On Bright Monday, May 6, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York paid an archpastoral visit to St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in Howell, NJ, where he celebrated Divine Liturgy. Upon entering the cathedral, His Eminence was greeted by the rector, Archpriest Serge Lukianov. He recalled how the future Metropolitan studied at the cathedral’s Russian school, and underscored how this church and its builder – the ever-memorable Protopresbyter Valery Lukianov – played a major role in his life.

Of joy to the clergy and faithful was a visit on this day by the Protectress of the Russian Diaspora – the wonderworking Kursk Root Icon of the Mother of God.

Concelebrating with the First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad at Liturgy were: Fr. Serge Lukianov, Archpriests Vasily Andrejuk, Luka Novakovic, Boris Slootsky (cathedral cleric), Leonid Goferman (rector of Holy Virgin Protection Church in New Brunswick, NJ), and Serge Ledkovsky (deputy rector of St. Vladimir Memorial Church in Jackson, NJ), and Priest Anthony Williams, Protodeacon Paul Drozdowski, and Deacons Alexandre Sarandinaki and Dimitry Lisan (cathedral clerics).

A multitude of cathedral parishioners and guests from neighboring churches came to pray at the divine service. Virtually all those present communed of Christ’s Holy Mysteries.

Upon completion of the service, Metropolitan Nicholas greeted all with the feast and called on them to always remember that Christ is with us, Who overcame the world, and "if the risen Christ, Who has been victorious in all things, will be with us in our lives, then we, too, can overcome all things and establish the needed peace in our lives and in the life of the Church – for the benefit of the whole world."

Fr. Serge sincerely thanked the First Hierarch for his shared liturgical service.

The traditional procession was held by the clergy, faithful, and children bearing holy icons. A children’s holiday was then held for the youngest parishioners.

The sisterhood organized a wonderful Paschal luncheon in the parish hall for the clergy and faithful.