The end of March and the beginning of April turned out to be a period filled with a number of joyful events in the spiritual life of St. John the Baptist Cathedral in Washington, DC.

For Release: At the February 21/March 5, 2024, session of the Synod of Bishops, which was held at the Synodal Headquarters in New York City, a resolution was heard from the Spiritual Court of the Eastern American Diocese regarding the activities of Abbot Tikhon (Gayfudinov), Archpriest Andrei Pastukh, Archpriest Edward Chervinsky, and Protodeacon Vladimir Oliynyk, who wrought disturbance in the church life of several diocesan parishes.

On Saturday the 13th and Sunday the 14th of April, with the blessing of His Eminence Nicholas, Metropolitan of Eastern America & New York, First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad, Western American Diocesan vicar Bishop Theodosius of Seattle paid an archpastoral visit to St. Saint Luke the Blessed Surgeon Church in Pompano Beach, FL

On Monday afternoon, April 15, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York arrived in Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville, NY to officiate the funeral of newly departed Protodeacon Joseph Jarostchuk, who reposed in the Lord the Thursday prior.

On Friday, April 12, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York paid an archpastoral visit to Our Lady "Unexpected Joy" Church in Staten Island, NY, where he performed the Sacrament of Holy Unction.

On Wednesday evening, April 10, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York performed the Sacrament of Holy Unction in Nativity of the Theotokos Church in Albany, NY.

On Saturday, April 6, on the eve of the great feast of the Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos, His Eminence Nicholas, Metropolitan of Eastern America & New York, paid an archpastoral visit to Holy Annunciation Church in Flushing, NY

On Saturday the 6th and Sunday the 7th of April, divine services were held in Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville, NY for the great feast of the Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos, as well as for the Lenten Sunday of the Cross. 

On the morning of Thursday, April 11, Protodeacon Joseph Jarostchuk (longtime cleric of St. John of Kronstadt Memorial Church in Utica, NY; since 2021 – of Holy Epiphany Church in Roslindale (Boston), MA) reposed in the Lord. He was 81 years old.

On Saturday the 6th and Sunday the 7th of April, the 3rd Sunday of Great Lent, that of the Veneration of the Cross, and when the Holy Church also celebrates the great feast of the Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos this year, His Grace, Bishop Jerome (Shaw) paid an archpastoral visit to St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in Howell, NJ, where he officiated the divine services.

On Friday, April 5, at St. Vladimir Memorial Church in Jackson, NJ, a panihida was served for Matushka Tamara Kizenko, who reposed the Wednesday prior.

On Saturday, March 30, the Sitka Icon of the Mother of God visited the American capital. The wonderworking icon remains on a permanent basis in St. Michael Diocesan Cathedral in Sitka, Alaska, and is one of the more venerated icons of the Mother of God in North America.

On Saturday, March 30, with full Lenten sense of the mercy of God and the recognization of our own human limitation, the local faithful of Misión San Juan de Shanghai y San Francisco in Matagalpa, Nicaragua,

On Wednesday, April 10, the Great Lenten Retreat for clergy of the northern deaneries of the Eastern American Diocese concluded with the celebration of the Divine Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts in Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville, NY.

On Tuesday, April 9, priests and deacons of the northern deaneries of the Eastern American Diocese gathered in Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville, NY for the start of the Great Lenten Pastoral Retreat.

On April 7, the 3rd Sunday of Great Lent, that of the Veneration of the Cross, and when the Holy Church also celebrates the great feast of the Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos this year, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York celebrated Divine Liturgy in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City.

On Friday, April 5, His Eminence Nicholas, Metropolitan of Eastern America & New York, paid an archpastoral visit to Holy Dormition Convent "Novo-Diveevo" in Nanuet, NY, where he celebrated the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts at the convent’s St. Seraphim Cathedral.

On Saturday the 6th and Sunday the 7th of April, the 3rd Sunday of Great Lent, that of the Veneration of the Cross, coincided with the great feast of the Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos. In every church, the "Fountainhead of our salvation" was celebrated, and the faithful worshipped the Life-Giving Cross of the Lord.

On Wednesday, April 3, the Great Lenten Retreat for clergy of the southern deaneries of the Eastern American Diocese concluded with the celebration of the Divine Liturgy of Presanctified Gifts in St. Mary of Egypt Church in Roswell (Atlanta), GA.

On Wednesday, April 3, Matushka Tamara Kizenko, wife of the ever-memorable Archpriest Boris Kizenko (long-time cleric of St. Vladimir Memorial Church in Jackson, NJ; +2010), reposed in the Lord. She was 89 years old.

On Tuesday, April 2, clergymen of the southern deaneries of the Eastern American Diocese flocked to St. Mary of Egypt Church in Roswell (Atlanta), GA for the start of the Southern Great Lenten Clergy Retreat.

On Saturday the 30th and Sunday the 31st of March, the 2nd Sunday of Great Lent, dedicated to the Holy Hierarch Gregory Palamas, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York paid an archpastoral visit to Protection of the Mother of God Church in Rochester, NY, where he officiated the divine services.

