On Monday the 8th and Tuesday the 9th of June, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York paid an archpastoral visit to St. John the Russian Church in Ipswich, MA, where he officiated the divine services on the occasion of the parish’s patronal feast. To the joy and consolation of the faithful, accompanying His Eminence was the wonderworking Kursk Root Icon of the Mother of God, which remained in the church during the services for all to pray before and venerate.

The First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad led the All-Night Vigil on Monday evening, co-served by His Grace, Eastern American Diocesan vicar Bishop Michael of Boston, Priest Alexei Klar (cleric of St. Xenia Church in Methuen, MA), Protodeacon Serge Arlievsky (cleric of the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City), and parish Deacon Matthew LaVita.

Following Vigil, the sisterhood prepared a meal for those in attendance, which all enjoyed.

The following morning, the Metropolitan was greeted at the entrance of the church. He celebrated the beautiful Divine Liturgy, joined by Bishop Michael, parish rector Archpriest Spyridon Schneider, Archpriest Victor Boldewskul (rector of Holy Epiphany Church in Roslindale, MA), Fr. Serge Arlievsky, Deacon Dimitry Doohovskoy (cleric of St. Xenia Church), and Fr. Matthew LaVita.

At the reading of the hours, parish Reader James Joyce was ordained a subdeacon. After the Eucharistic Canon, he was ordained to the diaconate. The newly ordained Deacon James will fulfill his service in St. John the Russian Church.

At the conclusion of Liturgy, the priests and servers, choir and parishioners processed to the church well yard, where the Metropolitan blessed the water and all those in attendance. The choir sang the canon to St. John the Russian while they processed back into the church.

The First Hierarch greeted the people and shared his congratulations to the parish on their feast day, to Fr. Spyridon, and all of those who serve the community. His Eminence then delivered a message emphasizing the importance of unity, stating that, though we come from different parishes, we are one Church and one family and we are working together for the purpose of our salvation.

The sisterhood prepared a beautiful lenten meal, featuring fish caught fresh off the early morning local docks. Parishioners and visitors shared in the joy of the feast as they visited with one another in the parish hall and yard.