On Thursday the 18th and Friday the 19th of December, the feast of the Holy Hierarch Nicholas, Archbishop of Myra in Lycia, the Wonderworker, His Grace, Eastern American Diocesan vicar Bishop Luke of Syracuse, paid an archpastoral visit to the eponymous church in Stratford, CT, where he officiated the divine services on the occasion of the parish's patronal feast.

Serving alongside the diocesan vicar was His Grace, Bishop Jerome (Shaw), Archpriests Serge Lukianov (dean of New Jersey) and Dimitri Jakimowicz (parish rector), Protodeacon Paul Drozdowski (cleric of St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in Howell, NJ), and Deacon David Dutkanicz (parish cleric).

The choir sang beautifully under the direction of Matushka Mary Dutkanicz.

The church was filled with worshippers, who came to honor their Heavenly patron. Their prayer was aided by 44 beautiful icons painted in the arches under the church dome - a recently completed project by Fr. Paul.

At Liturgy on Friday morning, Bishop Luke delivered the sermon on the life and spiritual labors of St. Nicholas. Liturgy was followed by a moleben to St. Nicholas, with a prayer to the holy hierarch.

After Liturgy, a luncheon was held in the parish hall.