On March 24, the first Sunday of Great Lent, dedicated the Triumph of Orthodoxy, His Grace, Bishop Jerome (Shaw), paid an archpastoral visit to Nativity of the Mother of God Church in Albany, NY, where he officiated the divine services.

On March 24, the first Sunday of Great Lent, dedicated the Triumph of Orthodoxy, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York celebrated Divine Liturgy in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City.

Having learned of the horrible attack on the peaceful citizens of Moscow, I hasten to express my deepest condolences to Your Holiness, and through you to the archpastors, clergy, and flock of the Russian Orthodox Church and the entire Russian people.

On March 20, Wednesday of the First Week of Great Lent, His Eminence Nicholas, Metropolitan of Eastern America & New York, prayed at the appointed divine services in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City, and then celebrated the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts.

On March 17, Cheesefare Sunday (also called Forgiveness Sunday, the Commemoration of Adam’s expulsion from Paradise), Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York celebrated Divine Liturgy in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City.

On March 17, Cheesefare Sunday (also called Forgiveness Sunday, the Commemoration of Adam’s expulsion from Paradise), Bishop Jerome (Shaw) celebrated Divine Liturgy in Nativity of the Mother of God Church at the New Kursk Root Hermitage in Mahopac, NY.

On Saturday, March 16, the 16th anniversary of the repose of Metropolitan Laurus (Škurla; 2008) of blessed memory, His Eminence Nicholas, Metropolitan of Eastern America & New York, First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad, visited Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville, NY.

On March 13-14,  Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York visited the Church of the Icon of the "Reigning" Mother of God in Charlotte, NC, and led the divine services in honor of the parish's patronal feast. In accordance with the Typicon, Divine Liturgy is not served on Wednesday or Friday of Cheesefare, so the feast (usually March 2/15) was transferred to the day prior.

Great Lent is approaching – a time set aside for delving into ourselves, for examining our lives, for repentance and correction. Great Lent is not only a time to refrain from certain types of food; it is a time for asceticism of the mind and senses, when we abstain from impure thoughts, separate ourselves from our habitual sins, entertainments, and harmful routines

The Diocese of Sitka & Alaska (OCA) held its annual clergy retreat in Anchorage from Friday the 8th through Sunday the 10th of March, hosted by His Grace Alexei, Bishop of Sitka & Alaska. As a special guest, His Grace Luke, Bishop of Syracuse and abbot of Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville, NY led the retreat

On Friday evening, March 8, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York arrived in Costa Rica to officiate the 30th anniversary celebrations of the establishment of Our Lady of Vladimir Church in Coronado, not far from the capital, San José.

Online registration for the 2024 Lenten Retreat for clergy of the Eastern American Diocese has opened on the diocesan website. 

On March 3, the Sunday of the Prodigal Son, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York celebrated Divine Liturgy in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City.

On Friday evening, March 1, a benevolent concert entitled "…and Peace on Earth ‒ Sacred Works: Prayers for Peace" was held in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City. The concert’s primary objective was to raise funds for relief organizations providing aid to those suffering from war in Ukraine and the Holy Land – especially ROCOR’s Russian Ecclesiastical Mission in Jerusalem.

On February 25, the Sunday of the Publican n& the Pharisee, and the date when the Church honors the memory of the Holy Hierarch Alexis of Moscow, Wonderworker of All Russia, Metropolitan Nicholas o Eastern America & New York celebrated Divine Liturgy in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City.

From Thursday the 15th through Monday the 19th of February, seeking spiritual guidance from the wonderworking Kursk Root Icon of the Mother of God, a group of 17 youth and chaperones from St. George parish in Cincinnati, OH made a pilgrimage to the icon’s home in her cathedral at the Synod of Bishops in New York City.

On February 18, the 37th Sunday after Pentecost and afterfeast of the Meeting of the Lord, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York celebrated Divine Liturgy in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City.

On Friday, February 16, the feast of the Holy Equal-of-the-Apostles Nicholas, Archbishop of Japan, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York celebrated his namesday. The First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad officiated the All-Night Vigil the evening prior and celebrated Divine Liturgy in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City.

On Thursday, February 15, the great feast of the Meeting of the Lord, Holy Presentation Church in Stratford, CT, celebrated its patronal feast day. That day, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York, First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad, arrived to share in the joy of the feast and to celebrate Divine Liturgy.

His Holiness Kyrill, Patriarch of Moscow & All Russia, congratulated Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York, First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, in his namesday.

On Monday, February 12, the Orthodox Church celebrates the feast of the Synaxis of the Three Hierarchs: Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian, and John Chrysostom. These three great hierarchs and luminaries of the Church are considered patrons of every Orthodox seminary, and therefore this feast is recognized as the patronal feast of Holy Trinity Orthodox Seminary.

On Saturday the 10th and Sunday the 11th of February, while on an archpastoral visit to the Florida Deanery, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York visited St. Luke the Blessed Surgeon Church in Pompano Beach, FL and officiated the divine services there.

