EASTERN AMERICAN DIOCESE: 18 September 2026
St Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in New Jersey celebrates its 90th anniversary

On Friday and Saturday, 11-12 September, 2026, the patronal feast of St Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in Howell, NJ, and the 90th anniversary of its founding, His Eminence Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America and New York arrived for an archpastoral visit to officiate the parish celebrations in honor of the feast and to mark the anniversary. For the veneration of the faithful, His Eminence brought with him the chief holy icon of the Russian Church Outside of Russia, the Wonder-working Kursk Root Icon of the Mother of God.

Hierarchs of the Russian Church Abroad also arrived for the festal celebrations: His Eminence Archbishop Gabriel of Montreal and Canada, His Grace Bishop Spyridon of Chicago and Mid-America; His Grace Bishop Theodosius of Manhattan; His Grace Bishop Luke of Syracuse, His Grace Bishop Kliment of Levka (Bulgarian Orthodox Church), and His Grace Bishop Jerome (Shaw; retired).

The myrrh-streaming Hawaiian-Iveron Icon of the Mother of God was brought by its guardian, Priest Nectarios Yangson. Both icons were placed on specially prepared and decorated analogia alongside a new icon of St Alexander Nevsky.

This large festive icon was painted by cathedral cleric Protodeacon Paul Drozdowski. It depicts St Alexander and St George the Trophy-Bearer gazing toward the Tikhvin Icon of the Mother of God. Between them stand three churches: the eponymous cathedral, the Tikhvin Church (the old St Alexander Nevsky Church), and the neighboring St George Church (home of the Kuban Cossack Voisko Abroad, which this year marked the 65th anniversary of its founding).

Cathedral parishioners, along with numerous believers from other states across the country, traveled to the church to pray at the festal services and venerate the wonderworking icons.

The parish male choir, directed by Alexandra Lukianov, sang all-night vigil, while the parish mixed choir, directed by Andrei Roudenko, sang Divine Liturgy.

On Saturday morning, prior to Liturgy, the clergy greeted Metropolitan Nicholas. Cathedral rector Archpriest Serge Lukianov – who served as senior priest at Liturgy – addressed the First Hierarch with a word of welcome, recounting the cathedral’s history and asking for his prayers. Twenty-nine priests served in the altar. Protodeacon Paul Wolkow (cleric of St Seraphim Memorial Cathedral in Sea Cliff, NY) served as senior deacon, joined by 19 others.

At the Little Entrance, Metropolitan Nicholas honored parish Deacon Dumitru Lşan for his exceptional work in restoring the cathedral’s frescoes by elevating him to the rank of protodeacon.

After the Eucharistic Canon, parish Subdeacon George Rimakis was ordained to the diaconate. The newly ordained Deacon George will fulfill his service at St Alexander Cathedral.

Upon conclusion of Liturgy, Metropolitan Nicholas addressed the faithful with a sermon:

"In turbulent times, the Holy Right-Believing Prince Alexander Nevsky succeeded in preserving the Orthodox Faith and saving our homeland; just as he protected us then, he watches over us now, and we ought to turn to him, seek his aid, and emulate him. We thank God that for 90 years, God has been glorified, the Faith strengthened, and the people brought to repentance and salvation within this church."

His Eminence noted that the Holy Prince not only heard the Lord’s words, but put them into practice. Today, the Savior calls upon us, too, to be meek and humble of heart. He serves as an example of how we should live.

"We live in unsettled times, and it is all the more important for us to know that the Lord is always near. Our patron, St Alexander Nevsky, sets this example for us."

Archpriest Serafim Gan, Chancellor of the Synod of Bishops, read aloud a Synodal decree of blessing, which Metropolitan Nicholas presented to the rector.

Metropolitan Nicholas also presented a decree to Nicholas Burbelo – a longtime parishioner and engineer who had selflessly worked on the architectural and engineering plans for the expansion of the parish clergy house.

Fr Serge thanked the hierarchs and clergy for attending the festivities and for their shared prayer. On behalf of the cathedral, a set of blue vestments, a cross, and two panagias bearing a commemorative inscription were presented to Metropolitan Nicholas.

All the hierarchs received a liturgical set from the parish – an epitrachelion, cuffs, small omophorion, and sudarium (sulok) – embroidered with icons of St Alexander Nevsky and the Holy Great-Martyr and Trophy-Bearer George.

In gratitude for his visit to the cathedral during these jubilee celebrations, Fr Serge presented Fr Nectarios, guardian of the Iveron-Hawaiian Icon of the Mother of God, an epitrachelion embroidered with an image of St Nektarios of Ægina.

All priests, deacons, subdeacons, and readers received a commemorative model of the cathedral and a small icon marking the occasion. On behalf of the parish, cathedral cleric Priest Anthony Williams presented Fr Serge with a magnificent icon of St Alexander.

The protodeacons intoned the Polychronion for all those celebrating their namesday.

The clergy congratulated the newly-ordained Fr George and Matushka Daria. Their family presented the new deacon with five new sets of vestments.

The hierarchs, clergy, and guests – numbering 230 people – proceeded to the church hall for a celebratory banquet, where the fraternal fellowship between clergy and parishioners continued and a grand concert featuring clergy and choir members was presented. The choir was directed by conductor Andrei Roudenko.