EASTERN AMERICAN DIOCESE: 20 April 2026
On Bright Monday, Metropolitan Nicholas officiates at Divine Liturgy at St Alexander Nevsky Cathedral

On Bright Monday, April 13, 2026, His Eminence Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America NS New York, First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, and His Grace Bishop Theodosius of Manhattan paid an archpastoral visit to St Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in Howell, NJ, where they celebrated the Paschal Divine Liturgy. At the entrance into the cathedral, the clergy greeted Bishop Theodosius and subsequently welcomed the wonderworking Kursk Root Icon of the Mother of God, accompanied by Metropolitan Nicholas.

Concelebrating with the hierarchs officiated the service were: Vasily Andrejuk (cathedral cleric), Archpriest Serge Lukianov (cathedral Rector), Archpriest Petre Kruashvili (Rector of St Gregory of Khandzta Georgian Church in Manville, NJ), Archpriest Zoran Radovic (rector of St George Serbian Church in Elizabeth, NJ), Archpriest Leonid Goferman (Rector of the Church of the Intercession in New Brunswick, NJ), Archpriest Serge Ledkovsky, and Archpriest Nikolai Manduke (Deputy Rector and cleric, respectively, of St Vladimir Memorial Church in Jackson, NJ), and Priest Anthony Williams, Paul Drozdowski and Protodeacon Alexandre Sarandinaki, and Deacon Dumitru Lişan (cathedral clerics).

Numerous cathedral parishioners and guests from neighboring churches gathered to pray at the service. Almost all those present communed of Christ’s Holy Mysteries.

The clergy, the faithful, and children – bearing the Kursk Root Icon and other icons – performed the traditional procession around the cathedral.

Afterward, Metropolitan Nicholas addressed the faithful with a sermon, in which he noted, in part, that "the Resurrection represents for us a great hope, that the Lord saves us."

"…We, the Orthodox, worship our God and ask for His help. Regrettably, the rest of the world does not act in this way. Yet let us not be disheartened; let us pray for the salvation of our neighbors and for those who have not yet come to Orthodoxy, asking the Lord to extend His peace to the entire world."

The Metropolitan thanked the clergy for their prayers and noted that the Russian school attached to the cathedral serves to enlighten and guide the children there. He also emphasized that parents, too, must raise their children in the Orthodox Faith and bring them to church; finally, he wished everyone the joy of Pascha – not only during these holy days, but every day of the year.

Fr. Serge warmly thanked the hierarchs for their shared prayers and noted that we have entered a momentous year: "In 1936, the ever-memorable Archbishop Vitaly (Maximenko) founded St. Alexander Nevsky parish… This year, on Saturday, September 12 – the feast day of St. Alexander Nevsky – we will, with God’s help, celebrate the 90th anniversary of our parish in the presence of the wonderworking Kursk Root and Hawaiian Icons of the Mother of God."

Addressing Bishop Theodosius, Fr. Serge expressed his great joy that the Council of Bishops had chosen a new vicar to assist the First Hierarch; he further noted that he had first met Fr. Theodosius in the Holy Land, when His Grace was a hieromonk and he himself was a protodeacon, and they had served together in Jerusalem.

As a token of gratitude, Fr. Serge presented Bishop Theodosius with a panagia bearing an image of the Resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ, and wished His Grace God’s aid in his hierarchal ministry.

In the parish hall, the sisterhood prepared a wonderful Paschal luncheon for the clergy and the faithful.

Outside the cathedral, a festive celebration was organized for the children.

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