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.

On Saturday, December 30, funeral services for Hieromonk Alexander (Lisnichuk) were held at St. Mary of Egypt Church in Roswell (Atlanta), GA. Fr. Alexander reposed on Thursday, December 28, after a battle with brain cancer and postoperative infection. A panihida was served on Friday evening.

As the 2023 year departs, the Media Office of the Eastern American Diocese would like to share some of the year’s top stories with our readers. Below you will find articles on the principal and defining events in the life of the Diocese over the last year.

On Thursday, December 28, after a serious illness, Hieromonk Alexander (Lisnichuk), cleric of St. Mary of Egypt Church in Atlanta, GA reposed in the Lord. He was 60 years old.

Having celebrated Divine Liturgy on Sunday, December 24 in Protection of the Mother of God Church in Rochester, NY, the attendees of the 44th annual St. Herman Youth Conference continued their work.

On December 24, the Sunday of the Holy Forefathers, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York celebrated Divine Liturgy in Protection of the Mother of God Church in Rochester, NY. Having officiated at the All-Night Vigil the evening prior, the First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad was greeted at the doors of the church with the traditional bread and salt.

On Friday, December 22, the clergy and parishioners of Our Lady "Unexpected Joy" Church in Staten Island, NY celebrated their parish’s patronal feast day.

On Friday evening, December 22, young people from across the Eastern American & Canadian Dioceses began arriving for the 44th annual St. Herman Youth Conference, held this year at Protection of the Mother of God Church in Rochester, NY

On Monday the 18th and Tuesday the 19th of December, the wonderworking Kursk Root Icon of the Mother of God, the Protectress of the Russian Diaspora, visited St. Nicholas Diocesan Cathedral in Montreal, QC, Canada, on the occasion of the cathedral’s patronal feast day

On Tuesday, December 19, the feast of Holy Hierarch Nicholas, Archbishop of Myra in Lycia, the Wonderworker, Eastern American Diocesan vicar Bishop Luke of Syracuse paid an archpastoral visit to St. Nicholas Church in Enfield, CT, where he officiated the divine services on the occasion of its patronal feast day.

On Tuesday, December 19, the feast of the Holy Hierarch Nicholas, Archbishop of Myra in Lycia, the Wonderworker, Bishop Jerome (Shaw) paid an archpastoral visit to St. Nicholas Church in Stratford, CT, where he officiated Divine Liturgy in honor of the parish’s patronal feast.

On December 6//19, the Orthodox Church prayerfully commemorates the feast of one of the greatest saints – the Holy Hierarch Nicholas, Archbishop of Myra in Lycia, the Wonderworker. This feast was especially lovingly celebrated in Our Lady of Pochaev Church in North Port, FL.

On December 17, the 28th Sunday after Pentecost, when the Holy Church honors the memory of the Holy Great-Martyr Barbara and Venerable John Damascene, 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.

On December 16-17, the 28th Sunday after Pentecost, Eastern American Diocesan vicar Bishop Luke of Syracuse paid an archpastoral visit to St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in Howell, NJ, where he officiated the divine services.

On Wednesday, December 13, the parish of St. Andrew Patriarchal Naval Cathedral in Philadelphia, PA celebrated its patronal feast day.

On Sunday, December 3, the eve of the great feast of the Entry into the Temple of the Most Holy Theotokos, the All-Night Vigil was served in Holy Cross Monastery in Wayne, WV.

This year marks the 65th anniversary of one of the most remarkable and ancient icons of Orthodox Russia – the Kursk Icon of the Mother of God "of the Sign" – abiding in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City, which was specially designed and named in its honor.

On Friday, December 1, the Eastern American Diocesan Council held its quarterly meeting in a remote, online format. His Eminence Nicholas, Metropolitan of Eastern America & New York opened the meeting and, after a prayer, welcomed the Council members.

From the editor: Having completed their work, the Synod of Bishops adopted the text presented below of an epistle to the clergy, monastics, and flock, read aloud before Holy Communion at Divine Liturgy on Sunday, December 10, the patronal feast day of the Cathedral of the Sign at Synodal Headquarters in New York City.

On Sunday, December 10, the feast of the Kursk Root Icon of the Mother of God "of the Sign" was prayerfully celebrated in Our Lady of Pochaev Church in North Port, FL. The Kursk Icon is a specially venerated icon for the entirety of the Orthodox Diaspora. Many generations of Orthodox Christians, as well as luminaries of Orthodoxy, such as Venerable Seraphim of Sarov and the Optina Elders, have prayed before this icon.

On Friday, 8 December, after Divine Liturgy on the Leavetaking of the feast of the Entry of the Most Holy Theotokos into the Temple, a session of the Synod of Bishops commenced at the Synodal Residence of the First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad in New York City.

On Sunday, December 3 – the eve of the great feast of the Entry into the Temple of the Most Holy Theotokos – Eastern American Diocesan vicar Bishop Luke of Syracuse paid an archpastoral visit to the Church of the Entrance into the Temple of the Holy Virgin (St. Mary’s) in Jamesville-Syracuse, NY, where he celebrated Divine Liturgy in honor of the parish’s upcoming patronal feast day.

Just as the Nativity Fast begins, the great feast of the Entry of the Theotokos into the Temple comes upon us. What is even more joyful is that, starting with the canon at Matins during the All-Night Vigil, we begin to hear Nativity hymns: in this case, the irmoi of the canon of the Nativity, which from now until the feast will be sung during festal services. In this way, the Church begins to prepare us for this radiant feast.

On December 3, the 26th Sunday after Pentecost, on the eve of the great feast of the Entry of the Most Holy Theotokos into the Temple, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York, First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad, officiated the festal divine services in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City.

On Tuesday, November 21, the feast of the Holy Archangel Michael and all of the Heavenly Bodiless Hosts was celebrated at Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville, NY. His Grace Luke, Bishop of Syracuse and monastery abbot, officiated the divine services: the All-Night Vigil on the eve of the feast, and Divine Liturgy together with the monastery clergy the following morning.

From Wednesday the 22nd to Saturday the 25th of November, the annual pastoral convocation of the clergy of the Diocese of Great Britain & Western Europe took place in the Church of the Nativity of Christ & St. Nicholas in Florence, Italy.

On Tuesday, November 21, the feast of the Holy Archangel of God Michael and the other Heavenly Bodiless Hosts, the clergy and parishioners of St. Michael Church in Wayne, NJ, celebrated their patronal feast day. Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York, First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad, celebrated Divine Liturgy in honor of the occasion.

On November 19, the 24th Sunday after Pentecost, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York paid an archpastoral visit to St. Nektarios Church in Lenoir City, TN. This visit was timed for the weekend preceding the parish’s patronal feast, which took place on Wednesday, November 22.

On Friday the 17th and Saturday the 18th of November, St. Tikhon Church in Blountville, TN jubilantly celebrated its patronal feast day ‒ kept annually on the anniversary of St. Tikhon’s election as Patriarch of Moscow & All Russia in 1917. This year, the celebrations were officiated by His Eminence Nicholas, Metropolitan of Eastern America & New York, First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad.

On Saturday the 28th and Sunday the 29th of October, the 25th annual pilgrimage of the parishioners of St. John the Baptist Cathedral in Washington, DC to Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville, NY took place in a spirit of thankful prayer to God.

On Friday evening, November 10, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York paid an archpastoral visit to Holy New Martyrs & Confessors of Russia Church in Norwich, CT, accompanied by the Protectress of the Russian Diaspora – the wonderworking Kursk Root Icon of the Mother of God.

On November 12, the 23rd Sunday after Pentecost, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York celebrated Divine Liturgy in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City.

