Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America and New York, First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad, paid an archpastoral visit to the missionary parish in Sosua (Dominican Republic) from January 31 to February 1, 2026.
The parish in honor of the Icon of the Mother of God "Kazan", founded by Priest Rafael Martinez-Gonzalez in 2008, was first located in the city of Puerto Plata, then in 2020 moved to the nearby city of Sosua.
In addition to Russian-speaking parishioners who came to this country from the republics of the former Soviet Union and Dominican converts, the parish is visited and supported by members of the Russian-Dominican Center for Science and Culture. Russian Russians, as well as Father Raphael, retain a good memory of Russia, they have not forgotten the Russian language, they are interested in Russian culture and continue to support the community. 
Metropolitan Nicholas and his entourage went to the temple, where they were greeted with traditional bread and salt. Priest Raphael and Protodeacon Andrey celebrated Vespers. Vladyka Nicholas prayed in the choir and helped the regent with reading and singing during the service.
At the end of Vespers, Metropolitan Nicholas consecrated a new Eucharistic set, which he brought as a gift to the mission. This donation was made by Deacon Nikolai Ilyin, a cleric of the Church of the Intercession in Nyack (New York, USA) and his wife Nadezhda. His Eminence also donated to the parish a set of liturgical books, akathists and icons for the church and distribution to the parishioners. At the end, a fraternal meal was held with the participation of all the clergy with their families and the assets of the missionary parish.
On the morning of February 1, Metropolitan Nicholas celebrated the Divine Liturgy, accompanied by the visiting clergy. Before the service began, Maxim Lopez (Puerto Rico) and Seraphim Nunez (Dominican Republic) were tonsured readers for missionary communities in Latin America.
At the small entrance, His Eminence awarded Father Raphael with a golden cross and, having read out the decision of the Synod of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad, elevated him to the rank of archpriest for his many years of diligent missionary service.
Metropolitan Nicholas and his entourage also inspected the site adjacent to the premises rented for the church, with a view to acquiring it for the development of the missionary parish in the Dominican Republic.