NEW YORK: 13 December 2022
Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America and New York officiates at Divine Liturgy on the feast day of the Synodal Cathedral of Our Lady “of the Sign” in New York

On Saturday, 10 December, 2022, the feast day of the Kursk-Root Icon of the Mother of God “of the Sign,” His Eminence Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America and New York, First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, officiated at Divine Liturgy at the Synodal Cathedral in New York. He was joined by His Eminence Archbishop Gabriel of Montreal and Canada; His Eminence Archbishop Peter of Chicago and Mid-America; His Grace Bishop Irenei of London and Western Europe; His Grace Bishop Luke of Syracuse; Cathedral Dean Archpriest Andrei Sommer, along with the other Cathedral clergymen. Also in attendance were representatives of Local Orthodox Churches and diocesan clergymen and a large contingent of worshipers.

Vadim Gan led the Synodal Choir. Vladyka Nicholas then hosted the visiting hierarchs and guests.

During Liturgy, by decision of the Synod of Bishops, Hegumen Zosimas (Krampis) was granted the palitsa. Archimandrite Elevfery (Skiba) of the Stavropighial Church in Brooklyn delivered a sermon before Holy Communion.

After a prayer service before the Kursk-Root Icon of the Mother of God, Metropolitan Nicholas congratulated all the worshipers, expressing his profound joy and their common prayer before the main holy relic of the Russian diaspora, wishing everyone the aid of the Sovereign Queen of Heaven. His Eminence then bestowed the Synodal Medal of the Kursk-Root Icon of the Mother of God, III Degree, to Hierodeacon Panteleimon (Jigalin) for his zealous service as the cell-attendant and personal assistance to the late Metropolitan Hilarion of blessed memory in the years before his repose, calling upon everyone to continue to pray for the late First Hierarch.

The festivities continued at the trapeza, attended by over 375 guests.