On October 25, the Sunday the Fathers of the Seventh Ecumenical Council, His Grace, Eastern American Diocesan vicar Bishop Nicholas of Manhattan, paid an archpastoral visit to Holy Fathers Church in New York City, where he celebrated Divine Liturgy on the occasion of the parish’s patronal feast day.

Concelebrating with His Grace at Liturgy were parish rector Archpriest Alexander Botschagow and Protodeacon Dimitri Temidis (cleric of Holy Virgin Protection Church in Nyack, NY). The choir sang prayerfully under the direction of Anastasia "Nancy" Neubauer.

In light of ongoing pandemic lockdown restrictions, parishioners maintained social distance and other sanitary norms, giving thanks to God that the service took place. Most communed of Christ’s Holy Mysteries.

Bishop Nicholas delivered a sermon on the Seventh Ecumenical Council in particular and the Seven Councils in general, speaking about the establishment of Church canons and traditions, which he called a "great gift given to us by the Holy Fathers of the Councils."

"The Holy Fathers taught us how rightly to believe, to honor the Holy Trinity and the Mother of God, and to pray to all the saints," he said. "Our duty is to follow the teaching of the Church, especially in this time and in this country, and to be good Christians, honest and upright people."

Upon conclusion of the service, His Grace greeted parishioners and congratulated them on the occasion of their parish feast. He congratulated Subdeacon Lazar Djurdjinovic on the 40th anniversary of his ordination to the rank of subdeacon, and noted the special obedience given him by Metropolitan Philaret, to clean the riza of the wonderworking Kursk Root Icon twice a year: for Pascha and for its patronal feast day, December 10.

Bishop Nicholas also thanked Subdeacons George Schatiloff and Victor Schmidt and others for their diligent labors in restoring the church’s façade over the past year.