From Friday the 13th through Sunday the 15th of October, Holy Virgin Protection Church in Nyack, NY celebrated its patronal feast, blessed by the presence of His Eminence, Metropolitan Nicholas, and His Grace, Bishop Jerome (Shaw), along with a host of visiting clergy and pilgrims taking advantage of this year’s weekend celebrations.

On Friday, October 13, His Grace, Bishop Jerome (Shaw), officiated the All-Night Vigil. Serving alongside him were: Archpriests Elias Gorsky (parish rector), Serafim Gan (rector of St. Seraphim Memorial Church in Sea Cliff, NY), Alexander Botschagow (rector of Holy Fathers Church in New York, NY), and George Temidis (secretary of the diocesan administration), Priest Andrew Podymow (parish cleric), Protodeacons Dimitri Temidis (diocesan cleric) and Serge Arlievsky (cleric of Holy Dormition Convent "Novo-Diveevo" in Nanuet, NY), and Deacon Alexey Pnev (cleric of Nativity of the Mother of God Church at the New Kursk Root Hermitage in Mahopac, NY).

On Saturday, October 14, the day of the feast of the Protection of the Most Holy Theotokos, the First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York, arrived at Holy Protection Church from the Synodal Cathedral to celebrate the parish’s patronal feast, greeted by the peal of bells.

Concelebrating at Divine Liturgy with His Eminence were Bishop Jerome (Shaw), the aforementioned clergy except for Fr. Serafim, and: Archpriest Dimitri Jakimowicz (rector of St. Nicholas Church in Stratford, CT), Protodeacon Eugene Kallaur (cleric of St. Seraphim Memorial Church in Sea Cliff, NY),  Hierodeacon Panteleimon (Jigalin; diocesan cleric), and Deacon Theodotus Conrad (cleric of the New Kursk Root Hermitage). Rector emeritus Archpriest George Larin prayed and communed in the altar.

The choir, led by Subdeacon Victor Gonchar, sang beautifully, adorning the services with spiritual splendor.

During the Hours, long-time parishioners John Lopuchin and John Ponomarev were tonsured readers; Reader Matthew Winward was ordained a subdeacon. All will continue to serve the Nyack parish. At the Little Entrance, Priest Andrew Podymow was awarded the right to wear the gold cross for his service to the Church and parish.

Bishop Jerome delivered the sermon right before Communion. In English, he spoke about properly venerating the Theotokos, rejoicing in her spiritual joy, as our faith is one of rejoicing for God’s Grace. In Russian, his Grace spoke of the significance of the feast in Russian tradition, and the importance of the intercession of the Theotokos for all Christians suffering persecution, especially in our age today.

A short moleben was served to the Theotokos. Following, Metropolitan Nicholas greeted and congratulated the rector, the parish, and all attending with the feast, noting that this was also the namesday of Archimandrite Roman (Krassovsky), the head of ROCOR’s Ecclesiastical Mission in Jerusalem; he asked all to pray for him and the Holy Land, given the difficult times they are experiencing right now. After, the singing of Many Years, His Eminence congratulated Fr. Elias, who is celebrating 40 years of serving the Church since his diaconal ordination this year, and presented him with a jeweled cross commemorating ROCOR’s 100th Anniversary. In return, given that this was the first Liturgy that His Eminence served at Nyack since his elevation to First Hierarch, Fr. Elias presented him from the parish two gifts: a collapsible hierarchal staff for travel, and a new miter cross.

The Sisterhood prepared a lavish meal for all in the adjoining hall, which was filled to capacity, with everyone wishing to continue to share the spiritual joy of the feast.

On Sunday, October 15, with the blessing and suggestion of His Eminence, Metropolitan Nicholas, due to the poor weather on the actual feast, the parish held a procession after the Liturgy in the bright sunlight and cool fall weather. Again, the church was full of parishioners and visitors for the Sunday Liturgy, and all were invited to join another luncheon prepared by the sisterhood. All were joyful at this occurrence, a two-day celebration of this great feast for the parish.