On Saturday the 25th and Sunday the 26th of January, His Eminence Nicholas, Metropolitan of Eastern America & New York, paid an archpastoral visit to Holy Epiphany Church in Roslindale (Boston), MA, where he officiated the divine services. The visit of the First Hierarch is traditionally held the weekend after the parish’s patronal feast – the Theophany of the Lord.

His Eminence officiated the All-Night Vigil, co-served by His Grace Theodosius, Bishop of Seattle, and parish clergy: rector Archpriest Victor Boldewskul, Archpriest Thomas Reske, and Protodeacons Alexander Jarostchuk, Victor Ganson, and Alexander Kurenkov, as well as Protodeacon Eugene Kallaur (cleric of St. Seraphim Memorial Church in Sea Cliff, NY), accompanying the Metropolitan.

The following morning, the First Hierarch celebrated Divine Liturgy. Joining the above-mentioned clergy was Priest Peter James (cleric of St. John the Russian Church in Ipswich, MA). At the Little Entrance, His Eminence awarded Fr. Peter the right to wear the nabedrennik.

The divine services were held under the aegis of the Protectress of the Russian Diaspora – the wonderworking Kursk Root Icon of the Mother of God. The parish choir sang prayerfully under the direction of Subdeacon Nicholas Ganson.

Upon conclusion of Liturgy, Metropolitan Nicholas delivered a sermon in Russian and English on the Lord’s Theophany.

After the service, the sisterhood hosted a banquet at St. John of Damascus Syrian Church hall, where the clergy and parishioners were joined by clergy from other local parishes. The parish school put on a performance, followed by singing from choir members.

Fr. Victor thanked both hierarchs for visiting the parish and for bringing the Kursk Root Icon unto the joy and consolation of the faithful. He noted the importance of the Synodal building in New York City and the need for major renovations. Over $11,000 was collected to benefit these efforts.