On July 26 – the 8th Sunday after Pentecost and the commemoration of the Holy Fathers of the First Six Ecumenical Councils – the annual St. Vladimir’s Day celebrations took place at St. Vladimir Memorial Church in Jackson, NJ. The church was filled with participants; diocesan clergy and faithful from various states gathered for the feast. Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York officiated the annual celebrations and celebrated Divine Liturgy, co-served by Bishop Jerome (Shaw).

Concelebrating with the hierarchs were:

• Archpriest Vasily Andrejuk (cleric of St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in Howell, NJ)
• Archpriest Ljubo Milosevic (rector of Holy Trinity Church in Vineland, NJ)
• Archpriest Serge Ledkovsky (deputy rector of the Memorial Church)
• Archpriest Nikolai Manduke (Memorial Church cleric)
• Priest Anatoly Revitskyy (diocesan cleric)
• Protodeacon Paul Drozdowski (cleric of St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral), and
• Deacon Rostislav Wojtenko (Memorial Church cleric).

A combined choir from the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign and the local parish sang during the service under the direction of conductor Vadim S. Gan.

Liturgy 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 feast and addressed those gathered with a sermon, in which he said, in part:

"An Orthodox Christian strives for the highest form of service: service to God and to the people. These are the precepts handed down to us by the one who baptized our nation – the Equal-of-the-Apostles Great Prince Vladimir. He himself came to this True Faith: he found enlightenment, repented, was baptized, and lived for God and for the people. Can we say the same of ourselves? This is something to reflect upon."

Metropolitan Nicholas touched on the Gospel reading from Matthew concerning the feeding of five thousand men – along with women and children – with five loaves and two fishes.

"It should be noted that, before the Lord God performed this miracle, He looked upon the people and was moved with pity for them, showing compassionate love toward them. Even today, the Lord cares deeply for each of us; He ceaselessly shows compassionate love and gives Himself to us. Yet we do not hear, we do not see, and we do not accept. How sad that is. But there is always an opportunity to recall the precepts of God Himself, of Prince Vladimir, and of the Holy New Martyrs, and to dedicate one’s life, soul, and mind to God, to the service of the Holy Church and the Orthodox Faith, and to one’s fellow man."

His Eminence urged everyone to come to the church built by their ancestors and to continue their missionary path – enlightening others through kind words, a Christian example, and their own lives.

The Metropolitan thanked Bishop Jerome for his many years of devoted service to the Church and noted that this memorial church held a special place in his heart. Fifty years ago, Bishop Jerome was ordained to the priesthood here by Archbishop Nikon (Rklitsky; +1976). Metropolitan Nicholas congratulated him and wished him strength for his continued episcopal ministry to the Holy Church.

The clergy and the faithful took part in a religious procession around the church. In keeping with tradition, the blessing of the water was performed.

The festal day concluded with a meal hosted for the clergy and laity.

Participants in the celebrations also had the opportunity to dine outdoors, where they were offered shish kebab, savory pastries, and sweets. At the same location, attendees could purchase books, traditional clothing, and church items.