Archimadnrite Sergius visited Japan in mid-July.

Archimandrite Sergius returned from Japan on the 20th of July bringing with him relics of St. Ncholas/Nikolai of Japan for the monastery church. "St. Nikolai was a great Apostle to Japan and tireless laborer working for the people of Japan and for the Lord," Archimandrite Sergius noted.

After the years of evangelism by St. Nicholas,  in 1912 about 33,000 converts and 266 Orthodox churches in Japan.  The Bolshevik revolution in 1917 and the years following was catastrophic for mission fields of the Russian Orthodox Church, including Japan.  After WWII,  Japan was focused on rebuilding life and evangelism languished. 

Archimandrite Sergius noted that Japanese Orthodox are a tiny religious minority who "Live in a society that is not Christian, so, having a reference point for evangelism can prove difficult...The Orthodox of Japan are extremely kind, hospitable, reverent and beautiful people. We hope they come to visit us and encourage us to visit there!

O holy saint Nicholas  the enlightener of Japan,
You share a dignity and the throne of the Apostles;
You are a wise and faithful servant of Christ, 
A temple chosen by the Divine Spirit, 
A vessel overflowing with the love of Christ. 
O hierarch equal to the Apostles, 
Pray to the Life-Creating Trinity 
For all your flock and for the whole world.