On Sunday the 5th and Monday the 6th of November, the feast of the Icon of the Mother of God "Joy of All Who Sorrow," Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York paid an archpastoral visit to Cumming (Atlanta), GA, where he officiated the divine services in honor of the patronal feast of the city’s eponymous parish.

On Sunday, November 5, the feast of the Holy Apostle James, Brother of the Lord, Eastern American Diocesan vicar Bishop Luke of Syracuse celebrated the Divine Liturgy of St. James in Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville, NY.

On November 5, the 22nd Sunday after Pentecost, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York celebrated Divine Liturgy in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City.

On November 5, the 22nd Sunday after Pentecost and the feast of the Holy Apostle James, Brother of the Lord, His Grace, Bishop Jerome (Shaw) paid an archpastoral visit to Holy Virgin Protection Church in Nyack, NY, where he celebrated the Divine Liturgy of St. James in honor of the saint’s feast day.

The 30th North American Church Music Conference was very productive and a great success, uniting church choir directors, singers, and readers. Approximately 60 people gathered in the Ottawa, ON suburb of Kanata.

On Saturday, November 4, the feast of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York paid an archpastoral visit to Our Lady of Kazan Church in Newark, NJ, where he officiated its patronal feast day.

On Friday, November 3, the feast of Venerable Hilarion, Schemamonk of the Kiev Caves, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York performed an archpastoral visit to Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville, NY to honor the namesday of Metropolitan Hilarion (Kapral; +2022), sixth First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad.

On Tuesday, October 31, and Wednesday, November 1, His Eminence Nicholas, Metropolitan of Eastern America & New York, paid an archpastoral visit to the St. Elizabeth the New-Martyr Church in Columbia, SC. To the joy of the faithful, the First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad was accompanied by the Protectress of the Russian Diaspora – the wonderworking Kursk Root Icon of the Mother of God.

On October 29, the 21st Sunday after Pentecost, when the Holy Church honors the memory of the Holy Martyr Longinus the Centurion who stood at the Cross of our Lord, the First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York, celebrated Divine Liturgy in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City.

On Monday the 23rd and Tuesday the 24th of October, St. Joseph of Optina parish in Virginia Beach, VA experienced a miraculous event – a visit from the myrrh-streaming "Hawaiian" Iveron Icon of the Mother of God.

On October 22, the Sunday the Fathers of the Seventh Ecumenical Council, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York paid an archpastoral visit to Holy Fathers Church in New York City, where he celebrated Divine Liturgy on the occasion of the parish’s patronal feast day.

On Friday, October 6, Holy Trinity Publications hosted an event at a private club in Washington, DC to celebrate the release of Foundations of Russian Culture by Protopresbyter Alexander Schmemann. This is the first work of Fr. Alexander Schmemann’s to be released by Holy Trinity Publications.

In the city of North Port, FL, an important and spiritual significant event took place in the Church of the Pochaev Icon of the Mother of God – an event that will long be remembered by the faithful. Wednesday, October 18, was the day when the myrrh-streaming Hawaiian Icon of the Mother of God visited the community. This event united parishioners and granted them an opportunity greet the holy image with piety and prayer.

On Saturday, October 21, the feast of Venerable Pelagia the Penitent, at the invitation of His Grace Matthew, Bishop of Sourozh, Interim Administrator of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA & Canada, His Eminence Nicholas, Metropolitan of Eastern America & New York, First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad, celebrated Divine Liturgy in Three Hierarchs Church in Garfield, NJ on the occasion of the 125th anniversary of parish’s founding in 1898.

The Brotherhood of St. Dionysios in St. James, NY celebrated their patronal feast day on Monday, October 16th, with a visit from His Eminence Nicholas, Metropolitan of Eastern America & New York. The First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad brought with him the icon of the Mother of God "Joy of All Who Sorrow" to the joy and blessing of the brotherhood and parishioners.

From Friday the 13th through Sunday the 15th of October, Holy Virgin Protection Church in Nyack, NY celebrated its patronal feast, blessed by the presence of His Eminence, Metropolitan Nicholas, and His Grace, Bishop Jerome (Shaw), along with a host of visiting clergy and pilgrims taking advantage of this year’s weekend celebrations.

On October 15, the 19th Sunday after Pentecost and the day when the Holy Church honors the memory of Sts. Cyprian and Justina, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York celebrated Divine Liturgy in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City.

On Saturday, October 7, St. Thecla Church in Wheaton, MD celebrated its fifth patronal feast day. With the blessing of Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York, First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad, His Eminence, Metropolitan Jonah (Paffhausen), arrived to celebrate Divine Liturgy.

In the last days of the 30th Church Musicians' Conference in Ottawa, Canada, His Eminence Nicholas, Metropolitan of Eastern America & New York, First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad, celebrated Divine Liturgy on Sunday, October 8, the feast of Venerable Sergius of Radonezh, and on the eve prior officiated All-Night Vigil in the Church of Blessed Xenia of St. Petersburg in Kanata, ON.

On Sunday, October 8, the feast of the repose of Venerable Sergius, Abbot of Radonezh & Wonderworker of All Russia, His Grace, Bishop Jerome (Shaw), celebrated Divine Liturgy in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City, in honor of the patronal feast of St. Sergius Church at the Synodal Headquarters.

On October 1, the Sunday after the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, His Eminence Nicholas, Metropolitan of Eastern America & New York, First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad, celebrated Divine Liturgy at the Church of All Saints of the Russian Land in Burlingame, CA, the former summer residence of His Beatitude, the ever-memorable Metropolitan Anastassy (Gribanovsky; +1965).

St. John the Wonderworker Parish is building a new church in Winfield, PA, with groundbreaking being celebrated this week. Excavating and laying the foundation are scheduled to be done by Thanksgiving, with the building to be up and enclosed by early 2024 and hopefully occupancy by summer, according to church officers.

On Saturday, September 30, the feast of the Holy Martyrs Faith, Hope, Charity and their mother Sophia, a celebration of the 30th anniversary of the uncovering of the relics of the Holy Hierarch John, Archbishop of Shanghai & San Francisco the Wonderworker, took place in the Diocesan Cathedral of the Mother of God "Joy of All Who Sorrow" in San Francisco, CA.

On Thursday, September 21, the day of the great feast of the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos, the First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York, arrived at the New Kursk Root Hermitage in Mahopac, NY from the Synod to celebrate the parish’s patronal feast, greeted by the peal of bells.

On Tuesday the 26th and Wednesday the 27th of September, divine services were held in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City for the great feast of the Exaltation of the Cross of the Lord. Officiating the All-Night Vigil with the Rite of the Exaltation of the Cross was Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York, First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad.

One of the great feasts of the Church is the Exaltation of the Live-Giving Cross of the Lord. The Cross is the main symbol of our salvation. Upon it our Savior was crucified and died for our sins.

On Saturday the 23rd and Sunday the 24th of September, the afterfeast of the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos and the feast of the Glorification of Blessed Xenia of St. Petersburg (1978), Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York paid an archpastoral visit to St. Xenia Church in Methuen, MA on the occasion of their patronal feast. The parish just completed an extensive addition & renovation project, so it was a doubly blessed visit.

On Saturday the 23rd and Sunday the 24th of September, Holy Trinity Church in Mebane, NC hosted two most instructive lectures by Protodeacon Andrei Psarev, professor of Church History & Canon Law at Holy Trinity Orthodox Seminary in Jordanville, NY. Fr. Andrei is also the publisher of ROCOR Studies, a website dedicated to objective study and research of the history of the Russian Church Abroad.

