BRIDGEPORT, CT --- His Eminence, Metropolitan Nicholas began his Archpastoral Visitation to the New England Deanery this evening with the celebration of the Divine Liturgy of Presanctified Gifts at St. John the Baptist, Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Church of Bridgeport, CT.

In this season of the Great Fast, it is the duty of all Christians to enter into the Holy Mystery of Confession. It is not the only thing that we must do in Lent to prepare for the Feast of Pascha: but it is surely a necessary preparation for that Great and Holy Feast of Feasts.

Again we stand at the threshold of the Great Fast! Ten weeks before the Glorious feast of Pascha, we began our preparation for the glorious and awesome mystery of the Passion and Death of our Lord, God, and Saviour Jesus Christ! It was for this reason that He, the very Son of God Himself, came into the world: to die for us and our salvation!

JOHNSTOWN, Christ the Saviour Cathedral in Johnstown was filled with faithful from various churches throughout Greater Johnstown for the annual Ecumenical Service hosted by His Eminence, Metropolitan Nicholas.

JOHNSTOWN, PA -- The Diocesan Stewardship Committee met with His Eminence, Metropolitan Nicholas at the chancery offices in Johnstown, Pennsylvania on January 22-23, 2010. The Commission was appointed by His Eminence following the July, 2009 Sobor, during which Father Basil Aden offered a presentation on the concept of Christian stewardship generally, and more specifically in the context of financial support for our local parishes and diocesan apostolates.

JOHNSTOWN, PA --- His Eminence, Metropolitan Nicholas presided over Theophany Services at Christ the Saviour Cathedral. Following the traditional Community-Wide Theophany Eve Holy Supper, the faithful of Christ the Saviour Cathedral assembled in worship for the Theophany Eve Vigil Service with the Great Blessing of Water.

JOHNSTOWN, PA -- His Eminence, Metropolitan Nicholas appeared this evening on the inaugural broadcast of the new web based diocesan news program, "The Good News"

JOHNSTOWN, PA -- His Eminence, Metropolitan Nicholas has been invited and will take part in liturgical celebrations and meetings with His All-Holiness, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I during his upcoming Archpastoral Visit to the United States from October 20 - November 6, 2009.

JOHNSTOWN, PA -- His Eminence, Metropolitan Nicholas observed the Feast of the Exaltation of the Most Precious, Life-Giving Cross at Christ the Saviour Cathedral.

It is my great hope and prayer that this humble request of the great Israelite King and Prophet Solomon be also on the lips and in the hearts of the several young men who will enter the doors of our Christ the Saviour Seminary for the first time or as returning students this fall as we initiate its 70th anniversary.