On Thursday, November 21, the feast of the Holy Archangel of God Michael and the other Heavenly Bodiless Hosts, the clergy and parishioners of St. Michael Church in Wayne, NJ, celebrated their patronal feast day. Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York celebrated Divine Liturgy in honor of the occasion.

Concelebrating with the First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad was Bishop Jerome (Shaw), as well as Archpriests Stefan Pavlenko (rector of All Saints of Russia Church in Burlingame, CA), Elias Gorsky (rector of Holy Virgin Protection Church in Nyack, NY), George Zelenin (parish rector), and Vasily Zelenyuk (rector of Our Lady "Unexpected Joy" Church in Staten Island, NY); Priest Andrew Podymow (cleric of Holy Protection Church); Protodeacons Serge Arlievsky (cleric of the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City) and Sergei Shoomiloff (parish cleric), and Deacons Nicholas Ilyin (cleric of Holy Protection Church) and Andrei Logvinenko (parish cleric).

At the Little Entrance, for his dedicated service to the Holy Church, Fr. Andrei was elevated to the rank of protodeacon and awarded the right to wear the kamilavka.

Liturgy was held under the aegis of the Protectress of the Russian Diaspora – the wonderworking Kursk Root Icon of the Mother of God.

The litany for the departed was intoned for the ever-memorable Metropolitan Philaret (Voznesensky; +1985), third First Hierarch of ROCOR, on the 39th anniversary of his blessed repose.

During the communion of the clergy, Bishop Jerome delivered a sermon on the words from the epistle reading from Hebrews, "Thou madest Him a little lower than the angels," noting that mankind has something in common with a stone (existing), more with a tree (life), more yet with a wolf (thought and action), but a great deal with angels, since we have not only an immortal soul, but the possibility of a spiritual life. But Satan is a spirit, and can give a (false) spiritual life. Therefore, we must keep the True Faith, not out of "narrowmindedness," but because any other is harmful to us.

Upon completion of Liturgy, the clergy served a moleben before the Kursk Icon.

Metropolitan Nicholas congratulated the clergy, parishioners, and guests with the feast of the Holy Archangel Michael and the other Heavenly Bodiless Hosts. His Eminence called on the faithful not to forget to pray to their guardian angels for success in every good work and for the salvation of their souls.

After the service, the clergy, parishioners, and guests were invited to a delicious luncheon prepared by the sisterhood.