On Saturday the 30th and Sunday the 31st of March, the 2nd Sunday of Great Lent, dedicated to the Holy Hierarch Gregory Palamas, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York paid an archpastoral visit to Protection of the Mother of God Church in Rochester, NY, where he officiated the divine services.

His Eminence’s visit was all the more meaningful to the clergy and faithful, because he was accompanied by the wonderworking Kursk Root Icon of the Mother of God. He inspired all with his prayerful composure at the divine services. He addressed those present with inspirational words following the evening Vigil service, in his Sunday homily, and after lunch with a talk in the parish hall.

In his sermon, His Eminence spoke of the importance of prayer in our spiritual journey and especially during Great Lent. In this regard, he related the theology of St. Gregory Palamas, whose memory was celebrated that day and who is so important to our Orthodox Christian understanding of salvation. He also spoke of the very presence, there in church, of the Most Holy Theotokos in her wonderworking Kursk Icon.

Archimandrite Theophylact (Clapper-DeWell), much loved by parishioners, came from Holy Trinity Monastery to serve and share in the celebration. All of the local clergy: rector Archpriest Gregory Naumenko, Protodeacon Andrej Strapko, Deacon Nathan Reff, Hierodeacon Theophan (Jensen), and Deacon Steven Prokopienko, also concelebrated with the Metropolitan.

The choir sang beautifully and prayerfully under the direction of Melanie Reff. Nearly all of the parishioners had properly prepared, and partook of Holy Confession and Holy Communion.

At the end of Divine Liturgy, Metropolitan Nicholas awarded Pavil Pikul, one of thedeputy wardens, a diocesan gramota acknowledging his exceptionally diligent service for God’s Holy Church at the parish.

After the service, the sisterhood prepared a plentiful, tasty Lenten meal for His Eminence and all the worshippers. All the participants of the celebration received great benefit from Metropolitan Nicholas’ visit and the Holy Icon that visited the faithful!

‒ A participant of the celebration