On Tuesday, December 19, the feast of the Holy Hierarch Nicholas, Archbishop of Myra in Lycia, the Wonderworker, Bishop Jerome (Shaw) paid an archpastoral visit to St. Nicholas Church in Stratford, CT, where he officiated Divine Liturgy in honor of the parish’s patronal feast.

Concelebrating with His Grace were: Archpriest Elias Gorsky (rector of Holy Virgin Protection Church in Nyack, NY), Dimitri Jakimowicz (parish rector), and George Temidis (secretary of the diocesan administration), Priest Andrew Podymow (cleric of Holy Protection Church), and Deacons Alexey Pnev (cleric of Nativity of the Mother of God Church at the New Kursk Root Hermitage in Mahopac, NY) and David Dutkanicz (parish cleric). Parish Protodeacon Paul Giatas prayed and communed in the altar.

The choir was conducted, for her first time at a hierarchical Liturgy, by Matushka Mary Dutkanicz.

Bishop Jerome delivered two sermons; the first, in Russian, on the Epistle to the Hebrews 13:17-21, how God perfects our beginnings; and the second, in English, on why we all should be zealous converts.

Upon conclusion of Liturgy, the clergy served a moleben to St. Nicholas.

After the service, a luncheon was served for all in the parish hall.