EASTERN AMERICAN DIOCESE: 5 August 2024
Metropolitan Nicholas leads St Vladimir Day celebrations

On Sunday, July 28, 2024, the feast of the Holy Grand Prince Vladimir, Equal-of-the-Apostles, the annual St Vladimir’s Day Celebrations were held in Jackson, NJ. A multitude of diocesan clergy, guests, and faithful from several states gathered for the feast. Officiating the annual celebrations and celebrating Divine Liturgy in St. Vladimir Memorial Church was His Eminence Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America and New York, co-served by His Grace Bishop Theodosius of Seattle and His Grace Bishop Jerome (Shaw).

Singing at the divine services was a combined choir of the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign and the parish, under the direction of conductor Vadim Gan. A copy of the wonderworking Pochaev Icon of the Mother of God was brought from Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville.

In Russian, the sermon was on the words "I have raised up one chosen out of My people" (Psalm 88:20, from the service to St Vladimir) and how St. Olga prepared her grandson by inclining him to Christianity, and in English on the verse "On Thee O Lord have I hoped, let me not come to shame" (Psalm 30:2), and how even though one may not understand too much of theology, those who are active believers have their reward not just in the next life but often in this, since church members tend to suffer less from loneliness than non-religious people, and believers tend to be happier and therefore healthier. Two elderly churchgoing ladies in Siberia told a reporter for the "National Geographic," that "we are 80 but feel 60, because our faith keeps us young."

The clergy and faithful went in procession around the church, after which the traditional water blessing was performed.

Upon completion of Liturgy, a luncheon was organized and the people were able to eat either outdoors in the fresh air, where they were offered shish kabob, pirozhki, dessert, and a chance to drink coffee with the bishops and clergy, or else to attend a dinner indoors in the parish hall.

At the luncheon, His Eminence called on the faithful to continue to come and pray in this remarkable church, and to take part in the St Vladimir’s Day Celebrations.

After lunch, those who wished were able to interact with the Cossacks and take horseback rides.

Later that day, Metropolitan Nicholas and Bishop Theodosius visited St Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in Howell, where the First Hierarch blessed the new roof of the cathedral.