September 21, 2016
Brooklyn, NY: Bishop Nicholas leads Patronal Feast of St. Joasaph of Belgorod Church

On Saturday, September 17, the feast of the Uncovering of the Relics of the Holy Hierarch Joasaph of Belgorod, Bishop Nicholas of Manhattan, vicar of the Eastern American Diocese, celebrated the Divine Liturgy on the patronal feast day of St. Joasaph of Belgorod Church in Brooklyn, NY.

His Grace was co-served by diocesan secretary Archpriest Serge Lukianov, parish rector Archpriest Boris Oparin, Archpriest Petro Kunitsky (cleric of Holy New Martyrs & Confessors of Russia Church in Brooklyn), and Protodeacon Leonid Roschko (cleric of St. Alexander Nevsky Diocesan Cathedral in Howell, NJ). The divine services took place under the aegis of the Protectress of the Russian Diaspora – the Kursk Root Icon of the Mother of God. On the analogion in the middle of the church was an icon of the church’s Heavenly patron – the Holy Hierarch Joasaph of Belgorod, with a piece of the saint’s relics.

A male trio sang the divine services beautifully. The church was full of worshippers for its patronal feast, and both parishioners and faithful from other New York City churches communed of Christ’s Holy Mysteries.

Upon completion of the service, Bishop Nicholas congratulated the rector, clergy, and faithful on the occasion of the patronal feast. The clergy and parishioners then proceeded to the church’s refectory, where a festal luncheon was held.

Media Office of the Eastern American Diocese