On January 3, the Saturday before the Nativity of Christ, His Eminence Nicholas, Metropolitan of Eastern America & New York, visited Holy Protection Church in Buena, NJ, where he led the reading of the Akathist to the Kursk Root Icon of the Mother of God in Slavonic and English.

Serving alongside the First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad and rector of Holy Protection Church were: Archpriests Serge Lukianov (Dean of New Jersey), Luka Novakovic (cleric of Holy Trinity Church in Vineland, NJ), Serge Ledkovsky (deputy rector of St. Vladimir Memorial Church in Jackson, NJ), and George Temidis (secretary of the diocesan administration), as well as Protodeacon Serge Ohotin (parish cleric and warden).

During the reading of the Akathist, Archpriest Ljubo Milosevic (rector of Holy Trinity Church) and Archpriest Gregory Winsky (rector of St. Michael Church in Philadelphia, PA) also prayed in the church.

Numerous parishioners of Holy Trinity Church in Vineland and believers from other churches in New Jersey prayed during the reading of the Akathist. After the reading, Metropolitan Nicholas anointed everyone with holy myrrh.

His Eminence noted that we pray before the Kursk Root Icon of the Mother of God, who continues to lead us to her Son – Jesus Christ, and to protect this church – a place where we can pray, gather together, and become spiritually stronger and more humble. He thanked the priests for coming to the church to pray and to begin the new year with prayer, mutual understanding, and love for God and His Mother.

The faithful received a booklet with the akathist hymn as a gift.

A light lenten meal was arranged in the church hall, where the clergy and laity continued their fraternal interaction.