NEW ZEALAND: 7 July 2024
The First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad makes a visit to New Zealand

On Thursday, July 4, 2024, His Eminence Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America and New York and his delegates accompanied the Miracle-working Kursk-Root Icon of the Mother of God "of the Sign" as they arrived in Auckland, New Zealand. The Protectress of Kursk and the First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia are accompanied by Archpriest Serafim Gan and Protodeacon Eugene Kallaur.

Greeted at the airport by the Dean of New Zealand, Archpriest Vladimir Boikov, His Eminence went to Holy Resurrection Church. After venerating the shrines of the church and familiarizing themselves with the progress of the repair and construction work being carried out in it, the members of the delegation accompanying the miraculous image proceeded to lunch in the priest’s chambers.

On the same day, in the evening, all-night vigil was performed, and the next morning Divine Liturgy was celebrated. On this day, the ninth Friday after Easter, the memory of the Kursk Hodegetria was celebrated. Despite the working day, there were 100 communicants at the celebration of a hierarchical Divine Liturgy,

On the evening of the same day, upon learning of the repose of Archpriest George Larin, a long-time cleric of the Eastern American Diocese, His Eminence, after praying in the altar of Holy Resurrection Church with a moleben and akathist to the Mother of God, led a cathedral pannikhida.

On Sunday, July 7, the feast of the Nativity of John the Baptist, His Eminence officiated at Divine Liturgy at Holy Resurrection Church in Auckland. His Eminence was joined by the Rector, Fr Vladimir, parish clergy and members of the delegation.

At the end of the reading of the hours, Metropolitan Nicholas ordained one of the altar servers of the parish, Paul Dyachenko, as a reader and subdeacon. Upon completion of Divine Liturgy, His Eminence awarded the choir director Anna Vladimirovna Boikova, Fr Vladimir's wife, with the Synodal Ladies' Order of the Kursk-Root Icon of the Mother of God "of the Sign" of the Third Degree.

His Eminence then presented Fr Vladimir with a jubilee pectoral cross issued for the 100th anniversary of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, and the parish with an icon painted in commemoration of this anniversary.

After the kissing of the cross, the archpastor, clergy and parishioners continued the gathering at a trapeza luncheon.

Between the daily services performed during the relics' stay at Holy Resurrection Church in Auckland, Metropolitan Nicholas spent time with the rector, clergy and parishioners of this church, visiting their homes with the wonderworking icon.

On Monday, July 8, the delegation headed by the First Hierarch departed for Christchurch, located on the southern island of New Zealand.