On Wednesday, June 11, the feast of the Holy Hierarch Luke, Confessor of Simferopol, His Grace, Eastern American Diocesan vicar Bishop Nicholas of Manhattan, visited St. Luke the Blessed Surgeon Mission in Coconut Creek, FL, and led the parish’s patronal feast day. In greeting the hierarch, parish rector Priest Demetrio Romeo expressed his sincere thanks for His Grace’s archpastoral love and care. Celebrating the Divine Liturgy, Bishop Nicholas was co-served by Archpriest Daniel McKenzie (rector of St. Vladimir Church in Miami, FL), Hieromonk Alexander (Lisnichuk; cleric of St. Mary of Egypt Church in Atlanta, GA), Fr. Demetrio, and Deacon Thomas Branch (cleric of St. Vladimir Church).

Upon completion of the service, His Grace delivered a short sermon and greeted the parishioners of St. Luke’s Church, as well as the students, teachers, and parents of Paideia Classical Academy on the occasion of their patronal feast. He congratulated and thanked Fr. Demetrio for his dedication and hard work in the church and school.

Bishop Nicholas attended the last day of school at Paideia Academy, and congratulated all of the students, families, teachers, and administrators on a very successful 2014-2015 school year. His Grace gave the commencement speech and awarded diocesan gramatas to Academy director Dr. Paola Weber and Juliana Pamela Latham, Esq. for their many long years of dedication to the Church and their tireless commitment to the only Orthodox school in the state of Florida. Many parents and families expressed their heartfelt thanks to Bishop Nicholas for his visit and pastoral guidance.

An organic luncheon and the Academy’s awards ceremony followed in the grand hall.