On Saturday, September 19, on the day of commemoration of the miracle of St. Michael the Archangel, Rector of St. George Church, Archpriest Igor Tarasov attended the Prayer service with the blessing of the newly-erected dome along with the cupola cross at the construction site for St. Michael’s Parish in Wayne, NJ. This is a ROCOR parish formerly located in Paterson, NJ.

At this point St. Michael’s parish has moved to Wayne, NJ where a new temple is being built. The construction is now substantially accomplished and building of the dome is finished. Therefore, on that day linked to the devotion to St. Michael, the newly erected cupola had to be blessed.

The Prayer service was performed in front of the miraculous Kursk Root Icon of the Most Holy Mother of God brought there for such an occasion. It was headed by His Eminence, Metropolitan Hilarion, First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad. He was co-served by His Grace, Bishop Nicholas of Manhattan, Archpriest George Zelenin, Rector of St. Michael’s Church and Deacon Andrew Logvinenko, cleric of the parish. Archpriest Igor Tarasov was present and prayed during the service. At the end Bishop Nicholas and Fr. George boarded a construction lift in which they were raised to the height of the dome and blessed it with holy water. Other clergy and faithful were excited to observe that blessing performed in the air.

Following the blessing the bishops and guests of the parish had an opportunity to see the new temple being built. Then they were invited to a picnic held on the neighboring Catholic church’s grounds where they enjoyed some delicious meals and a nice company.