On Sunday, September 24, the afterfeast of the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos, His Grace, Eastern American Diocesan vicar Bishop Luke of Syracuse, paid an archpastoral visit to the eponymous church in Albany, NY on the occasion of their recent patronal feast.

Having served Divine Liturgy today in the Synodal St. Sergius Chapel and beginning to attend to various matters in my office, I was informed of the bomb threat situation at our Holy Trinity Monastery. This caused me grief.

On Thursday, September 28, the Holy Church celebrates the memory of the Venerable Fathers and God-pleasing saints of the Kiev Caves Lavra, reposing in the Near Caves.

The first feast of the Church year is the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos. In his sermon for the feast, His Holiness, Patriarch Kyrill, pointed out that Orthodox Christians begin the Church year with the blessing of the Mother of God and finish the Church year with her blessing as well, celebrating the feast of Her Dormition.

From September 9th through the 11th, St. John the Baptist Cathedral in Washington, DC hosted celebrations in honor of the patronal feast of the American capital’s ROCOR parish.

On Sunday, September 17, the feast of Holy Prophet Moses the God-seer, the celebration of the 75th Anniversary of Holy Trinity Seminary concluded with the celebration of the Divine Liturgy in Holy Trinity Cathedral in Jordanville, NY.

On Saturday, September 16, the celebration of the 75th Anniversary of Holy Trinity Seminary in Jordanville, NY continued with an academic theological conference entitled "The Orthodox Christian Seminary in the 21st Century."

On Friday evening, September 15, a concert entitled "Bells, Choirs & Resounding Virtuosity" was held at the Christ Episcopal Church in Cooperstown, NY, beginning the celebrations dedicated to the 75th anniversary of Holy Trinity Seminary in Jordanville, NY.

On Monday the 11th and Tuesday the 12th of September, the clergy and parishioners of St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral marked their patronal feast day. This year, the celebrations were officiated by Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New Yorк

On Friday, September 8, after several months visiting the parishes and monastery of Western Europe, the wonderworking Kursk Root Icon of the Mother of God returned to her Home – the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City. The holy icon had visited the Diocese of Germany and neighboring dioceses.

On Saturday the 2nd and Sunday the 3rd of September, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York paid an archpastoral visit to St. Andrew Stratelates Cathedral in St. Petersburg, FL. His Eminence’s visit was timed in connection with the celebration of the parish’s patronal feast on September 1, the 75th anniversary of its founding, and the 30th anniversary of Archpriest Igor Chitikov’s rectorship.

On Sunday, September 10, the Holy Church celebrates the feast of the Uncovering of the Relics of Venerable Job of Pochaev in 1659. Due to the long Labor Day weekend, Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville, NY, holds a popular pilgrimage in honor of the beloved saint, one of the monastery’s Heavenly patrons. On the feast itself, however, the monks also serve All-Night Vigil and celebrate hierarchal Divine Liturgy in the lower Church of St. Job.

For decades, it has been the tradition of Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville, NY to hold a special popular celebration commemorating the Venerable and God-bearing Job of Pochaev, the Heavenly protector of the monastery’s publishing efforts, as well as honoring the wonderworking Pochaev Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos, over the long Labor Day Weekend.

On Thursday, August 31, the Orthodox Church commemorates the Holy Martyrs Florus and Laurus. This was the namesday of the much-beloved and ever-memorable Metropolitan Laurus (Škurla; +2008) and Archimandrite Flor (Vanko; +2012).

On Sunday the 27th and Monday the 28th of August, the great feast of the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos, with the blessing of Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York, Archbishop Gabriel of Montreal & Canada, paid an archpastoral visit to Holy Dormition Convent "Novo-Diveevo" in Nanuet, NY

The feast of the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos is celebrated very solemnly in Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville, NY. In recent years, the Burial of the Mother of God has been added to the monastery typicon.

On Thursday, August 31, the afterfeast of the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos and the feast of the Holy Martyrs Florus & Laurus, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York, First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad, celebrated Divine Liturgy in St. Alexander Nevsky Church at the Russian Archæological Excavations in Jerusalem.

On August 27, the 12th Sunday after Pentecost, Archbishop Gabriel of Montreal & Canada celebrated Divine Liturgy in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City

On Sunday the 27th and Monday the 28th of August, the great feast of the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos was greeted with special solemnity in the Gethsemane of Florida ‒ the Church of Our Lady of Pochaev in North Port.

On Saturday, August 26, the leavetaking of the feast of the Transfiguration of our Lord, the First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York, currently visiting the Holy Land on pilgrimage, celebrated Divine Liturgy in the Gorny Convent in Ein Karem.

On Saturday, August 19, the great feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord, His Grace, Eastern American Diocesan vicar Bishop Luke of Syracuse, celebrated Divine Liturgy in Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville, NY, co-served by monastery clergy.

On Tuesday, August 22, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York, First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad, arrived in Jerusalem and was greeted at Holy Ascension Convent on the Mount of Olives where, on the afterfeast of the Transfiguration of our Lord and the feast of Holy Apostle Matthias, His Eminence celebrated Divine Liturgy.

On August 20, the 11th Sundy after Pentecost and the afterfeast of the Transfiguration 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 Saturday, August 19, the great feast of the Transfiguration 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 August 19, the Orthodox Church celebrates the great feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord. This feast calls on every Christian to transform his life, to cleanse his soul of sins and passions, and to fill it with the light of repentance and love for God and neighbor.

On August 13, the 10th Sunday after Pentecost, the forefeast of the Procession of the Precious Wood of the Life-Creating Cross 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 the 11th and Saturday the 12th of August, St. Stephen the Protomartyr Church in Old Forge, PA celebrated the 40th anniversary of its founding. Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York arrived to officiate the divine services in honor of the parish’s milestone.

On Tuesday the 8th and Wednesday the 9th of August, His Eminence Nicholas, Metropolitan of Eastern America & New York, First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad, officiated the feast day celebrations of the Holy Great-Martyr and Healer Panteleimon, patron saint of Holy Cross Monastery in Wayne, WV.

On Tuesday the 8th and Wednesday the 9th of August, Eastern American Diocesan vicar Bishop Luke of Syracuse paid an archpastoral visit to St. Panteleimon Church in Hartford, CT, where he officiated the parish’s patronal feast day.

From Sunday the 16th to Saturday the 29th of July, the Synodal School of Liturgical Music (SSLM) held its 32nd annual summer session in the refurbished rooms and halls of the former Old Persons’ Home at Holy Dormition Convent "Novo-Diveevo" in Nanuet, NY.

On Saturday, August 5, the feast of the Pochaev Icon of the Mother of God, the clergy and faithful solemnly celebrated the patronal feast day of Our Lady of Pochaev Church in North Port, FL.

On Sunday, August 6, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York paid an archpastoral visit to St. Seraphim Camp in Blakeslee, PA, where he officiated the divine services and spent time interacting with campers.

On Saturday, August 5, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York visited St. Panteleimon Chapel on Lake Kittatinny in New Jersey. 

On Tuesday, August 1, the feast of Venerable Seraphim, Wonderworker of Sarov, a large number of believers gathered at St. Seraphim Memorial Church in Sea Cliff, NY, despite it being a weekday. The church was full of adults and young pilgrims

On Sunday, July 30, St. Basil the Great Church in Belle Vernon, PA celebrated the 40th anniversary of its founding. With the blessing of Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York, First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad, His Eminence, Metropolitan Jonah (Paffhausen) arrived to celebrate Divine Liturgy.

On Sunday, July 30, a multitude of diocesan clergy and faithful of the tristate area gathered for the annual celebrations and Divine Liturgy in St. Vladimir Memorial Church in Jackson, NJ, officiated by Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York.

