faithful with the great feast, thanked everyone for their labors, for the warm reception and shared prayer, and in his sermon noted that, "in everything we do in life, at the services, we glorify the Holy Trinity and entreat a blessing for our good works." His Grace called on the faithful not to forget that everything is done with God’s aid, and reminded them of the significance of the prayer "O Heavenly King," through which we call upon the Holy Spirit, Who is able to cleanse us from every impure deed and lawlessness.

The Vespers with Kneeling Prayers were then served.

The parish rector thanked Bishop Nicholas for the joy of concelebrating. The parish sisterhood organized a festal luncheon for the clergy and guests, during which the Sunday School students put on a show for those gathered. The students also congratulated the clergy and their own fathers on the occasion of American Father’s Day. After the luncheon, His Grace spoke with the parish youth.

This is Bishop Nicholas’ first visit to Vineland as a hierarch. He once served here as a deacon, when he visited the parish, alongside the ever-memorable Metropolitan Laurus. From Vineland, Bishop Nicholas departed for Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville, where he took part in the festivities for their patronal feast, as well.