Numerous faithful attended Wednesday, December 6, 2023, the Divine Liturgy celebrated in the Metropolitan Cathedral of Sts. Constantine and Helen in Chicago by His Eminence Nicolae, Metropolitan of the Romanian Orthodox Metropolia of the Americas, together with the clergy of the Cathedral. On this day, the Metropolitan of the Romanian Orthodox of the Americas celebrated the feast of his spiritual patron, St. Hierarch Nicholas, Archbishop of Myria Lycia.
A Te Deum service followed by an agape meal was held on the evening of the same day for the Chicago faithful who wished to congratulate their pastor on the occasion of his name day. In his homily, His Eminence spoke about the life of St. Nicholas explaining the troparion of the feast. The one called "the face of meekness" "inherited the earth" as Christ himself teaches in the Beatitudes. St. Nicholas certainly "inherited" the Kingdom of Heaven through his acts of mercy known throughout the world for 1700 years.
His Eminence Metropolitan Nicolae also received greetings from the children of the Cathedral who presented, in pictures, the life and acts of mercy of St. Nicholas. Under the guidance of Presbytera Andaluzia Mureșan and Presbytera Sanda Cărbune, the children placed on the boards, with their hands, images and words describing the life of the saint, all surrounding the scene representing the First Ecumenical Council in which St. Nicholas participated. Metropolitan Nicolae thanked the children, the two prezbyteras, and all the volunteers who prepared a beautiful and rich meal.
