On Saturday the 23rd and Sunday the 24th of September, the afterfeast of the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos and the feast of the Glorification of Blessed Xenia of St. Petersburg (1978), Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York paid an archpastoral visit to St. Xenia Church in Methuen, MA on the occasion of their patronal feast. The parish just completed an extensive addition & renovation project, so it was a doubly blessed visit.

On Saturday evening, His Eminence officiated the All-Night Vigil, co-served by:

• Archpriest Michael Crowley (parish rector)
• Archpriest Victor Boldewskul (rector of Holy Epiphany Church in Boston, MA)
• Archpriest Constantine Desrosiers (parish cleric)
• Priest Photius Zelinski (rector of St. Polycarp Mission in Sanford, ME)
• Priest Alexei Klar (cleric of Holy Dormition Convent "Novo-Diveevo" in Nanuet, NY)
• Priest Peter James (cleric of St. John the Russian Church in Ipswich, MA)
• Protodeacon Serge Arlievsky (cleric of Novo-Diveevo Convent),
• Protodeacon Alexander Jarostchuk (cleric of Holy Epiphany Church) and
• Deacons Alexander Doohovskoy, Dimitri Doohovskoy & John Sarantakis (parish clerics).

On Sunday morning, the First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad celebrated Divine Liturgy, co-served by the aforementioned clergy, with the exception of Fr. Victor and Fr. Peter.

A multitude of parishioners prayed at the divine services, most of whom communed of Christ’s Holy Mysteries at Liturgy. Upon completion of Liturgy, Metropolitan Nicholas, the clergy, and the faithful held a procession around the church, after which the Metropolitan blessed the inside of the renewed temple with holy water.

A banquet was then held on the parish grounds. Nicholas Chaplain and the parish sisterhood once again exceeded expectations in the wonderful repast.

Metropolitan Nicholas was also delighted to watch the young children playing football after the meal, as well as greeting and speaking with many of the faithful. Asking his holy prayers, the parish bid farewell to His Eminence, looking forward to future visits.