On Monday the 20th and Tuesday the 21st of September, the great feast of the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos, Bishop Nicholas of Manhattan paid an archpastoral visit to Nativity of the Mother of God Church in Albany, NY, and officiated the divine services there on the occasion of the parish’s patronal feast day.

On Tuesday morning, His Grace celebrated Divine Liturgy, co-served by Archimandrite Theophylact (Clapper-DeWell; cleric of Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville, NY), Archpriest Michael Fritz (parish cleric), Archpriest Michael Taratuchin (rector of St. John of Kronstadt Memorial Church in Utica, NY), parish rector Archpriest Alexis Duncan, Priest Seraphim Wing (rector of St. Nicholas Church in Edinboro, PA), Hieromonk Anatoly (Zilin; cleric of Holy Trinity Monastery), Protodeacons Alexander Jarostchuk (cleric of Holy Epiphany Church in Boston, MA), Michael Soloviev, and Nikifor Franklin (parish clerics).

Prior to the start of the service, during the reading of the Sixth Hour, Mark Lautenschlager was tonsured a reader.

The service was held under the aegis of the Protectress of the Russian Diaspora ‒ the wonderworking Kursk Root Icon of the Mother of God. The parish choir prayerfully sang the service. Virtually all of the parishioners in attendance for the feast communed of Christ’s Holy Mysteries.

Upon completion of Liturgy, Bishop Nicholas greeted the clergy and faithful with the feast.

A festal luncheon was organized for the clergy and parishioners, during which their interaction continued.