On Sunday morning, November 4th, Fr. David Mahaffey together with the faithful of St. Nicholas Orthodox Church in Bethlehem, PA, welcomed His Eminence, Archbishop Tikhon, who came to visit the parish.

Before the celebration of the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy, His Eminence met with Church School Children and answered their questions. At the 3rd Hour, a faithful member of the parish, Matthew Lezinsky, was tonsured to the Rank of Reader. After the consecration of the Holy Gifts, His Eminence, Archbishop Tikhon, ordained Subdeacon Geoffrey LoBalbo to the Holy Diaconate.

After the Dismissal, His Eminence, Archbishop Tikhon expressed his appreciation for Fr. David's faithful service to the parish, the local community and the diocese and exhorted the newly-ordained Deacon Geoffrey and newly-tonsured Matthew to be faithful to their callings and to their service to Christ and His Holy Church.

Following the Divine Liturgy, a banquet in Chernay Fellowship Hall was prepared by the parishioners as His Eminence met with the faithful.