On Tuesday, July 18, when the Holy Church commemorates the Finding of the Relics of Venerable Sergius, Abbot of Radonezh, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York celebrated Divine Liturgy for the patronal feast of St. Sergius English Mission at the Synodal Headquarters in New York City.

Concelebrating with the First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad was Bishop John of Caracas & South America, as well as: Archpriests Serafim Gan (chancellor of the Synod of Bishops) and Vasily Zelenyuk (rector of Our Lady "Unexpected Joy" Church in Staten Island, NY), Abbot Zosimas (Krampis; rector of the English Mission), Priests Photie Erdman (rector of the Chapel of the Seven Holy Youths of Ephesus in Morris, NY) and Zachary Stoecker (parish cleric), Protodeacon Serge Arlievsky (cleric of Holy Dormition Convent "Novo-Diveevo" in Nanuet, NY), Hierodeacon Panteleimon (Jigalin; diocesan cleric), and Deacon Matthew Keil (cleric of Holy Annunciation Church in Flushing, NY).

The divine service was sung by the parish choir. A large number of mission parishioners and faithful of various nationalities from churches of the city and nearby states gathered to honor the memory of the venerable saint.

For his dedicated service to the Holy Church, Metropolitan Nicholas awarded Fr. Zachary Stoecker the right to wear the kamilavka, and presented him with a purple kamilavka as a gift.

Almost all of the parishioners communed of Christ’s Holy Mysteries on this day. His Eminence served a short moleben to the venerable saint before the icon of the saint.

Upon completion of Liturgy, Metropolitan Nicholas greeted the clergy and faithful with the feast and, in his sermon, reminded them that on this day we also honor the memory of Venerable Athanasius of Mt. Athos and the Venerable Martyrs Grand Duchess Elizabeth and Nun Barbara, and we thank God for giving us an example for emulation in these saints, renowned for their love and sacrifice.

His Eminence noted that "all of them brought gifts to God. Venerable Athanasius of Mt. Athos brought forth his monastic labors and prayers. He left the world and settled on Mt. Athos, where he began to live in solitude and harmony with God. Saints Elizabeth and Barbara gave their lives, while St. Sergius – our father, patron, and defender – offered God his love and prayers. He also left the world in order to acquire peace and tranquility away from the tumult of the city. People who beheld his love, kindness, and labors wanted to be near to this monk who loved God so strongly. And the Lord loved him in return, because he lived his entire life according to God’s commandments. Here is the example of these saints that we have before us – saints who brought their whole lives to God in sacrifice. What can we as Orthodox Christians bright to God?

"We are too proud. Where is our repentance? Where is our struggle with sins? Where is our prayer? DO we try to emulate the example of Venerable Sergius, such that the people around us will see the same kind of love? And so that those people will desire to be with us and emulate us? Not because we are wealthy or famous, but because they encounter in us him in whom they saw Heavenly joy and love for God."

Metropolitan Nicholas called on the faithful to try to be true Orthodox Christians not in name only, but in our whole lives, just as Venerable Sergius was. And, in that way, we will draw people not to ourselves, but to God and the Church.

Upon completion of the service, a festal luncheon was served.