On Wednesday the 11th and Thursday the 12th of September, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York, First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad, paid archpastoral visits to St. Innocent of Alaska Mission in Bucksport, ME and St. Alexander Nevsky Memorial Church in Richmond, ME.

On Wednesday morning, Divine Liturgy was celebrated at St. Innocent Mission for the feast of the Beheading of St. John the Baptist. Archpriest Chad Williams (rector of the mission and the memorial church) celebrated Liturgy, co-served by Deacons Joseph and Christopher Kimball. After the service, Metropolitan Nicholas blessed the newly acquired church building, and all enjoyed a delicious meal prepared by mission attendees.

That evening, the First Hierarch officiated the All-Night Vigil at St. Alexander Nevsky Church, co-served by local clergy: Fr. Chad Williams, Archpriest Andrei Rudenko, Protodeacon Gregory Petrochko, Frs. Joseph and Christopher Kimball. Also serving were: Archpriest Michael Crowley (dean of New England), Priests Nathan Williams (chaplain of Paideia Classical Academy in Coconut Creek, FL), Ephraim Willmarth (cleric of St. John of Kronstadt Memorial Church in Utica, NY), Abraham Fortier (rector of Holy Archangels Western Rite Church in Waterville, ME), and Justin Slaughter Doty (rector of St. Euphemia Antiochian Chapel in Rockland, ME).

On Thursday morning, His Eminence celebrated Liturgy, co-served by the above-mentioned clergy, with the exception of Fr. Abraham. They were joined by Priest Peter James (cleric of St. John the Russian Church in Ipswich, MA). Also praying in church was Fr. Anastasios Bendo (rector of Holy Trinity Greek Church in Lewiston, ME).

Prior to the start of Liturgy, Peter Kucharski was tonsured a reader and then ordained a subdeacon to serve at St. Alexander Nevsky Church. Patrick (Shane) Kavin was also ordained subdeacon to serve at Holy Archangels Mission in Caribou, ME. Parish acolyte Martin Kucharski was awarded the right to wear the orarion.

At the Little Entrance, for nearly 40 years of service as a priest, Fr. Chad was awarded the right to wear the miter. Fr. Nathan was awarded the kamilavka and gold cross.

After the Eucharistic Canon, Metropolitan Nicholas ordained Subdeacon James Parsons to the diaconate. The newly ordained Deacon James will fulfill his service at St. Alexander Church and St. Innocent Mission.

The parish choir sang beautifully under the direction of Fr. Nathan at Vigil and under the direction of Matushka Cindy Williams at Liturgy.

Upon conclusion of Liturgy, Matushka Martha Kimball (wife of Fr. Joseph) was presented with a diocesan gramota acclaiming her many years of warmhearted and dedicated service at the candle desk and in the parish sisterhood.

A festal meal following the service was held, with nearly 100 clergy and guests in attendance.