On Friday, July 28, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York visited St. Sabbas Stavropegial Monastery in Harper Woods, MI.

On Thursday the 27th and Friday the 28th of July, at the invitation of His Eminence Peter, Archbishop of Chicago & Mid-America, His Eminence Nicholas, Metropolitan of Eastern American & New York, First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad, paid an archpastoral visit to St. Vladimir Church in Ann Arbor, MI, where he officiated the divine services for the parish’s patronal feast day.

On Thursday, July 20, His Eminence Nicholas, Metropolitan of Eastern America & New York, paid a brief visit to the summer camp of the Association of Russian Explorers Outside of Russia (NORR) in Woodbourne, NY

On Friday, July 28, when the Holy Church celebrates the memory of the baptizer and enlightener of Rus’, the Holy Equal-of-the-Apostles Great Prince Vladimir, the clergy of the New Jersey Deanery celebrated the patronal feast of St. Vladimir Memorial Church in Jackson, NJ.

On July 23, the 7th Sunday after Pentecost and the date when the Holy Church honors the memory of Venerable Anthony of the Kiev Caves, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York celebrated Divine Liturgy in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City.

On Monday the 17th and Tuesday the 18th of July, the parish of St. Elizabeth the New-Martyr Church in Columbia, SC celebrated its patronal feast day. The rector, Archpriest Mark Mancuso, officiated the divine services, co-served by clergy from across the Deanery of the Carolinas & Tennessee

On Saturday, July 22, the feast of Venerable Gabriel, Abbot of St. Elijah Skete on Mount Athos & Wonderworker of Odessa, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York celebrated Divine Liturgy in Holy New Martyrs & Confessors of Russia Church in Brooklyn, NY.

From Thursday the 13th through Sunday the 16th of July, the New York "Tsarskoe Selo" Chapter of the St. George Pathfinders of America held its celebrations in honor of its founding on January 20, 1948 by Scoutmaster Andrew V. Ilyinsky.

On Tuesday, July 18, when the Holy Church commemorates the Finding of the Relics of Venerable Sergius, Abbot of Radonezh, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York celebrated Divine Liturgy for the patronal feast of St. Sergius English Mission at the Synodal Headquarters in New York City.

From Friday the 14th to Monday the 17th of July, His Eminence Nicholas, Metropolitan of Eastern America & New York, First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad, visited the clergy and faithful of the Nativity of Christ Old Rite Community in Erie, PA. His Eminence was accompanied by His Grace John, Bishop of Caracas & South America.

On Thursday, July 13, His Eminence Nicholas, Metropolitan of Eastern America & New York, First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad, visited the Orthodox Church in America’s historic Holy Trinity Diocesan Cathedral in Chicago, IL.

On Thursday, July 13, His Eminence Nicholas, Metropolitan of Eastern America & New York, First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad, visited the ORPR Diocesan Youth Camp in Rock City, IL. This was His Eminence’s first visit to a children’s camp since his election as Primate.

On June 29/July 12, the Holy Church commemorates the Holy Preeminent Apostles Peter & Paul. On this day in 2003, Archimandrite Peter (Loukianoff) was ordained Bishop of Cleveland, vicar of the Diocese of Chicago & Detroit (now the Diocese of Chicago & Mid-America) at the diocesan cathedral of the Protection of the Mother of God in Des Plaines (Chicago), IL.

On Sunday, June 25, a benevolent concert to benefit those in need and victims of the war in Ukraine was held in the cathedral hall of the Synod of Bishops in New York City. The concert was planned a year ago, at the end of May, and received the blessing of Metropolitan Hilarion of blessed repose.

On Saturday the 8th and Sunday the 9th of July, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York paid an archpastoral visit to Our Lady of Tikhvin Church in Howell, NJ, on the occasion of its patronal feast day.

On Thursday the 6th and Friday the 7th of July, the feast of the Nativity of the Holy Prophet, Forerunner, and Baptist of the Lord John, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York paid an archpastoral visit to St. John the Baptist Cathedral in Mayfield, PA, where he officiated the divine services in honor of the parish’s patronal feast day.

On Saturday the 1st and Sunday the 2nd of July, the feast day of the Holy Hierarch John of Shanghai & San Francisco, Eastern American Diocesan vicar Bishop Luke of Syracuse paid an archpastoral visit to St. John the Wonderworker Mission in Lewisburg, PA, where he officiated the divine services in honor of the mission’s patronal feast.

On Sunday, June 25, the Apostolic Mission of Christ, under the protection of the Holy Apostles, in Miami, FL, celebrated the 40th anniversary of its founding. His Eminence, Metropolitan Jonah (Paffhausen), paid an archpastoral visit to the parish in honor of the event, and celebrated Divine Liturgy.

On Saturday the 1st and Sunday the 2nd of July, the 4th Sunday after Pentecost, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York officiated the divine services in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City.

Preparations for Sunday, July 2, the feast of the Holy Hierarch John of Shanghai & San Francisco, mobilized all the parishioners of Paroisse Saint Jean de Shanghai et de San Francisco in Les Cayes, Haiti. The priest, Fr. Pierre Laguerre, held many services throughout the preceding week, and two children and a young adult were baptized the day before the feast.

On Thursday, June, 8 a new skete was officially opened in Coconut Creek, FL. Holy Great Martyr & Healer Panteleimon Skete is a dependency of the Monastery of the Glorious Ascension in Resaca, GA.

On Sunday, July 2, the community of Misión San Juan de Shanghai y San Francisco in Matagalpa, Nicaragua, had the joy of celebrating its patronal feast – the commemoration of the Holy Hierarch John. With a prayerful attitude, the clergy and faithful began the services in preparation for Divine Liturgy, being embellished by the choir of young people.

On Thursday, 29 June, the feast of the Holy Hierach Tychon, Bishop of Amathus, the Holy Martyrs Tygrius the Priest and Eutopius the Reader, Venerable Tychon of Kaluga and Moses of Optina, the Hieromartyr Hermogenes, Bishop of Tobolsk...

On June 25, the 3rd Sunday after Pentecost, and the date when the Holy Church also commemorates the Venerable Onuphrius the Great, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York celebrated Divine Liturgy in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City.

On June 18, the Second Sunday after Pentecost, that of All Saints who have Shone Forth in the Russian Land, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York performed an archpastoral visit to St. Luke the Blessed Surgeon Church in Pompano Beach, FL.

On Saturday the 17th and Sunday the 18th of June, the Sunday of All Saints who have Shone Forth in the Russian Land, Eastern American Diocesan vicar Bishop Luke of Syracuse came from Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville, NY to Saints Theodore Church in Buffalo, NY

On June 18, the 2nd Sunday after Pentecost, that of All Saints who have shone forth in the Russian Land, Archbishop Gabriel of Montreal & Canada celebrated Divine Liturgy in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sig in New York City.

On June 11, the 1st Sunday after Pentecost, that of All Saints, His Eminence Nicholas, Metropolitan of Eastern America & New York, celebrated Divine Liturgy in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City.

On Friday the 9th and Saturday the 10th of June, His Eminence Nicholas, Metropolitan of Eastern America & New York, officiated the hierarchal divine services in honor of the patronal feast of St. John the Russian Church in Ipswich, MA.

On Saturday the 3rd and Sunday the 4th of June, the great feast of Pentecost was celebrated in Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville with the usual solemnity. In preparation for the feast, Holy Trinity Cathedral was decorated with green saplings and bouquets of flowers.

On Saturday the 3rd and Sunday the 4th of June, the great feast of Holy Pentecost, His Eminence Nicholas, Metropolitan of Eastern America & New York, officiated the hierarchal divine services in honor of the patronal feast of Holy Trinity Church in Mebane, NC.

