On Monday, September 15, His Eminence Nicholas, Metropolitan of Eastern America & New York, paid an archpastoral visit to Holy Assumption Church in Stafford, VA. Accompanying the First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad was the wonderworking Kursk Root Icon of the Mother of God – the Protectress of the Russian Diaspora.

The Metropolitan was greeted by parish rector Priest John Trepatschko and his family. A moleben was served before the wonderworking icon. His Eminence offered words of support and encouragement, and spoke about how the Mother of God unites us all.

Following the moleben, a dinner was served, after which the First Hierarch departed back to Washington, DC, where he is currently visiting.