November 26 2016
Paterson, NJ: Bishop Nicholas leads Patronal Feast of St. Michael’s
Cathedral
On
Monday, November 21, the feast of the Synaxis of the Archangel
Michael and the Other Powers of Heaven, His Grace Nicholas, Bishop
of Manhattan, visited St. Michael the Archangel Cathedral in
Paterson, NJ and led the parish’s patronal feast day.
At the Divine Liturgy, the vicar of the Eastern American Diocese was
co-served by Archpriests Serge Lukianov (diocesan secretary), Mark
Burachek (rector of Our Lady of Kazan Church in Newark, NJ), George
Zelenin (cathedral rector), and Boris Slootsky (cleric of St.
Alexander Nevsky Diocesan Cathedral in Howell, NJ), Priest Dmitry
Don (rector of Sts. Cosmas & Damian Church in Passaic, NJ),
Protodeacons Serge Arlievsky (cleric of Holy Dormition Convent
"Novo-Diveevo" in Nanuet, NY) and Leonid Roschko (cleric of the
diocesan cathedral), Hierodeacon Panteleimon (Jigalin; cleric of
"Novo-Diveevo"), and parish Deacon Andrei Logvinenko.
Upon completion of the Liturgy, a short moleben was served before an
icon of the Archangels, after which Bishop Nicholas addressed the
faithful with a sermon, in which he said, in part:
"Today is Monday, and according to our liturgical rubrics, every
Monday is dedicated to the Holy Angels; moreover, today is a feast
on which we celebrate with particular solemnity the memory of the
Archstrategist of God Michael and all of the Bodiless Powers of
Heaven – those warriors of Christ. Many of us today came to this
church; we are surrounded by noise, tumult, bustling, anxiety, and
even troubles. But we came here, and this is a particular joy,
because in the midst of all of this, we came to this quiet place to
pray to God and His angels.
"Our
Lord and God Jesus Christ became man, took on human flesh (not
angelic form), in order to save mankind. But we are nonetheless
surrounded by this invisible world, the world of the holy angels,
who are our helpers; they protect us, they travel alongside us every
day, every minute, they participate in the Divine Liturgy and every
divine service. Let us consider that, as we prayed here today, we
were surrounded by this invisible world of holy angels. And no
matter what may happen to us, each of us has his guardian angel, who
inspires in us good, repentance, and charity. Let us not forget to
listen to this marvelous voice of our guardian angel. And on this
day, as I said, not only is there clamor, but also this marvelous
cloud of holy angels. And we have nothing to fear, but only to
rejoice in the Lord: He became man to save us; we have this world of
bodiless warriors, we have our Orthodox Faith, and we have God’s
temple. May the Lord God help us to truly rejoice, every day, every
minute, in our salvation."
His Grace congratulated Fr. George, Fr. Andrei, and the parishioners
on the occasion of their patronal feast day. In turn, Fr. George
thanked the hierarch for his archpastoral visit and shared prayer.
The protodeacons then intoned the Polychronion for all of the
namesday celebrants.
After the service, a bountiful festal luncheon was served in the
parish hall, during which words of congratulation were offered to
the clergy and parishioners. The serving clergy were joined by
Archpriest Alexander Fedorowski – dean of St. Seraphim Cathedral at
Novo-Diveevo.
The parish of St. Michael’s Cathedral recently purchased land for
the construction of a new church. Fr. George requested the fervent
prayers of his guests, that next year, with God’s help, the feast
day might be held inside new walls.
Media Office of the Eastern American Diocese
