On Wednesday, February 15, the great feast of the Meeting of the Lord, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York, First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad, paid an archpastoral visit to Holy Presentation Church in Stratford, CT, and officiated the divine services for the parish’s patronal feast day.

Concelebrating with His Eminence at Divine Liturgy were Archpriests Brendan Crowley (rector of St. Nicholas Church in Enfield, CT), Constantine Semyanko (parish rector), and Dimitri Jakimowicz (rector of St. Nicholas Church in Stratford), Priest Patrick Burns (rector of Three Saints Church OCA in Ansonia, CT), Protodeacon Serge Arlievsky (cleric of Holy Dormition Convent "Novo-Diveevo" in Nanuet, NY), Hierodeacon Panteleimon (Jigalin; diocesan cleric, accompanying the hierarch), and Deacons Eugene Utnyukhin (cleric of St. Panteleimon Church in Hartford, CT) and David Dutkanicz (cleric of St. Nicholas Church).

The services were held under the aegis of the Protectress of the Russian Diaspora – the wonderworking Kursk Root Icon of the Mother of God ‒ which had accompanied the First Hierarch unto the joy of the faithful.

Upon completion of Liturgy, Metropolitan Nicholas addressed worshippers with a sermon on the feast, and then congratulated Fr. Constantine and the parishioners on the occasion of their patronal feast.

After the service, a bountiful luncheon was offered in the parish hall. Prior to the start of lunch, the parish children’s choir gladdened everyone with the singing of the festal troparion.