November 17, 2016
Passaic, NJ: Bishop Jerome celebrates Divine Liturgy Sts. Cosmas & Damian Church

On Sunday, November 13, His Grace, Bishop Jerome, paid an archpastoral visit to Sts. Cosmas & Damian Church in Passaic, NJ. This year, celebrations for the parish’s patronal feast day (celebrated November 1/14) were moved to the day prior to accommodate the bishop’s travel schedule and the ability of many of the faithful to be in attendance.

At the Divine Liturgy, His Grace was co-served by Archpriest Boris Slootsky (cleric of St. Alexander Nevsky Diocesan Cathedral in Howell, NJ), parish rector Priest Dmitry Don, Protodeacons Vadim Gan (cleric of the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City) and Vladimir Oliynyk (parish cleric), Hierodeacon Panteleimon (Jigalin; cleric of Holy Dormition Convent "Novo-Diveevo" in Nanuet, NY), and Deacon Alexey Pnev (cleric of Nativity of the Mother of God Church at the New Kursk Root Hermitage in Mahopac, NY).

Upon completion of the service, a short moleben was served before the icon of the Holy Unmercenaries Cosmas & Damian. Bishop Jerome addressed the faithful with a sermon on the Sunday Gospel reading: the bedeviled herd of swine rushed to their destruction, which is often a sad image of the pitfalls of today’s society; but the Holy Unmercenaries present an opposite, positive model in their love and efforts on behalf of others.

A delicious trapeza was offered by the parish sisterhood in the lower level of the church, There were many toasts and mutual good wishes, and everyone seemed in a happy mood.

After the service, a luncheon was served by the sisterhood in the parish hall, where the concelebrating clergy was joined by Archpriest Yaroslav Belikow (cleric of "Novo-Diveevo"). Words of congratulation and well-wishing were offered, and a happy mood was shared by all.

Media Office of the Eastern American Diocese