On Bright Monday, April 17, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York paid an archpastoral visit to St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in Howell, NJ, where he celebrated Divine Liturgy. At the entrance to the cathedral, His Eminence was greeted by the gathered clergy and students of the parish Russian School.
Concelebrating with the First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad were: Archpriests Serge Lukianov (cathedral rector), Vasily Andrejuk, Luka Novakovic (cathedral clerics), Zoran Radovic (rector of St. George Serbian Church in Elizabeth, NJ), and Boris Slootsky (cathedral cleric), Abbots Eutychius (Dovgan; abbot of St. Nicholas Skete in Freehold, NJ) and Arseny (Manko; rector of Sts. Cosmas & Damian Church in Passaic, NJ), Archpriests Leonid Goferman (rector of Holy Virgin Protection Church in New Brunswick, NJ) and Serge Ledkovsky (deputy rector of St. Vladimir Memorial Church in Jackson, NJ), Priest Anthony Williams and Protodeacon Paul Drozdowski (cathedral clerics), Hierodeacon Panteleimon (Jigalin; diocesan cleric), and Deacons Alexandre Sarandinaki and Dimitry Lisan (cathedral clerics), as well as Deacon Pavel Roudenko (cleric of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA).
Liturgy was held under the aegis of the Protectress of the Russian Diaspora – the wonderworking Kursk Root Icon of the Mother of God.
A multitude of cathedral parishioner and guests from neighboring churches gathered to pray at the service. Virtually all those present communed of Christ’s Holy Mysteries.
On behalf of the ROCOR Synod of Bishops, Metropolitan Nicholas presented Fr. Serge with a jubilee jeweled cross prepared in honor of the centennial of the Russian Church Abroad, and in memory of the ever-memorable Metropolitan Hilarion (Kapral; +2022) also presented the cathedral with a set: a Theotokion panagia and a jubilee panagia depicting St. Alexander Nevsky and cross prepared in honor of the 800th anniversary of the right-believing prince and the 85th anniversary of the cathedral’s founding. Fr. Serge sincerely thanked the First Hierarch for these blessed gifts.
A traditional procession took place with the clergy, faithful, and children carrying the festal, Kursk Root, and other icon. A children’s holiday was arranged for the youngest parishioners.
In the parish hall, the sisterhood prepared a Paschal luncheon for the clergy and faithful. At lunch, Metropolitan Nicholas presented the Russian a painting depicting St. John of Kronstadt Chapel in Jordanville, which had hung in Metropolitan Hilarion’s cell.
Howell, NJ: On Bright Monday, Metropolitan Nicholas performs Archpastoral Visit to St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral - 04/17/23
Photos: Media Office of the Eastern American Diocese - T. Veselkina; G. Rimakis
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