EASTERN AMERICAN DIOCESE: 28 April 2025
Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America and New York and Bishop Clement concelebrate Divine Liturgy in New Jersey

On Bright Monday, April 21, 2025, His Eminence Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America and New York, First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, paid an archpastoral visit to St Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in Howell, NJ, where he celebrated Divine Liturgy. Upon entering the cathedral, His Eminence was greeted by rector Archpriest Serge Lukianov.

Accompanying the metropolitan was the Protectress of the Russian Diaspora – the wonderworking Kursk Root Icon of the Mother of God ‒ which brought special joy to the clergy and faithful of the cathedral.

At Liturgy, the First Hierarch was joined by His Grace Bishop Kliment of Levski (vicar of the Bulgarian Diocese in the USA, Canada and Australia), as well as Fr. Serge and parish and diocesan clergy: Archpriest Vasily Andrejuk (cathedral cleric), Archpriest Vasily Zelenyuk (Rector of Our Lady "Unexpected Joy" Church in Staten Island, NY), Archpriest Zoran Radovic (rector of St George Serbian Church in Elizabeth, NJ), Archpriest Leonid Goferman (Rector of Holy 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), Priest Anthony Williams, Protodeacon Paul Drozdowski, and Deacon Alexandre Sarandinaki and Deacon Dimitri Lisan (cathedral clerics).

Numerous parishioners of the cathedral and guests from neighboring churches gathered to pray during the service. Almost all those present received Christ’s Holy Mysteries.

Before the service began, Fr Serge presented Metropolitan Nicholas with a panagia and cross set.

For their service to the Holy Church and their labors in the parish, the following clergy and altar servers were awarded: Priest Anthony Williams was awarded the right to wear the gold pectoral cross, Deacon Alexandre Sarandinaki was elevated to the rank of protodeacon, Reader Alexander Kallaur was ordained a subdeacon, and acolyte Stelian Lisan was awarded the right to wear the orarion. It is noteworthy that the gold cross Fr Anthony was awarded had previously belonged to the first rector of the cathedral, the late Protopresbyter Valery Lukyanov, as well as to Fr Serge himself.

At the end of the service, the clergy, faithful, and children walked in a procession around the cathedral carrying holy icons.

Metropolitan Nicholas congratulated everyone on the feast of the Holy Resurrection of Christ and greeted Bishop Kliment , expressing hope for further liturgical fellowship. His Eminence also thanked Fr Serge for the warm welcome and joint prayer.

Fr. Serge cordially thanked the hierarchs for their service. In memory of the visit, Fr. Serge presented Bishop Kliment with a cross and panagia.

In the parish hall, the sisterhood prepared a wonderful Paschal meal for the clergy and parishioners.

On the same day, an egg hunt was organized for the children.

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