On November 19, the 24th Sunday after Pentecost, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York paid an archpastoral visit to St. Nektarios Church in Lenoir City, TN. This visit was timed for the weekend preceding the parish’s patronal feast, which took place on Wednesday, November 22.

His Eminence celebrated Divine Liturgy, co-served by parish rector Archpriest Job Watts, Protodeacon Dimitri Temidis (cleric of St. Elizabeth the New-Martyr Church in Columbia, SC), and Deacons John Hanson (parish cleric), Paul Roudenko (cleric of Three Saints Church in Garfield, NJ), and Peter Epstein (cleric of St. Mary of Egypt Church in Atlanta, GA).

The service was held under the aegis of the Protectress of the Russian Diaspora ‒ the wonderworking Kursk Root Icon of the Mother of God.

Prior to the start of Divine Liturgy, Augustine Reynolds was tonsured a reader. At the Little Entrance, for their zealous service to the Holy Church, Fr. Job was awarded the right to wear the palitsa, and Fr. John was elevated to the rank of protodeacon.

After the Eucharistic Canon, Metropolitan Nicholas ordained Subdeacon Iakovos Brown to the diaconate. The newly ordained Deacon Iakovos will fulfill his service at St. Nektarios Church.

Upon conclusion of Liturgy, a festal meal was served for all those present.