On Bright Saturday, April 18, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York paid an archpastoral visit to St. Vladimir Memorial Church in Jackson, NJ, where he celebrated the Paschal Divine Liturgy. At the entrance to the Memorial Church, dedicated to the Millennium of the Baptism of Rus’, the First Hierarch was greeted by deputy rector Archpriest Serge Ledkovsky.

Concelebrating with His Eminence were: Archpriests Vasily Andrejuk (cleric of St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in Howell, NJ), Serge Lukianov (dean of New Jersey), Paul Ivanov (rector of Holy Myrrhbearers Church in Brooklyn, NY), Leonid Goferman (rector of Holy Virgin Protection Church in New Brunswick, NJ), Seraphim Chemodakov (cleric of the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City), Serge Ledkovsky, and Nikolai Manduke (cleric of the Memorial Church); Priest Anthony Williams (cleric of St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral); Protodeacons Leonid Roschko (cleric of the Memorial Church), Paul Drozdowski, and Alexandre Sarandinaki; and Deacon Dumitru Lişan (clerics of St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral).

The parish choir sang beautifully at Liturgy.

The divine service was held under the aegis of the Protectress of the Russian Diaspora – the wonderworking Kursk Root Icon of the Mother of God.

Upon conclusion of Liturgy, Metropolitan Nicholas greeted all with the radiant feast of Christ’s Resurrection. Afterward, the clergy and numerous faithful held a cross procession around the church.

The Metropolitan performed the traditional blessing of the Artos, which was then broken and distributed to the faithful.

In the church hall, the sisterhood hosted a Paschal luncheon for the clergy, parishioners, and guests.