On Sunday morning, December 13, the feast of the Holy Apostle Andrew the First-Called, His Grace, Bishop Jerome, celebrated Divine Liturgy in St. Nicholas Church in Stratford, CT. Bishop Jerome was co-served by parish clergy: rector Archpriest George Lardas and Deacon Paul Giatas, joined by Priest George Temidis and Deacon Alexey Pnev – clerics of the Nativity of the Mother of God Church at the New Kursk Root Hermitage in Mahopac, NY, accompanying His Grace.

The parish choir was joined by a male quartet from St. Petersburg, Russia.

At the Little Entrance, with the blessing of His Eminence, Metropolitan Hilarion, Fr. Paul Giatas was elevated to the rank of protodeacon.

Bishop Jerome delivered two sermons: in English, on the Gospel reading for the feast of the Holy Apostle Andrew; and a second in Russian, in honor of the parish’s upcoming patronal feast day, relating to the event in the ministry of the Holy Hierarch Nicholas when, at the First Ecumenical Council, he slapped the heretic Arius for denying the Divinity of Christ and the mystery of the Holy Trinity.

Upon completion of the Liturgy, a short moleben was served, during which the new iconography in the vaulting of the church – depicting the Four Evangelists – was blessed.

The luncheon in the lower hall of the church was the parish’s annual "fish fry," after which the Dutkanicz family hosted a reception at their home in honor of the feast.