On Saturday the 3rd and Sunday the 4th of June, the great feast of the Descent of the Holy Spirit on the Apostles – Pentecost, Holy Trinity Church in Vineland, NJ celebrated its patronal feast day. Archpriest Ljubo Milosevic officiated the divine services – All-Night Vigil on Saturday evening and Divine Liturgy and Great Vespers with the Kneeling Prayers on Sunday morning.

On Sunday, June 4, the great feast of Holy Pentecost, the faithful gathered at St. Vladimir Cemetery in Jackson, NJ for a panihida at St. John the Baptist Chapel to commemorate the victims of Lienz. Archpriest Boris Slootsky (cleric of St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in Howell, NJ), led the panihida.

The 75th school year at Holy Trinity Seminary in Jordanville, NY has been successfully completed, and on May 28, the 7th Sunday after Pascha – that of the Holy Fathers of the 1st Ecumenical Council, the seminary celebrated its annual commencement.

On May 29, the Monday of the 7th week after Pascha, coinciding with the observance of Memorial Day, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York, First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad, visited St. Tikhon Stavropegial Monastery of the Orthodox Church in America in South Canaan, PA.

On Wednesday the 24th and Thursday the 25th of May, the great feast of the Lord’s Ascension, His Eminence Nicholas, Metropolitan of Eastern America & New York, officiated the hierarchal divine services at Christ the Savior Church in Wayne, WV. The visit of the First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad was timed for the celebrations marking the 20th anniversary of the parish’s founding.

On Thursday, May 25, the great feast of the Ascension of the Lord, the Monastery of the Glorious Ascension in Resaca, GA celebrated its patronal feast day. Monastery abbot Archimandrite Maximos (Weimar) celebrated the festal Divine Liturgy

On Wednesday, May 24 – the Apodosis of Pascha – the grace of God was poured out with overwhelming abundance on the brotherhood of Holy Cross Monastery in Wayne, WV. The First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York, presided at hierarchal Divine Liturgy, which was festively served (according to ancient custom) exactly as on Holy Pascha itself.

On May 21, the Sunday of the Blind Man, His Eminence Nicholas, Metropolitan of Eastern America & New York, paid an archpastoral visit to Sts. Cyril & Methodius Church in Summerville, SC. That weekend, the parish was celebrating not only the appointed feasts of the day and Sunday, but also the 50th anniversary of its founding and the upcoming patronal feast of the Holy Equals-of-the-Apostles Cyril and Methodius, Teachers of the Slavs ‒ May 24.

Thursday, May 25, the great feast of the Ascension of the Lord, marked the fifth anniversary of the blessed repose of Protopresbyter Valery Lukianov, longtime rector of St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in Howell, NJ. Parish and local clergy gathered to honor the feast and pray for the eminent cleric’s soul.

On Saturday the 27th and Sunday the 28th of May, Brisbane celebrated the 100th anniversary of the first Orthodox parish in Australia. Hundreds of parishioners of this and other Orthodox churches from different cities of Australia and invited high-ranking guests gathered at St Nicholas Cathedral. The service was attended by three bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia and about 70 clergy. Orthodox Christians of Brisbane had never seen such a large-scale event.

On May 21, the Sunday of the Blind Man, His Grace, Bishop Jerome (Shaw), paid an archpastoral visit to St. Nicholas Church in Poughkeepsie, NY. The hierarchal service was timed to coincide with the parish’s patronal feast day, which would take place the following day, May 22.

On Saturday, May 13, His Grace Luke, Bishop of Syracuse, vicar of the Eastern American Diocese and abbot of Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville, NY, arrived in Australia to take part in the celebrations of the centennial anniversary of the founding of Saint Nicholas Cathedral in Brisbane, Queensland.

On Saturday, May 13, the Russian School at St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in Howell, NJ held its graduation ceremony. The students and faculty first assembled in the cathedral for a thanksgiving moleben.

On Thursday, May 18, the feast of the icon of the Mother of God "The Inexhaustible Chalice," Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York paid an archpastoral visit to the eponymous stavropegial metochion church in Brooklyn, NY, in honor of its patronal feast day.

On Saturday the 6th and Sunday the 7th of May, the Sunday of the Paralytic, the Youth Choir – under the direction of Gregory Ivanov – sang at the All-Night Vigil and Divine Liturgy in the Nativity of the Mother of God Church at the New Kursk Root Hermitage in Mahopac, NY.

On Tuesday, May 16, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York performed an archpastoral visit to Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville, NY to commemorate the first anniversary of the repose of Metropolitan Hilarion (Kapral), sixth First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad.

On Monday, May 15, His Eminence Nicholas, Metropolitan of Eastern America & New York, received His Eminence Niphon, Metropolitan of Philippopolis, representative of His Beatitude John X, Patriarch of Antioch & All the East, to His Holiness the Patriarch of Moscow & All Russia, at his residence in New York City.

On Tuesday, May 16, the Russian Church Abroad commemorated the blessed repose of its First Hierarch, His Eminence, Metropolitan Hilarion (Kapral).

On May 14, the 5th Sunday after Pascha, that of the Samaritan Woman, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York celebrated Divine Liturgy in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City.

On Saturday, May 13, His Eminence Nicholas, Metropolitan of Eastern America & New York, First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad, participated in the festive reception for the enthronement of His Eminence, Metropolitan Saba, as primate of the Antiochian Archdiocese of North America.

On May 7th, the Sunday of the Paralytic, the clergy and parishioners of St. Matrona Mission celebrated the first Divine Liturgy and patronal feast day at their new location in Lexington, KY. With the blessing of His Eminence Nicholas, Metropolitan of Eastern America & New York, the parish transferred the celebration of the feast of St. Matrona of Moscow from May 2nd to that Sunday.

On Friday, May 12, the Eastern American Diocese Assembly was held at Holy Virgin Protection Church in Nyack, NY. Officiating the Assembly was the Diocese’s Ruling Bishop, His Eminence Nicholas, Metropolitan of Eastern America & New York, First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad.

We have gathered during these Paschal days for the first time in five years. I am glad we are able to meet and hope that we will be able to discuss our diocesan affairs for the benefit of all.

On April 30, the Sunday of the Myrrh-bearing Women, Protodeacon Andrei Psarev, professor of Holy Trinity Orthodox Seminary in Jordanville, NY, concelebrated at Divine Liturgy with the clergy of Holy Presentation Church in Stratford, CT, and after lunch delivered a lecture for parishioners and guests entitled "The History of the Russian Orthodox Church: Part II – the Muscovite Period."

After serving Divine Liturgy on Sunday, May 7, Archpriest Victor Potapov (rector of St. John the Baptist Cathedral in Washington, DC) received a call from a parishioner who had been at the capital’s Rock Creek Cemetery visiting the grave of her son. She informed Fr. Victor that the Iveron Cemetery Chapel had been vandalized.

The Synod of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia held its regular teleconference on Thursday, May 4, chaired by its Primate, His Eminence Nicholas, Metropolitan of Eastern America & New York. During his first visit as First Hierarch to Germany

On Saturday, May 6, the feast day of the Holy Great-Martyr & Trophy-Bearer George, St. George Cossack Church in Howell, NJ celebrated its patronal feast.

On April 30, the Sunday of the Myrrh-bearing Women, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York performed an archpastoral visit to Holy Myrrhbearers Church in Brooklyn, NY, where he celebrated Divine Liturgy on the occasion of the parish’s patronal feast.

