On Monday, November 4, the feast of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York paid an archpastoral visit to Our Lady of Kazan Church in Newark, NJ, where he officiated its patronal feast day.

His Eminence celebrated Divine Liturgy, joined by the Interim Administrator of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA & Canada, Bishop Matthew of Sourozh, as well as a host of clergy:

• Archimandrite Siluan (Lembei; cleric of Holy Dormition Convent "Novo-Diveevo" in Nanuet, NY)
• Archpriest Serge Lukianov (dean of New Jersey)
• Archpriest Mark Burachek (parish rector)
• Archpriest Elias Gorsky (rector of Holy Virgin Protection Church in Nyack, NY)
• Archpriest George Zelenin (rector of St. Michael Church in Wayne, NJ)
• Archpriest Vasily Zelenyuk (rector of Our Lady "Unexpected Joy" Church in Staten Island, NY)
• Archpriest Pavel Ivanov (rector of Holy Myrrhbearers Church in Brooklyn, NY)
• Abbot Arseny (Manko; diocesan cleric)
• Abbot Nicodemus (Balyasnikov; interim chancellor of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA)
• Priest Mark Rashkov (rector of St. John the Baptist Church in Little Falls, NJ)
• Priest Andrew Podymow (cleric of Holy Protection Church in Nyack)
• Protodeacon Serge Arlievsky (cleric of the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City)
• Protodeacon Eugene Kallaur (cleric of St. Seraphim Memorial Church in Sea Cliff, NY)
• Protodeacon Serge Shoomiloff (cleric of St. Michael Church in Wayne)
• Deacon Alexis Golubov (cleric of St. Nicholas Patriarchal Cathedral in New York City)
• Deacon Nicholas Ilyin (cleric of Holy Protection Church in Nyack), and
• Deacon Patrick Hinds (cleric of St. Elizabeth Church in Rocky Hill, NJ).

Singing the divine services was a mixed choir of parishioners and guests.

After Communion, the First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad addressed worshippers with a sermon.

Upon completion of Liturgy, a short moleben was served before the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God.

At the end of the service, Metropolitan Nicholas heartily congratulated the rector, clergy, and laity of Our Kazan Church on their patronal feast day. The First Hierarch warmly greeted Bishop Matthew of Sourozh, wishing his concelebrant a blessed stay on American soil, as well as God’s help in his archpastoral labors.

Bishop Matthew thanked the Metropolitan and the rector of the church for the opportunity to celebrate Liturgy in this holy church on its feast, and conveyed to those gathered the blessing and good wishes on behalf of His Holiness, Patriarch Kyrill.

As a gift to Metropolitan Nicholas, the Administrator of the Patriarchal Parishes presented him with a panagia, expressing gratitude for the constant fraternal support and assistance of the hierarchy of the Russian Church Abroad to the flock of His Holiness in North America, during the past difficult years of various restrictions related to the epidemic, which prevented in-person interaction and joint services.

A festal luncheon was then offered in the parish hall for the clergy and faithful.