On Sunday, February 6, the feast of the Synaxis of the Holy New Martyrs & Confessors of the Russian Church, His Grace, Eastern American Diocesan vicar Bishop Nicholas of Manhattan, celebrated Divine Liturgy in St. Luke the Blessed Surgeon Church in Pompano Beach, FL, co-served by vicars of the Kiev Metropolia: Bishops Victor of Baryshevka and Dionysius of Pereyaslav-Khmelnitsky (Ukrainian Orthodox Church).

Concelebrating with the hierarchs were: Abbot Arseny (Manko; acting rector), Archpriest Vladmir Tereschuk (rector of Sts. Cosmas & Damian of Rome Church in Kiev, dean of the Obolon Deanery), Archpriest Serge Prisacaru (diocesan cleric), Priest Mykhailo Mykhailenko (cleric of St. Vladimir Church in Miami, FL), Protodeacon Eugene Kallaur (cleric of St. Seraphim Memorial Church in Sea Cliff, NY), and Deacon Nicholas Lochmatow (cleric of Holy Protection Diocesan Cathedral in Des Plaines, IL).

Singing at the divine services was the combined choir of the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign, under the direction of conductor Vadim S. Gan, and the parish choir of St. Luke the Blessed Surgeon, under the direction of Katherine Lukianov.

Upon completion of the service, a parish fundraising festival was held to benefit the construction of a new Russian-style church and cultural center in South Florida, as well as a luncheon in which over 100 people took part: hierarchs, clergy, parishioners, and guests.

At 2 o’clock, the joint Synodal and parish choir performed a concert of spiritual hymns, attended by a large audience.

Those present thanked Bishop Nicholas for his unfailing spiritual care for the church, for his prayers, and for the frequent opportunity to interact with him. In turn, His Grace offered words of support to the visitors from Ukraine, as well as a word of instruction and an appeal to the faithful to be more active in their participation in parish life.

The clergy and parishioners thanked Bishop Nicholas, as well as parish benefactor and warden Alexis Lukianov for organizing the wonderful parish fundraiser event.