On Wednesday the 24th and Thursday the 25th of May, the great feast of the Lord’s Ascension, His Eminence Nicholas, Metropolitan of Eastern America & New York, officiated the hierarchal divine services at Christ the Savior Church in Wayne, WV. The visit of the First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad was timed for the celebrations marking the 20th anniversary of the parish’s founding.

Concelebrating with Metropolitan Nicholas at Divine Liturgy were Priest Jonah Campbell (parish rector), Priest Jan Veselak (parish cleric), Hieromonk Macarius (Ruegemer) and Archdeacon Sergius (Wilson; clerics of neighboring Holy Cross Monastery in Wayne), Protodeacon Jeremiah Davis (parish cleric), Hierodeacon Panteleimon (Jigalin; diocesan cleric), and Deacon Andrew Temple (parish cleric).

The church was beautifully decorated thanks to the work of the sisterhood, and the services were well-attended by many parishioners eager to share in the festivities. A contingent of monks from Holy Cross Monastery also attended to support the parish. The choir sang magnificently under the capable direction of Matushka Margaret Davis.

During the Sixth Hour, Joshua Duncan was tonsured a reader to serve the parish, and Reader Alexey Campbell was awarded the right to wear the orarion.

At the Little Entrance, Fr. Jonah Campbell was elevated to the rank of archpriest and Fr. Jan Veselak was awarded the right to wear the purple skufia.

In his sermon, Metropolitan Nicholas discussed the wonderful example of Christ’s Ascension to Heaven and how each of us is called to ascend with Him, leaving our earthly cares behind.

Fr. Jonah thanked the First Hierarch for his visit and continued support of the parish, and presented him with a unique icon of the Mother of God "of the Sign" with a host of saints of special significance to His Eminence. A copy of this icon was also presented to Fr. Macarius to take back with him to Holy Cross Monastery in honor of the parish’s 20th anniversary.

Upon conclusion of Liturgy, the clergy and faithful went in procession to the parish’s newly acquired building, which will serve to house a conference room, offices, and a Russian Food Store under the auspices of the church’s food pantry. Metropolitan Nicholas blessed the building and dedicated it to Venerable Herman of Alaska. He also gave a brief word on the particular duties of Orthodox Christians in America and stressed the importance of the deep impact of our kindness to strangers and non-Orthodox in our daily interactions as a form of missionary work in our land.

The services were followed by a sumptuous banquet prepared by the parishioners for the occasion of His Eminence’s visit. The luncheon was meticulously decorated to reflect the significance of the feast and the historic significance of the celebration for the parish.