On Monday, September 17, the sole church in the entire vast Eastern American Diocese dedicated to the Holy Hierarch Joasaph of Belgorod in Brooklyn, NY celebrated its patronal feast day and the fifth anniversary of its founding with festal divine services. 

During the hierarchal Divine Liturgy, the First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad, Metropolitan Hilarion of Eastern America & New York, was co-served by Archpriest Serge Lukianov (diocesan secretary), Archpriest Boris Oparin (parish rector), Abbot Tikhon (Gayfudinov; abbot of Holy Protection Skete in Buena, NJ), Priest George Kaplanov and Protodeacon Leonid Roschko (clerics of St. Alexander Nevsky Diocesan Cathedral in Howell, NJ). 

A male choir delighted all with their singing at the divine services.

After Liturgy, a festal meal was prepared by the sisterhood, where warm congratulatory messages were exchanged in the parish refectory. The rector presented a video montage dedicated to the fifth anniversary of the parish. At its conclusion, it received much acclaim and Metropolitan Hilarion thanked Fr. Boris for its creation. 

The feast proceeded in prayer and Christian love, and the faithful did not leave for home until late in the day.