On March 12, the second Sunday of Great Lent, His Grace, Bishop Jerome, led the Sacrament of Holy Unction in St. John the Forerunner Cathedral in Brooklyn, NY.

His Grace was co-served by cathedral rector Archpriest Alexander Belya, Abbot Cornelius (Apukhtin; cleric of Nativity of the Mother of God Church at the New Kursk Root Hermitage in Mahopac, NY), Archpriest Vasily Yurina (cathedral cleric), Hieromonk Vladimir (Zgoba; rector of "Unexpected Joy" Church on Staten Island, NY), Priest Nikolai Gulin (cleric of St. Stephen Cathedral OCA in Philadelphia, PA), and parish Deacon Rostislav Zadorozhny.

Prior to the start of the service, Bishop Jerome spoke to the faithful about the meaning and importance for Christians of the Sacrament of Holy Unction.

Many people from across Brooklyn gathered for the service that day. The spiritual joyful state of the faithful was augmented by beautiful singing of the cathedral choir, under the direction of their conductor, Alexander, as well as the presence of the myrrh-streaming Icon of the Mother of God "Softener of Evil Hearts," visiting the Eastern American Diocese from Moscow.

Upon completion of the service, Fr. Alexander thanked Bishop Jerome, the clergy, choir, and laity for their joint prayer.