On Sunday the 18th and Monday the 19th of August, the great feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord, His Grace, Bishop Jerome (Shaw), officiated the divine services in Nativity of the Mother of God Church at the New Kursk Root Hermitage in Mahopac, NY.

On Sunday morning, Divine Liturgy was celebrated for the 8th Sunday after Pentecost and the Forefeast of the Transfiguration. Bishop Jerome delivered a sermon on the Epistle reading and the question "Is Christ divided?", touching on the error of those who speak of "the Flock of Peter," as well as those who say, "I am of Luther," or "I am of Calvin…" These follow not the Apostles, but teachers of error.

Following the usual fellowship luncheon, a well-attended, early All-Night Vigil was served for the feast. Parish clergy joined His Grace at the divine services: Archpriest George Temidis (rector) and Deacons Konstantin Aleshin and Theodotus Conrad.

The festal hierarchal Divine Liturgy was celebrated on Monday morning, followed by the traditional blessing of the new grapes and other fruit: in this, the Church celebrates the true power of the Holy Spirit, the Giver of Life, Who transfigures the seeds into ripe foods, and us into Christians.

Again, a luncheon followed the service, featuring lenten dishes and the newly blest fruits of the earth.