On Saturday evening, June 20, His Grace, Eastern American Diocesan vicar Bishop Nicholas of Manhattan, led the All-Night Vigil in memory of the Translation of the Relics of the Holy Great-Martyr Theodore Stratelates – the patronal feast day of the Church of Sts. Theodore Tyro & Theodore Stratelates in Buffalo (Williamsville), NY; and on Sunday morning, June 21, celebrated the Divine Liturgy. His Grace was co-served by parish rector Priest John Boddecker, Priest Seraphim Wing (rector of St. Nicholas Church in Edinboro, PA – Vigil only), and Deacons Andrew Hammond (parish cleric) and Nikifor Franklin (cleric of Protection of the Mother of God Church in Rochester, NY). The parish choir beautifully sang the services under the direction of choir conductor Justin Kawa.

Sts. Theodore parish is primarily English-speaking, although some parishioners are Russian-speaking émigrés from Russia and the CIS nations, so His Grace served in both English and Church Slavonic. Many of the faithful came to honor the memory of St. Theodore Stratelates and pray at a hierarchal Liturgy, and communed of Christ’s Holy Mysteries. Bishop Nicholas and concelebrating clergy served a short moleben before an icon of the saint, after which His Grace congratulated the faithful on the occasion of their patronal feast day and delivered a sermon in Russian and English. The hierarch spoke about the life and struggles of the Holy Great-Martyr Theodore, who led many to Christ through his life’s example. His Grace drew parishioners’ attention to the importance not only of knowing one’s Faith, but also living in a manner befitting an Orthodox Christian: "The best preaching of the Gospel is our pious life. People around us notice – imperceptibly for us – how we live, how we pray, how we fast, how we greet one another; through our life’s example, we can bring them to the Orthodox Faith. The Lord gave us His saints to emulate, luminaries who glorified God and defeated sin through their teachings and example; we must emulate the saints, who suffered for Christ."

Upon completion of the service, in the newly renovated parish hall, a festal lenten luncheon was prepared and served by the parish sisterhood, led by Anne Riszko.

The patronal feast day was not Bishop Nicholas’ first visit to Sts. Theodore Church. He accompanied the ever-memorable Metropolitan Laurus here, and later, in the rank of deacon, co-served with the current First Hierarch – Metropolitan Hilarion of Eastern America & New York. This year, His Grace prayed here and interacted with the clergy and faithful for the first time in his new, hierarchal rank. He noted with satisfaction the renovations that had been made to the parish hall since his last visit, wished the rector and parishioners God’s aid in their efforts to construct a church hall for those who seek God and the true Faith, and called on them to gather in the church for prayer, interact with one another, and live as a united family in Christ.

During the luncheon, Matushka Katherine Boddecker led the children in singing a song about the joy of Christ’s Resurrection, which they had all learned while attending the parish school.

Fr. John thanked Bishop Nicholas for visiting the parish and for their joint prayer on the parish’s feast day. He congratulated concelebrating clergy on the occasion of Father’s Day, and made special note of what a joy and blessing it was to serve with one of the Fathers of the Church – the bishop – on a day when our society at large celebrates and honors our fathers.