On Sunday, July 2, the feast of St. John (Maximovitch), Archbishop of Shanghai and San Francisco, the Administrator of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA, His Grace Bishop John of Naro-Fominsk led the Divine Liturgy in St. Nicholas Cathedral in New York City.
His Grace was co-served by the Chancellor of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA, Archpriest Igor Tarasov and clerics of the cathedral.
During the Divine Liturgy, after his ordination to the subdiaconate, Bishop John ordained Rdr. Yulian Ryabstev of St. Nicholas Cathedral to the Holy Diaconate.
After the reading of the Gospel. Bishop John delivered a sermon on the topic of the appointed Gospel reading for the day. Following Holy Communion, Bishop John served a short moleben before an icon containing a piece of the relics of St. John.
At the conclusion of the Liturgy, Archpriest Alexander Golubov congratulated His Grace on the occasion of his namesday. In turn, Bishop John thanked Fr. Alexander, the clergy and faithful for their prayers on this feast. Vladyka then also congratulated Deacon John Peters and John Godin on the occasion of their namesday as well.