On Saturday the 1st and Sunday the 2nd of November, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York paid an archpastoral visit to Dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church in McKeesport, PA, where he officiated the divine services on the 50th anniversary of the consecration of the current church edifice.

On Saturday evening, His Eminence officiated the All-Night Vigil. Concelebrating with Metropolitan Nicholas were Archpriest Dimitri Ermakov (parish rector); Hieromonk Alexei (Alexiev; cleric of the Mid-American Diocese), Priest Joseph Romanchak (rector of St Basil the Great Church in Belle Vernon, PA), Protodeacon Andrei Garine, and Deacon Andrew Temple (parish clerics).

The following morning, Metropolitan Nicholas was met with the traditional bread and salt by parish warden Ron Demay. Joining the aforementioned clergy at Divine Liturgy was Abbot German (Ciuba; cleric of Nativity of Christ Old Rite Church in Erie, PA), Archpriest Andrew Nelko (cleric of St. Alexander Nevsky OCA Cathedral in Pittsburgh, PA), and Archpriest Emilian Hutnyan (cleric of St. Theodosius OCA Cathedral in Cleveland, OH). Also praying in the altar was Archpriest Michael Hatrak (cleric of St. Alexander Nevsky OCA Cathedral).

During the Little Entrance, Protodeacon Andrei Garine was awarded the right to wear the kamilavka and Deacon Andrew Temple was elevated to the rank of protodeacon.

The choir sang prayerfully under the direction of Nicholas Kloszewski. Many of the faithful received Christ’s Holy Mysteries.

Upon conclusion of Liturgy, a Synodal gramota was presented to Marion Temple for her lifelong service and dedication to this parish and Christ’s Holy Church.

Following the divine services, a grand banquet was held at the Georgetown Center in nearby Pleasant Hills.

During the banquet, parish council member Stephen Tomkowitz spoke about the parish’s 108-year history, giving special attention to the construction and consecration of the present church, which was consecrated on November 2, 1975. A video was shown throughout the afternoon using original home videos from the 1970s, showing the demolition of the old church and construction and consecration of the new church. Also at the dinner, a beautiful hand cross from Jerusalem was given to the parish from Priest Nathaniel Sorochka and the parishioners of St. John the Baptist Cathedral in Mayfield, PA in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the church’s consecration

At the conclusion of the banquet, a monetary gift was given to Metropolitan Nicholas, which is to be used for the restoration of the Synodal Headquarters in New York City. This gift was collected through a special collection in the parish in the month of October.

After the formal program was completed, many parishioners remained to greet Metropolitan Nicholas and fellowship. The following day, Metropolitan Nicholas returned to New York City.