On Sunday, February 11, 2018, the Sunday of the Last Judgment, HE Metropolitan Nicolae served the Divine Liturgy at the Annunciation Cathedral in Olmstead Township, Ohio. It was a blessed occasion, since during the Divine Liturgy the young Petru-Ioan Neaga was ordained to the deaconate.

The feast of the parish began on Saturday evening with Great Vespers. Together with HE Nicolae, served Fr. Ion Gherman, the parish priest, and Deacon Aurel Pâra of the Eparchial Center of Chicago. At the end of the service, HE Nicolae spoke of the two martyrs who were celebrated on that day, the St. Haralambos and St. Valentina. By their example of firmness in faith, they have proven the work of grace in their lives, grace which has strengthened them to overcome all the bodily sufferings of persecutors. Through this belief, a lot of pagans have been converted to Christianity, including the daughter of Emperor Septimius Severus. We, also, as Christians must be examples of faith for those around us and give them the chance of conversion.  

The next day, the Divine Liturgy was served by the same clergy. The ordination of Petru-Ioan Neaga took place at the appointed time, after the song of Axion. At the time of the sermon, HE Nicolae interpreted the Parable of the Last Judgment and spoke of the new ministry to which the young Petru was called. The parable is part of the Great Eschatological Sermon delivered by the Savior before His Passion. The parable urges us to watch, for no one knows the hour of the second coming. The Parable also reveals the criterion of Judgment, the good deed fulfilled for the helpless brother or sister. "Those who have sought Christ in the sufferings of the fellow, will find Him in His glory when He comes with His angels and we will continue for eternity the communion started in the Church," said Metropolitan Nicolae. The urge for an earnest and careful ministry of Deacon Petru completed the sermon of HE Nicolae. In conclusion, His Eminence congratulated the family of Deacon Petru and the entire community for the gift of a new servant. Together with his family, Deacon Petru is among the old and steadfast faithful of the Annunciation Cathedral.