On April 30, the 3rd Sunday of Pascha, dedicated to the Holy Myrrh-bearing Women, His Grace, Bishop Jerome, paid an archpastoral visit to Holy Virgin Protection Church in Nyack, NY, where he celebrated Divine Liturgy. The visit to the Nyack parish on this weekend has become an annual tradition for the retired diocesan vicar.

On Friday the 28th and Saturday the 29th of April, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York visited St. Panteleimon Church in Hartford, CT, where he officiated the solemn divine services on the occasion of the 65th anniversary of the founding of the parish.

On April 23, the 2nd Sunday of Pascha, dedicated to the Holy Apostle Thomas, Archbishop Gabriel of Montreal & Canada celebrated Divine Liturgy in St. Seraphim Cathedral of Holy Dormition Convent "Novo-Diveevo" in Nanuet, NY.

On Thomas Sunday, April 23 ‒ the feast of Antipascha – the patronal festal celebrations of Holy Resurrection Diocesan Cathedral in Buenos Aires, Argentina were officiated by the First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York, who arrived from New York accompanied by the Protectress of the Russian Diaspora – the wonderworking Kursk Root Icon of the Mother of God.

On Thomas Sunday, April 23, local faithful and members of the Kuban Cossack Voisko gathered at St. Vladimir Cemetery in Jackson, NJ, for the traditional "Krasnaya Gorka" celebrations – when believers, radiant with Paschal joy, come to the cemeteries to pray for their departed relatives in the hope of the general resurrection.

NEW PHOTOS! The Diocesan Media Office will publish photo-reports of Holy Week & the Feast of feasts – the Lord’s Pascha in the parishes and monasteries of the Eastern American Diocese on the diocesan website. 

On Bright Saturday, April 22, clergy of the New Jersey Deanery gathered at St. Vladimir Memorial Church in Jackson, NJ, where they celebrated Divine Liturgy.

On Bright Monday, April 17, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York paid an archpastoral visit to St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in Howell, NJ, where he celebrated Divine Liturgy. At the entrance to the cathedral, His Eminence was greeted by the gathered clergy and students of the parish Russian School.

On the night of Sunday, April 16, the clergy and parishioners of the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City celebrated the principal feast of the Christian world – Christ’s Glorious Resurrection.

On Great Saturday, April 15, when the Orthodox Church commemorates the bodily burial of Jesus Christ and His descent into Hades, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York celebrated the Divine Liturgy in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City

With a sense of Paschal joy and special spiritual closeness, despite the distances separating us, I greet you, Eminent Brother-Archpastors, reverend fathers, dear brothers and sisters scattered throughout the world, on this great and light-bearing day of the Pascha of Christ!

I address all of you, Orthodox Christians living in many countries of the world, who are now in churches or praying in your homes, to extend greetings to you on the great feast of Holy Pascha with my heart full of spiritual joy, and to proclaim victoriously in accord with ancient tradition:

On Great & Holy Friday, April 14, when the Holy Church commemorates the holy, salvific, terrible suffering and death of our Lord Jesus Christ, divine services in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City were officiated by His Eminence Nicholas, Metropolitan of Eastern America & New York...

On Great and Holy Wednesday, April 12, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York celebrated the final Liturgy of Presanctified Gifts for this year in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City. Concelebrating with His Eminence were Archpriest Andrei Sommer (cathedral dean), Archpriest Serafim Gan (chancellor of the Synod of Bishops), and cathedral clerics.

On the great feast of the Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem (Palm Sunday), Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York officiated All-Night Vigil on Saturday the 8th and celebrated Divine Liturgy on Sunday the 9th of April in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City.

On Saturday, April 8, the feast of the Raising of the Righteous Lazarus, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York paid an archpastoral visit to Holy Dormition Convent "Novo-Diveevo" in Nanuet, NY, and celebrated Divine Liturgy there.

On Friday evening, April 7, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York officiated the Sacrament of Holy Unction in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City.

On Friday, April 7, 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, where he celebrated Divine Liturgy in honor of the parish’s patronal feast day.

Having gathered in Saint Mary of Egypt Church in Atlanta, Georgia, for the Lenten retreat and conference of clergy of the southern deaneries of the Eastern American Diocese, we, clergy and monastics, spending the past two days in fraternal interaction, attending the divine services and communing of Christ’s Holy Mysteries

On Saturday the 1st and Sunday the 2nd of April, the feast of Venerable Mary of Egypt, His Eminence Nicholas, Metropolitan of Eastern America & New York, paid an archpastoral visit to St. Mary of Egypt Church in Roswell (Atlanta), GA, and officiated the divine services on the occasion of its patronal feast day.

On Friday, March 31, and Saturday, April 1, the feast of the Laudation of the Most Holy Theotokos, His Eminence Nicholas, Metropolitan of Eastern America & New York paid an archpastoral visit to the Church of Our Lady "Joy of All Who Sorrow" in Cumming (Atlanta), GA.

On Wednesday, April 5, 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 Tuesday, April 4, clergymen 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, March 25, His Eminence Nicholas, Metropolitan of Eastern America & New York, First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad, arrived in Washington, DC, to officiate the divine services for the 4th Sunday of Great Lent and the first Unction service of the Fast for parishioners of the capital’s St. John the Baptist Cathedral (the second will take place on Sunday, April 2).

On March 26, the fourth Sunday of Great Lent, dedicated to Venerable John Climacus, the clergy and faithful of the New Jersey Deanery gathered at St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in Howell, NJ for Divine Liturgy and later, after a fellowship luncheon, to receive the Sacrament of Holy Unction.

On Thursday the 23rd and Friday the 24th of March, St. Nicholas Patriarchal Cathedral in New York City hosted a performance of the musical work "Kanon Pokajanen" ("Penitential Canon") by Estonian composer Arvo Pärt.

Almost two and a half years after breaking ground, the local building inspection office granted the parish of Holy Myrrhbearers Church in Harrisonburg, VA a temporary occupancy permit, allowing them to move into their new church edifice at 5004 Cross Keys Road, Mount Crawford, VA. It is only seven minutes from where they had been renting, just outside the city limits of Harrisonburg.

Having gathered in Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville, New York, for the Lenten retreat and conference of clergy of the northern deaneries of the Eastern American Diocese, we, clergy and monastics, having bowed down in worship before the Cross, communed of the Holy Mysteries, and honored the memory of the 40 Martyrs of Sebaste, raised up our prayers for the flock entrusted to us.

On Wednesday, March 22, the feast of the Holy 40 Martyrs of Sebaste, 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 March 19, the Sunday of the Cross, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York celebrated Divine Liturgy in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City.

On Friday, March 17, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York paid an archpastoral visit to St. Michael Church in Wayne, NJ, where he performed the Sacrament of Holy Unction.

On Tuesday, March 21, clergymen of the Eastern American Diocese flocked to Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville, NY for the start of the Northern Great Lenten Clergy Retreat.

On March 19, the Sunday of the Cross, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York performed the Sacrament of Holy Unction in Holy Myrrhbearers Church in Brooklyn, NY.

On Thursday, March 16, the 15th anniversary of the repose of Metropolitan Laurus (Škurla) 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 12, the second Sunday of Great Lent, that dedicated to the Holy Hierarch Gregory Palamas, His Eminence Nicholas, Metropolitan of Eastern America & New York, paid an archpastoral visit to Protection of the Mother of God Church in Rochester, NY ‒ his first visit in the rank of Metropolitan.

On March 5, the Sunday of the Triumph of Orthodoxy, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York celebrated Divine Liturgy and officiated the Rite of Orthodoxy in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City.

During the first week of Great Lent, February 27- March 3, the full cycle of divine services was held in Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville, NY. Leading the reading of the Great Penitential Canon of St. Andrew of Crete in the evenings, as well as the Divine Liturgies of the Presanctified Gifts, was Eastern American Diocesan vicar Bishop Luke of Syracuse.

