BROOKLYN – On December 5, the celebration of the feast day of St. Nicholas began with a Hierarchical Vespers and the procession of the icon presided over by His Grace Bishop Ierotheos of Efkarpia at St. Nicholas and St. Marina Church in Brooklyn.

In his sermon, Bishop Ierotheos referred to the divine work of St. Nicholas, a great hierarch of the Church.

He said, among other things, “We have all gathered here today in this small but very beautiful church to honor and glorify our great and ecumenical teacher, St. Nicholas the miracle worker, the protector of the poor, orphans, sailors, and the sick. There is no place on this earth where there is no church of St. Nicholas. Our islands in Greece are full of churches dedicated to his name.

“Our sailors have St. Nicholas for protection against the fierce waves and winds. Every church has a miracle. Each image has its own presence. Every dedication to his icon is also a miracle. Although it has been centuries since he lived, his name, form, holiness, personality, and love for humanity have not been forgotten. Many people, both men and women, are named in his honor and have him as their protector, just as he is for all people. All of us, young and old, clergy and non-clergy alike, call on his name when we need help and support. I pray St. Nicholas gives you all many and blessed years.”

The presiding priest of the community, the V. Rev. Archimandrite Meletios Bougas, thanked the Bishop for his presence as well as all the other priests present and wished everyone all the best to those celebrating their name day.

Panagiotis Giannopoulos, a member of the parish council, spoke with The National Herald and expressed his thanks to all those who honored the celebration with their presence, as well as all the members who worked on the preparations and decoration of the church.

Philoptochos Society President Konstantina Pitsirikos referred to the charity and social work of the society and wished the Greek community a happy and healthy Christmas season.

Fotis Gournelos, member of the parish council, wished St. Nicholas gives health, joy and prosperity all over the world.

After the Vespers, the Philoptochos Society held a dinner in the church hall.

On December 6, St. Nicholas’ feast day, the Divine Liturgy was celebrated at the church with Artoklasia and