On Sunday, February 4, when the Holy Church honors the memory of the Synaxis of the Holy New Martyrs & Confessors of Russia, at the request of Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York, Bishop Jerome (Shaw) paid an archpastoral visit to the eponymous church in Brooklyn, NY, where he celebrated Divine Liturgy in honor of its patronal feast day.

After the greeting and vesting of the bishop, His Grace blessed a new icon of the Most Holy Theotokos specially ordered for the church, as well as a special reliquary containing a piece of Cincture (Belt) of the Mother of God from Mount Athos. After the blessing, the reliquary was placed within the icon.

Hours and Divine Liturgy followed. Concelebrating with His Grace were: Archimandrites Gabriel (Pigarev; diocesan cleric) and Stefan (Khilchuk; rector of Our Lady of Pochaev Church in North Port, FL), Archpriests Alexandre Antchoutine (dean of New York City) and Petro Kunitsky (parish cleric), Priest Nikolai Gulin (acting rector of Life-Giving Spring Icon of the Theotokos OCA Mission in Philadelphia, PA), Protodeacon Eugene Kallaur (cleric of St. Seraphim Memorial Church in Sea Cliff, NY), Deacon Eugene Grigoriak (parish cleric), and Hierodeacon Paisius (Alexeevets; UOC cleric).

Hundreds of worshippers filled the church, most of whom received Christ’s Holy Mysteries.

Bishop Jerome delivered a sermon based on the special Prokeimenon: "Our God is refuge and strength, a helper in afflictions which mightily befall us" (Psalm 45).

Upon conclusion of Liturgy, a short moleben was served in the middle of the church.

After the service, a festal luncheon was offered in the parish hall, where the choir sang Russian folk songs. The gathering lasted until well into the afternoon.