November 16, 2013
Passaic, NJ: Bishop Jerome leads Patronal Feast Day of Sts. Cosmas & Damian Church

On Thursday, November 14, on the feast of the Holy Unmercenaries Cosmas and Damian, parishioners of Sts. Cosmas & Damian Church in Passaic, NJ marked their patronal feast day. Although the number of those present was limited by the workday, a small group of 50 parishioners and visitors from neighboring parishes was able to come and pray to the church’s Heavenly intercessors.

His Grace, Bishop Jerome, celebrated the Divine Liturgy, co-served by diocesan secretary Archpriest Serge Lukianov, Archpriest Mark Burachek (rector of Our Lady of Kazan Church in Newark, NJ), Archpriest Boris Slootsky (cleric of St. George’s Church in Howell, NJ), parish rector Priest Dmitri Don, Priest Igor Kseniuk (rector of St. John the Baptist OCA Church in Passaic), parish Protodeacon Vladimir Oliynyk, and Deacon Dimitry Sukhorukov (cleric of St. Nicholas MP Church in Bayonne, NJ). During the service, Archpriest Alexander Fedorowski (cleric of Holy Dormition Convent "Novo-Diveevo" in Nanuet, NY) and Priest Vladimir Kaydanov (cleric of St. George’s Church in Howell) also joined the worshippers.

During the Little Entrance, with the blessing of the First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad, His Eminence Hilarion, Metropolitan of Eastern America & New York, and for his fervent labors on behalf of the parish, Fr. Dmitri Don was awarded the right to wear the kamilavka. Upon completion of the Liturgy, a short moleben was served to the Holy Unmercenaries, after which Bishop Jerome addressed the faithful with a sermon on the words of the Prokeimenon: "To the saints who are in His earth, the Lord hath revealed the wonders of all His will in them," answering the question: "What does the Lord want for us, and from us?"

Fr. Serge passed along a greeting from Metropolitan Hilarion, who was in Cleveland, OH that day. In turn, Fr. Dmitri greeted His Grace, thanking him and visiting clergy for the opportunity to share in the joy of the parish feast. After the service, a bountiful luncheon was offered in the parish hall.

Over the last few years, under the able direction of Fr. Dmitri and thanks to the fervent efforts of pious parishioners, Sts. Cosmas & Damian Church has been flourishing and is being transformed by renovations. Thank God for such good pastors; by the prayers of Sts. Cosmas and Damian, may the Passaic parish continue to grow and multiply!

Photos: www.passaicrussianchurch.com

Media Office of the Eastern American Diocese