JORDANVILLE, NY: 17 March 2023
The First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad leads a memorial service on the 15th anniversary of the repose of Metropolitan Laurus

On Thursday, 16 March, 2023, the fifteenth anniversary of the repose of Metropolitan Laurus of blessed memory, His Eminence Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America and New York, First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, visited Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville, NY. His Grace Bishop Luke greeted the Primate and invited him to the Abbot’s reception for a meeting.

After a luncheon prepared by the monastic brethren, a pannikhida service was performed at Holy Trinity Cathedral, led by Metropolitan Nicholas along with the monastery clergymen, teachers of Holy Trinity Seminary and visiting clerics. Bishop Luke prayed in the altar. At the end of the service, the First Hierarch noted that performing memorial services for the dead always brings him consolation, and called upon everyone not to forget Metropolitan Laurus and the late brothers of the monastery, to visit their graves, pray for their repose, study their biographies and legacy and strive to emulate their example, preserving their memory with grateful love. His Eminence then proceeded to the crypt of the late Metropolitan Laurus, venerated the coffin and prayed for his repose.

Bidding farewell to Bishop Luke, the brethren and seminarians, His Eminence departed for the neighboring Convent of the Iveron Icon of the Mother of God, where he met with the sisters and reviewed their new construction project, after which he left for New York.