NEW YORK: 12 January 2026
Nativity of Christ celebrations at the Synodal Cathedral of Our Lady “of the Sign”

The clergy and parishioners of the Synodal Cathedral of Our Lady “of the Sign” in New York City celebrated the great feast of the Nativity of Christ. Solemn all-night vigil was performed on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, and Divine Liturgy on Wednesday the 7th of January, officiated by His Eminence Metropolitan Nicholas, of Eastern America and New York.

Serving alongside the First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad at Liturgy were cathedral clerics: Cathedral Dean Archpriest Andrei Sommer, Hieromonk Theognost (Kogan), Archpriest Seraphim Chemodakov, and Protodeacon Serge Arlievsky.

The Synodal choir sang marvelously under the direction of conductor Vadim Gan.

The services were held under the aegis of the Protectress of the Russian Diaspora – the wonderworking Kursk Root Icon of the Mother of God.

The church was filled with believers who came to honor the Infant Christ born in Bethlehem. Most of those praying confessed and communed of Christ’s Holy Mysteries.

After Liturgy, Fr Seraphim read Metropolitan Nicholas’ Nativity epistle.

His Eminence congratulated the clergy and the faithful on the great feast and noted that Christ comes to earth to enter our lives completely, and we must receive Him into our hearts and lives. Metropolitan Nicholas also called on everyone to support the Synod during the ongoing renovations.

A Christmas reception was held in the cathedral hall.

On Friday, January 9, His Eminence hosted a celebration at the Synodal Residence at which both the Synodal Choir and English-language St Sergius Choir sang carols to the delight of all the attendees.