NEW YORK: May 10, 2023
Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America and New York concludes his primatial visit to the German Diocese

On the evening of Wednesday, May 3, 2023, at the Convent of St Elizabeth in Buchendorf, His Eminence Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America and New York held a conference of archpastors of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia serving in Europe, after which His Eminence attended dinner with the monastics of the German Diocese headed by His Eminence Metropolitan Mark of Berlin and Germany.

On Thursday, May 4, Metropolitan Nicholas, having prayed at the Divine Liturgy in the above-mentioned monastery, went to the place where, perhaps, the brethren of the monastery of St Job, Abbot and Wonderworker of Pochaev, would move. Metropolitan Nicholas inspected the premises of the proposed new monastery site with great interest, asked questions, shared his thoughts and talked with the current owners of the site located in the vicinity of Munich. His Eminence was accompanied by His Grace Bishop Irenei of London and Western Europe, His Grace Bishop Alexander of Vevey and His Grace Bishop Job of Stuttgart, Archpriest Seraphim Gan, Protodeacon Bartholomew Bazanov, Archdeacon Dometian Redko, and Monk Meliton.

On the same day, in the evening, a regular meeting of the Synod of Bishops was held, after which Mother Maria, Abbess of the Convent of St Elizabeth, gave a reception in honor of the First Hierarch, with the participation of archpastors of the Russian Church Abroad who had arrived in Germany, Archbishop Tikhon of Podolsk and representatives of the local clergy.

The next morning, the First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia went to the city of Bad Ems, where on May 5-6 he led the celebrations dedicated to the patronal feast day of the Church of the Holy Empress Alexandra. Concelebrating with His Eminence were Bishop Alexander and Bishop Job, Parish Rector Archpriest Boris Zdrobau, local and visiting clergy. Greeting the audience, Metropolitan Nicholas presented the church with an icon belonging to the ever-memorable Metropolitan Hilarion.

On the evening of Saturday, May 6, the Chairman of the Synod of Bishops celebrated all-night vigil at St Nicholas Cathedral in Stuttgart, where he was warmly welcomed by Archpriest Ilya Limberger, the parish clergy, the sisterhood and numerous parishioners. At the end of the service, Metropolitan Nicholas presented Archpriest Ilya Limberger with a palitsa with the image of St Nicholas the Wonderworker, which also once belonged to Metropolitan Hilarion.

On Sunday, May 7, Divine Liturgy at the Cathedral of the Holy New Martyrs and Confessors in Munich was led by Metropolitan Nicholas, co-served by Metropolitan Mark of Berlin and Germany, Bishop Alexander and Bishop Job. At the minor entrance, His Eminence elevated Fr Andrei Shevtsov, deacon of St Nicholas Cathedral in Stuttgart, to the rank of protodeacon. At the end of the service, addressing the audience with words of sermon and greeting, Metropolitan Nicholas presented the cathedral with the icon of the Mother of God "of Novgorod", which belonged at one time to Metropolitan Hilarion, and the cathedral celebrant, Archpriest Nikolai Artemov, a jubilee cross issued for the 100th anniversary of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia. After a meal and fellowship with the parishioners of the cathedral, His Eminence went to meet and talk with young people in the library of the Orthodox Theological Faculty.

All the divine services performed by the First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia during his visit to Germany were attended by the Kursk-Root Icon of the Mother of God "of the Sign,” which began its journey through the parishes and monasteries of this diocese.

On Monday, May 8, Metropolitan Nicholas departed for New York.