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September 17, 2011
Lakewood, NJ: Bishop Jerome led the Patronal Feast Day of St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral

On Sunday evening, September 11, His Grace, Eastern American Diocesan vicar Bishop Jerome of Manhattan, paid an archpastoral visit to Lakewood, NJ, for the patronal feast day of St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, and led the All-Night Vigil. His Grace was co-served by cathedral rector Protopresbyter Valery Lukianov, Priest Sergio Silva (cathedral cleric), Protodeacon Joseph Jarostchuk (cleric of St. John of Kronstadt Church in Utica, NY), Protodeacon Dimitri Temidis (cleric of Holy Virgin Protection Church in Nyack, NY), and Deacon Paul Drozdowski (cleric of St. Vladimir Memorial Church in Jackson, NJ).

The following morning, during the Sixth Hour, Bishop Jerome tonsured longtime parishioner Dr. Victor Preis a reader, and then celebrated the Divine Liturgy. His Grace was co-served by the above-mentioned clergy, as well as Priest Alexander Botschagow (rector of Holy Fathers Church in New York City), Priest Leonid Goferman (rector of Holy Virgin Protection Church in New Brunswick, NJ), Priest Vadim Arefiev (rector of the Church of Our Lady, "The Inexhaustible Chalice," in Brooklyn, NY), Priest Serge Ledkovsky (deputy rector of St. Vladimir Memorial Church), Deacon Nicholas Olhovsky (cleric of Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville, NY), and Deacon Alexander Smida (cleric of St. Vladimir Memorial Church).

Upon completion of the Liturgy, His Grace turned to the gathered faithful with a sermon on the life and labors of the Holy Grand Prince Alexander Nevsky:

"The Holy Grand Prince Alexander Nevsky was an example of a faithful Orthodox Christian, who dedicated his life to fighting for the Orthodox faith and the Russian people. Even today, there is an ongoing battle for the preservation of the Orthodox faith, although this battle is often invisible. If there were no battle, then we would already be in the Heavenly Kingdom, but we are yet on this sinful earth, and for that very reason the battle rages on. It seems to me that it is crucial for every contemporary Christian to note the importance in helping one another. Every community in this country helps its fellows. Once I asked a Jewish man: Why do you Jews help one another so much? He replied: We are few. If we don’t help one another, then who will help us? Consider, dear ones, that we, the Orthodox, are a minority in the West. Let us follow the example of the Holy Grand Prince Alexander Nevsky and try to actively help one another in this life."

A procession with moleben to St. Alexander Nevsky was then held. In the parish hall, the sisterhood provided a festal luncheon.

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