On Tuesday, April 21 – the day of commemoration of the departed, called Radonitsa, or the ‘Day of Rejoicing’ – His Eminence Nicholas, Metropolitan of Eastern America & New York, visited Holy Protection Church in Buena, NJ, where he celebrated Divine Liturgy. Concelebrating with the First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad were:

• Archpriest Vasily Andrejuk (cleric of St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in Howell, NJ)
• Archpriest Serge Lukianov (dean of New Jersey)
• Archpriest Ljubo Milosevic (rector of Holy Trinity Church in Vineland, NJ)
• Archpriest Leonid Goferman (rector of Holy Virgin Protection Church in New Brunswick, NJ)
• Archpriest Serge Ledkovsky (deputy rector of St. Vladimir Memorial Church in Jackson, NJ)
• Archpriest Nikolai Manduke (cleric of St. Vladimir Memorial Church)
• Archpriest Valery Sukholobov (rector of Joy of All Who Sorrow Church in Philadelphia, PA)
• Archpriest George Temidis (secretary of the diocesan administration)
• Archpriest Gregory Winsky (rector of St. Michael Church in Philadelphia)
• Priest Anthony Williams (cleric of St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral)
• Deacon Nicholas Ilyin (cleric of Holy Virgin Protection Church in Nyack, NY), and
• Deacon Dumitru Lişan (cleric of St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral).

During the divine services, the choir sang under the direction of Alexandra Lukianov.

Numerous parishioners of Holy Trinity Church in Vineland, as well as faithful from other churches in New Jersey, prayed at Liturgy. Many communed of Christ’s Holy Mysteries of Christ.

Upon conclusion of the divine service, Metropolitan Nicholas urged the faithful to remember their parents, those who gave us both our life and our faith.

"Today, we heard beautiful words from the Apostle and Evangelist John the Theologian: ‘He that doeth truth cometh to the light’ (John 3:21). Everyone who acts in accordance with the truth walks toward the light.' The Light is the Lord God; and, especially during these days of Pascha, we feel and behold the light emanating from the Tomb of the Risen Savior. Let us always act in accordance with the truth and with our conscience, cherishing love for God and our neighbors; let us humbly place our hope in God’s mercy and conduct ourselves as befits an Orthodox Christian. Let us walk toward the Light; let us walk toward God."

His Eminence expressed his gratitude for the efforts undertaken to restore Holy Protection Church to its rightful owner – the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia. He also presented a Synodal gramota to Anna Brown.

The clergy and parishioners went in a cross procession through the cemetery, the resting place of members of the Cossack community and other Orthodox Christians.

A festal repast was held in the church hall, where the clergy and the faithful laity shared joyful fellowship.