On Wednesday, February 7, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York paid an archpastoral visit to Paideia Classical Academy in Coconut Creek, FL. Paideia Classical Academy is an Orthodox Classical School serving pre-school through 12th grade, established in 2012.

On Saturday, February 3, the feast day of Our Lady "Comfort and Consolation," Metropolitan Nichoas of Eastern America & New York paid an archpastoral visit to the American-Russian Aid Association "Otrada" in Chestnut Ridge, NY, where he celebrated Divine Liturgy on the occasion of the local chapel’s patronal feast.

On Monday the 5th and Tuesday the 6th of February, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York paid an archpastoral visit to St. Nicholas Church in Palm Coast, FL.

On Sunday, February 4, when the Holy Church honors the memory of the Synaxis of the Holy New Martyrs & Confessors of Russia, at the request of Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York, Bishop Jerome (Shaw) paid an archpastoral visit to the eponymous church in Brooklyn, NY, where he celebrated Divine Liturgy in honor of its patronal feast day.

On Sunday, February 4, when the Holy Church honors the memory of the Synaxis of the Holy New Martyrs & Confessors of Russia, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York celebrated Divine Liturgy in honor of the patronal feast day of the eponymous church in Norwich, CT.

On Tuesday, January 30, Archimandrite Maximos (Weimar) retired as abbot of the Monastery of St. Dionysios the Areopagite in St. James, NY. Per an agreement with the brotherhood, he assumed the role of abbot emeritus.

On Monday, January 29, His Beatitude Tikhon, Metropolitan of All America & Canada, Primate of the Orthodox Church in America, visited the Synodal Residence of the First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia in New York City.

The days following the radiant feasts of Christ’s Nativity, the New Year, and the Theophany of the Lord marked a significant event in the life of St. Alexander Nevsky Parish in Howell, NJ.

On Saturday the 20th and Sunday the 21st of January, the Sunday after Theophany, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York paid an archpastoral visit to Holy Epiphany Church in Roslindale (Boston), MA, where he officiated the divine services.

On January 21, the 33rd Sunday after Pentecost, that after Theophany, Archbishop Gabriel of Montreal & Canada celebrated Divine Liturgy in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City

On Thursday the 18th and Friday the 19th of January, the brethren of Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville, NY celebrated the great feast of the Theophany of the Lord. Officiating the divine services was the monastery’s abbot, His Grace, Eastern American Diocesan vicar Bishop Luke of Syracuse.

On the great feast of Theophany – the Baptism of the Lord ‒ solemn divine services were held in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City. On Thursday, January 18, the Eve of Theophany, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York officiated the Vesperal Liturgy of St. Basil the Great and the festal All-Night Vigil.

On Sunday, January 14, the feast of the Circumcision of the Lord, the parish school of Holy Virgin Protection Church in Nyack, NY held its annual Nativity Yolka.

On Monday, January 15, His Eminence Nicholas, Metropolitan of Eastern America & New York, paid an archpastoral visit to Holy Dormition Convent "Novo-Diveevo" in Nanuet, NY, where he celebrated Divine Liturgy on the occasion of the convent’s main St. Seraphim Cathedral.

On Tuesday, January 9, Priest Emmanuel Hatzidakis (diocesan cleric) reposed in the Lord in Chania, Crete, Greece. He was 82 years old.

On Sunday, January 14, when the Church commemorates the Circumcision of the Lord and honors the Holy Hierarch Basil the Great, His Eminence Nicholas, Metropolitan of Eastern America & New York celebrated Divine Liturgy in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City.

The great feast of Christ’s Nativity is celebrated with great solemnity in Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville, NY.

On Sunday, January 7, the great feast of the Nativity of our Lord, God, and Savior Jesus Christ, His Grace, Bishop Jerome (Shaw), paid an archpastoral visit to Holy Dormition Convent "Novo-Diveevo" in Nanuet, NY, where he celebrated Divine Liturgy on the occasion of the feast.

The Diocesan Media Office has begun publishing photo-reports of the Nativity of our Lord in parishes and monasteries of the Eastern American Diocese on the diocesan website. 

Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York officiated the divine services for the Nativity of Christ in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City.

On January 7 (December 25 o.s.), the Orthodox world celebrates the great feast of the Nativity of Christ. The greatness and importance of this feast is attested to by the preparatory 40-day Nativity Fast. Every person, family, and church celebrates this remarkable and important feast in his own way, and the Church of Our Lady of Pochaev in North Port, FL was no exception.

It is with feelings of humble gratitude, love, and joy in the Lord that I greet everyone on this great and most joyous celebration of the Nativity of Christ ‒ the arrival on earth of the incarnate Son of God born to the Most Blessed Virgin Mary.

The unutterable love of God has gathered us today so that in the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace (Eph. 4:3) we may celebrate one of the most solemn ‒ and at the same time mysterious ‒ feasts of the Church: the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ.

On December 31, the 30th Sunday after Pentecost and before Nativity, that of the Holy Fathers, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York, First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad, celebrated Divine Liturgy in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City.