DIOCESE OF EASTERN AMERICA: 10 July, 2023
The First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia presides over the feast day of St John the Baptist Cathedral in Pennsylvania

On July 6-7, 2023, the feast of the Nativity of the Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist of the Lord John, His Eminence Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America and New York paid a primatial visit to St John the Baptist Cathedral in Mayfield, PA, where he celebrated divine services in honor of the patronal feast of the parish.

Concelebrating with His Eminence were Archpriest John Sorochka, parish clergy and guests in holy orders.

During the festive services, the cathedral choir sang beautifully under the direction of Larisa Sorochka at all-night vigil and under Alexandra Pavuk at Divine Liturgy.

At the end of Liturgy, His Eminence delivered a sermon on the theme of the feast, in which, in particular, he said:

"Of all the prophets, only John the Baptist saw Jesus Christ. Others predicted the coming of the Savior, of the Virgin, who would give birth to the Child. They did not fully understand it, but they accepted the word of God and believed it, and wrote it, and preached about it. But the Forerunner of the Lord John, being on this earth, prepared the way for the light of Christ, for His preaching, for His commandments of the New Testament. He is the one who saw the Savior, spoke to Him, baptized Him in the Jordan River...

“Just as John prepared himself and others to receive Christ the Savior, so we need to prepare ourselves daily for the time of our encounter with the Savior. We must think about our sins and what we still have to learn in order to benefit our soul and prepare it for eternal life – to pray, fast and partake of Christ's Holy Mysteries. What could be greater than accepting Christ?"

Father John then thanked the First Hierarch for his archpastoral visit, and the visiting clergy, parishioners and guests for their joint prayers. He presented His Eminence with an icon of the Holy Martyr Edward, King of England, with the relics of the saint for the Synodal Cathedral of Our Lady “of the Sign” in New York.

After the service, everyone was invited to the parish hall for a festive meal and fellowship.

Eastern American Diocese