On April 5, 2014, His Grace Bishop Nicholas, representing the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese, participated in receiving the newly-elected Patriarch of the Syrian Orthodox Church. His Holiness Moran Mor Ignatius Aphrem II (Syriac for His Holiness Kyrios Kyrios Ignatius Aphrem II) was received at St. Mark's Syriac Orthodox Cathedral in Teaneck, NJ by a multitude of Orthodox hierarchs from all jurisdictions.
His Holiness was elected Patriarch and Supreme Primate of Antioch and All the East for the Syrian Orthodox Church soon after the funeral and burial of his predecessor, His Holiness Moran Mor Ignatius Zakka I Iwas. Bishop Nicholas spoke on behalf of His Beatitude Patriarch John X and Metropolitan Silouan, conveying their congratulations to the Syrian Orthodox Church for His Holiness’ election. They offered their prayers for the Patriarch, for the difficult job ahead of him to help rebuild Syria and rebuild the Christian Community in Syria, as he prepares to move back to Damascus.