On Wednesday, November 6, when the Holy Church honors the feast of the icon of the Mother of God "Joy of All Who Sorrow," Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York paid an archpastoral visit to Joy of All Who Sorrow Church in Philadelphia, PA, where he celebrated Divine Liturgy in honor of the parish’s patronal feast.

Concelebrating with the First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad were: Archpriest Serge Lukianov (dean of New Jersey), Archpriest Ljubo Milosevic (rector of Holy Trinity Church in Vineland, NJ), Archpriest Valery Sukholobov (parish rector), Priest Gabriel Souza (cleric of St. Vladimir Memorial Church in Jackson, NJ), Protodeacon Paul Drozdowski (cleric of St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in Howell, NJ), and Deacon Stephanos Bibas (parish cleric).

The parish choir sang the divine services. A multitude of parishioners came to church to honor the Most Holy Theotokos in her icon "Joy of All Who Sorrow."

At the Little Entrance, for his dedicated service to the Holy Church and his labors in the parish, Fr. Stephanos was awarded the right to wear the double orarion.

Many parishioners and guests communed of Christ’s Holy Mysteries.

His Eminence and the clergy served a short moleben to the Most Holy Theotokos.

Upon conclusion of Liturgy, Metropolitan Nicholas greeted Fr. Valery and all of the parishioners with their patronal feast, and thanked the concelebrating clergy for their joint prayers. In his sermon, he spoke about the history of the icon "Joy of All Who Sorrow" and called on the faithful to turn more often to the Mother of God in prayer.

On behalf of the parish, iconographer Elena Neigum presented Metropolitan Nicholas a hand-painted icon of the Holy Hierarch Nicholas of Japan – His Eminence’s Heavenly patron.

After the service, a festal luncheon was held in the parish hall for the clergy and faithful, during which the parish youth performed, and members of an art collective presented the Metropolitan with a painting entitled "Cherubim."