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.