With the start of Great Lent, the divine services with the reading of the Great Canon of St. Andrew of Crete were held in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City. On Monday, February 27, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York officiated Great Compline with the reading of the Great Canon.

Online registration for the 2023 Lenten Retreat for clergy of the Eastern American Diocese has opened on the diocesan website. 

On Clean Monday, February 27, the Orthodox Church entered the period of Great and Holy Lent. Lent ‒ also known as the springtime of the soul ‒ is a special time of repentance and cleansing of man’s soul.

On Cheesefare Sunday, February 25, 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.

In 2018, for the first time, I had a chance to talk about the history of the ROCOR, Byzantine imperial history, and Church law in the English-language community of St. Nektarios of Aegina in Lenoir City (Knoxville), TN. During that meeting, I recorded an interview with the parish rector, Archpriest Job Watts.

On Thursday, February 23, a regular session of the Synod of Bishops convened via videoconference, presided over by His Eminence Nicholas, Metropolitan of Eastern America & New York, First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad.

On February 19, Meatfare Sunday, that of the Dread Judgement, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York celebrated Divine Liturgy in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City.

On February 12 ‒ the Sunday of the Prodigal Son and the date when the Holy Church honors the Synaxis of the Three Great Hierarchs and Universal Teachers Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian, and John Chrysostom ‒ Three Hierarchs Church in Hollywood, FL celebrated its patronal feast day. The day before the feast, parishioners spent a Saturday workday preparing the church and adorning their patronal icon.

On Thursday, February 16, the feast day of the Holy Equal-of-the-Apostles Nicholas, Archbishop of Japan, the namesday of the First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York was solemnly celebrated in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City.

On Wednesday, February 15, the great feast of the Meeting of the Lord, Bishop Theodosius of Seattle, first vicar of the Western American Diocese, celebrated Divine Liturgy in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City.

On Wednesday, February 15, the great feast of the Meeting of the Lord, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York, First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad, paid an archpastoral visit to Holy Presentation Church in Stratford, CT, and officiated the divine services for the parish’s patronal feast day.

This year, the feast of the Three Great and Holy Hierarchs – Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian, and John Chrysostom ‒ the patronal feast of Holy Trinity Seminary in Jordanville, NY ‒ was celebrated with special solemnity. This year marks the 75th anniversary of the seminary, and to mark the occasion, the First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad – His Eminence Nicholas, Metropolitan of Eastern America & New York, arrived to officiate the divine services.

On Saturday the 11th and Sunday the 12th of February, the Sunday of the Prodigal Son and the day when the Holy Church honors the Synaxis of the Ecumenical Teachers and Hierarchs ‒ Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian, and John Chrysostom ‒ Bishop Theodosius of Seattle, first vicar of the Western American Diocese, paid his first archpastoral visit to St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in Howell, NJ.

The Eastern American Diocesan Council held its quarterly meeting on Friday, February 3, in a remote, online format. Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York opened the meeting and, after a prayer, welcomed the Council members.

On Sunday, February 5, the Holy Church honors the memory of the synaxis of New Martyrs & Confessors of Russia. Prior to the start of Divine Liturgy in the Church of the Holy New Martyrs & Confessors of Russia Church in Brooklyn, NY, the clergy and faithful greeted the wonderworking Kursk Root Icon of the Mother of God. On the occasion of the parish’s patronal feast, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York arrived to celebrate the festal Liturgy...

On Friday evening, February 3, with the blessing of His Grace, Eastern American Diocesan vicar Bishop Luke of Syracuse, Priest Joseph Farooq (rector of St. Michael the Archangel Mission in Sargodha, Pakistan) delivered a presentation on the life of the Pakistan Mission to students of Holy Trinity Seminary in Jordanville, NY.

On Sunday, January 29, the feast of the Veneration of the Precious Chains of the Holy Apostle Peter, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York performed an archpastoral visit to St. Luke the Blessed Surgeon Church in Pompano Beach, FL.

On Saturday the 28th and Sunday the 29th of January, the Sunday of Zacchæus, a youth choir comprised of choristers from parishes of the Eastern American Diocese in New York and New Jersey visited St. Seraphim Memorial Church in Sea Cliff, NY.

On Saturday, January 28, the feast of Venerable Paul of Thebes and John Calabytes, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York performed an archpastoral visit to St. Vladimir Church in Miami, FL, where he celebrated Divine Liturgy.

On Friday, January 27, His Eminence Nicholas, Metropolitan of Eastern America & New York, paid an archpastoral visit to Paideia Classical Academy in Coconut Creek and the Apostolic Mission of Christ Parish in Miami, FL. This was His Eminence’s first visit to the area since his election as First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad.

On Sunday, January 29, the feast of the Veneration of the Precious Chains of the Holy Apostle Peter, Divine Liturgy was celebrated in St. John of Kronstadt Memorial Church in Utica, NY by parish rector Archpriest Michael Taratuchin.

On Thursday, January 26, Our Lady of Pochaev Church in North Port, FL received a visit from the great and holy wonderworking Kursk Root Icon of the Mother of God.

On Saturday the 21st and Sunday the 22nd of January, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York, paid an archpastoral visit to Holy Epiphany Church in Roslindale (Boston), MA, where he officiated the festal divine services. His Eminence’s visit was timed to coincide with the parish’s patronal feast day – the great feast of the Lord’s Theophany, which had been celebrated three days prior.

The great feast of the Baptism of the Lord (Theophany) was celebrated in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City. Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York officiated the All-Night Vigil on Wednesday the 18th and celebrated Divine Liturgy on Thursday the 19th of January.

On Sunday, January 15, Holy Virgin Protection Russian School in Nyack, NY held its annual Yolka celebration. As in years before, the children of the school diligently worked since October to present the play "By the Wish of the Pike," a fanciful morality play representing the importance of honesty and good deeds by your own hands.

On Saturday, January 14, the feast of the Circumcision of the Lord and the Holy Hierarch Basil the Great, His Eminence Nicholas, Metropolitan of Eastern America & New York, paid an archpastoral visit to St. Basil Church in Simpson, PA, where he celebrated Divine Liturgy on the occasion of the parish’s patronal feast day.

On Sunday, January 15, the commemoration of the Repose and Second Finding of the Relics of Venerable Seraphim of Sarov, Archbishop Gabriel of Montreal & Canada visited Holy Dormition Convent "Novo-Diveevo" in Nanuet, NY, on the occasion of the patronal feast day of its main St. Seraphim Cathedral, and celebrated festal Divine Liturgy.

The great feast of the Lord’s Theophany was celebrated in our Lady of Pochaev Church in North Port, FL.

On January 15, the 31st Sunday after Pentecost, that before Theophany, and the date when the Holy Church honors the memory of Venerable Seraphim of Sarov, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York celebrated Divine Liturgy in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City

The joyous feast of Christ’s Nativity was prayerfully celebrated in Our Lady of Pochaev Church in North Port, FL.

On Monday, January 9, His Eminence Nicholas, Metropolitan of Eastern American & New York, paid his first official visit following his election as First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad to the Mid-American Diocese. His Eminence accompanied the wonderworking Kursk Root Icon of the Mother of God on his visit, to the joy of the local faithful.

On January 8, the 30th Sunday after Pentecost and the Sunday after the Nativity of Christ, when the Holy Church celebrates the Synaxis of the Most Holy Theotokos and honors the memory of St. Joseph the Betrothed, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York celebrated Divine Liturgy in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City.

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. 

This year, the celebration of the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ in Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville, NY was festive as usual, however without the snow that usually typifies the feast.

