EASTERN AMERICAN DIOCESE: 5 June 2026
The First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad celebrates Pentecost in South Carolina

On May 30-31, 2026, the great feast of the Descent of the Holy Spirit (Pentecost), His Eminence Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America and New York paid an archpastoral visit to Holy Trinity Church in Mebane, NC, where he officiated the divine services on the occasion of the parish’s patronal feast.

On Saturday evening, His Eminence led the festal all-night vigil, co-served by parish rector Priest Peter Markevich and Protodeacon Dimitri Temidis (cleric of St Elizabeth the New-Martyr Church in Columbia, SC).

On Sunday morning, the First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad celebrated Divine Liturgy with Great Vespers and the reading of the Kneeling Prayers. Metropolitan Nicholas was joined by the aforementioned clergy, with the addition of Protodeacon Dionisy Lvov (cleric of Our Lady "The Inexhaustible Chalice" Church in Brooklyn, NY).

Upon conclusion of the service, His Eminence delivered a sermon on the feast and congratulated the clergy and parishioners with their patronal feast. He especially noted the quality improvements to the temple since his last visit, most notably the installation of a new iconostasis and construction of the solea.

He then awarded a diocesan gramota to parishioner Lubov Vanyashina for her labors in the sisterhood and adornment of the church exterior.

A luncheon was held afterwards where parishioners were able to continue interaction with their ruling hierarch.

On Monday, June 1, the feast day of the Holy Spirit, Metropolitan Nicholas once again celebrated Liturgy in Holy Trinity Church.

His Eminence was concelebrated by local and visiting clergy

Praying in church were Archpriest Alexander Logunov and Deacon Ivan Makarow (rector and cleric, respectively, of Reigning Icon of the Mother of God Church in Charlotte, NC).

At the Sixth Hour, His Eminence tonsured Benjamin Dixon a reader for service in Reigning Icon of the Mother of God Church.

At the Little Entrance, Metropolitan Nicholas awarded Fr Peter the right to wear the kamilavka for his dedicated service to the church.

After Holy Communion, the clergy performed a short moleben to the Holy Trinity.

In his remarks at the end of Liturgy, Metropolitan Nicholas congratulated all with the feast, thanking the guest clergy for their joint prayers around the altar table. He especially noted the labors of Fr. Peter in the beautification of the temple and development of the parish.

A sumptuous luncheon was prepared for all outdoors.

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