NEW YORK: 5 March, 2025
The First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia celebrates the first Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts this year

On Wednesday, March 5, 2025, His Eminence Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America and New York, First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, prayed at the Lenten services at the Cathedral of Our Lady “of the Sign” at the Synodal Residence in New York City.

Divine services were performed under the holy aegis of the Kursk-Root Icon of the Mother of God "of the Sign." His Eminence then celebrated the first Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts this year. Concelebrating with His Eminence were the Cathedral’s Dean, Archpriest Andrei Sommer; Acting Chancellor of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA, Hegumen Nikodim (Balyasnikov), cathedral clergy and staff of the Chancery of the Synod of Bishops. The liturgical hymns were sung by the Synodal Choir under the direction of Vadim Gan.

Upon completion of Liturgy, His Eminence addressed the worshipers with a primatial sermon, wishing them all God's help in prayer, fasting and repentance.