On Saturday, January 7, the great feast of the Nativity of Christ, a multitude of parishioners and faithful from other churches in the city gathered in the cathedral; in comparison with past years, many more families were in attendance with their children. All came to express their love for the newborn Divine Infant Christ.

Today, as the Heavenly and earthly Church in conciliar unity glorifies God Incarnate, I extend my heartfelt greetings to all of you on the great and radiant feast of the Nativity of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

In these days of great joy, the thoughts of the archpastors, pastors, monastics, parishioners, and faithful of the churches and monasteries of our dioceses, scattered like God’s wheat over the vast earth, meet in the meek Bethlehem cave, in the semi-darkness of which was lit the unquenchable Light of the world ‒ our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God!

On behalf of the episcopate and the fullness of the Russian Church Abroad, I hasten to fraternally assure you of our common love, support, and prayers for the speedy overcoming of the present difficult ordeals which have befallen you, your monastic brethren

On January 1, 2023, the 29th Sunday after Pentecost and that before Christ’s Nativity, dedicated to the Holy Fathers, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York celebrated the first Divine Liturgy of the calendar year in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City.

As the 2022 year departs, the Media Office of the Eastern American Diocese would like to share some of the year’s top stories with our readers. Below you will find articles on the principal and defining events in the life of the Diocese over the last year.

On Wednesday, December 29, His Eminence Nicholas, Metropolitan of Eastern America & New York, First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad, visited the chancery of the North American Archdiocese of the Antiochian Orthodox Church in Englewood, NJ.

With God’s help, on Thursday, December 22, the brethren of Our Lady of Pochaev Church in North Port, FL, led by the rector, Archimandrite Stefan (Khilchuk), visited the First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad, His Eminence, Metropolitan Nicholas, as well as the Jordanville and Novo-Diveevo monasteries in New York State.

On December 25, the Sunday of the Holy Forefathers and feast of Venerable Herman of Alaska, the St. Herman Youth Conference continued in Holy Trinity Church in Vineland, NJ with hierarchal Divine Liturgy, celebrated by the First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York.

On Monday, December 19, the feast of Holy Hierarch Nicholas, Wonderworker of Myra in Lycia, Eastern American Diocesan vicar Bishop Luke of Syracuse celebrated Divine Liturgy in Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville, NY.

On Friday, December 23, the 43rd Annual St. Herman’s Youth Conference opened at Holy Trinity Church in Vineland, NJ. This year, over 120 young people are taking part in the conference from the Eastern American Diocese, as well as some traveling thousands of miles from faraway Canada and Australia.

On Monday, December 19, when the Holy Church celebrates the memory of the Holy Hierarch Nicholas the Wonderworker, Archbishop of Myra in Lycia, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York paid an archpastoral visit to St. Nicholas Church in Poughkeepsie, NY, where he celebrated Divine Liturgy on the occasion of the parish’s lesser patronal feast.

On Monday, December 19, the feast of the Holy Hierarch Nicholas, Wonderworker of Myra in Lycia, His Grace, Bishop Jerome (Shaw), paid an archpastoral visit to St. Nicholas Church in Stratford, CT, where he celebrated Divine Liturgy on the occasion of the parish’s patronal feast.

The Orthodox Christian experience is given to us as an uninterrupted project, as an unfinished reality. Since we struggle until the end of our lives with the help and consolation of God, starting from this spiritual reality, the life of the Holy Hierarch Nicholas of Myra in Lycia never stops impacting us

On December 18, the 27th Sunday after Pentecost, when the Holy Church honors the memory of Venerable Sabbas the Sanctified, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York celebrated Divine Liturgy in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City.

On Monday the 5th and Tuesday the 6th of December, Moscow Theological Academy hosted the 2nd Seminar of the Society of Canon Law Teachers & Researchers, which was combined with a specialized advanced training program in Topical Problems of Teaching & Studying Canon Law Disciplines.

On December 11, the 26th Sunday after Pentecost, 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, co-served by Archbishops Gabriel of Montreal & Canada and Peter of Chicagsky & Mid-America.

On Wednesday, December 13, the parish of St. Andrew Naval Cathedral in Philadelphia, PA marked its patronal feast day.

On Saturday, December 10, Bishop Luke of Syracuse, having taken part in the Synodal celebrations in New York City, arrived at St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in Howell, NJ, where he officiated the All-Night Vigil. The wonderworking Pochaev Icon of the Mother of God visited from Jordanville for the divine service.

On Friday the 9th and Saturday the 10th of December, after the Synod of Bishops completed its regular session, festal divine services were held in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City in honor of the cathedral’s patronal feast – that of the Kursk Root Icon of the Mother of God "of the Sign."

On Thursday, December 8, the Leavetaking of the Feast of the Entry of the Most Holy Theotokos into the Temple, a regular session of the Synod of Bishops convened by video connection, presided over by His Eminence Nicholas, Metropolitan of Eastern America & New York, First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad.

On Saturday, December 10, the entirety of the Russian Church Abroad prayerfully celebrated the feast of the Kursk Root Icon oof the Mother of God. She is truly called the Protectress of the Russian Diaspora, the directress of all those who were forced to leave their homeland and move "to a far country" (Luke 15:13). Nor is the significance of this icon any lesser for today’s immigrants from Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus.

On Monday the 5th and Sunday the 6th of December, the feast of the Holy Right-Believing Great Prince Alexander Nevsky, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York paid an archpastoral visit to St. Alexander Nevsky Memorial Church in Richmond, ME, where he officiated the divine services in honor of the parish’s patronal feast.

On Saturday the 3rd and Sunday the 4th of December, the great feast of the Entrance of the Theotokos into the Temple, Archbishop Gabriel of Montreal & Canada officiated the festal divine services in Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville, NY.

As we prepare for the feast of "great joy" (Luke 2:10), I fraternally kiss Your Beatitude and send my very most heartfelt greetings on the 32nd anniversary of your episcopal consecration, along with my best wishes for your firm health, boldness of spirit, and your peace and tranquility, as one who is revered throughout the entire Orthodox world!

On Friday, December 2, the Eastern American Diocesan Council held its regular quarterly meeting in a remote online format. The Council had a busy agenda and met for over three hours, under the presidency of His Eminence Nicholas, Metropolitan of Eastern America & New York, First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad.

On Sunday, December 4 – the great feast of the Entry into the Temple of the Most Holy Theotokos – Eastern American Diocesan vicar Bishop Luke of Syracuse paid an archpastoral visit to the Church of the Entrance into the Temple of the Holy Virgin (St. Mary’s) in Jamesville-Syracuse, NY, where he celebrated Divine Liturgy in honor of the parish’s patronal feast day.

On Sunday, December 4, the great feast of the Entry of the Most Holy Theotokos into the Temple, Deacon Nectarios Yangson, guardian of the myrrh-streaming "Hawaiian" Iveron Icon of the Mother of God, was ordained to the holy priesthood.

The clergy and faithful of the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City celebrated the great feast of the Entry of the Most Holy Theotokos into the Temple. On Saturday the 3rd and Sunday the 4th of December, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York, First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad, officiated the festal All-Night Vigil and celebrated Divine Liturgy.

On Saturday, November 19, the feast of Venerable Barlaam of Khutyn, Holy Protection Skete in Buena, NJ celebrated the hermitage’s minor patronal feast day.

Eight years ago, the ever-memorable Metropolitan Hilarion blessed for the Protectress of the Russian Diaspora – the wonderworking Kursk Root Icon of the Mother of God – to visit Washington, DC during the Thanksgiving holiday (the end of November). Every year, the icon was brought by Bishop Nicholas – now Metropolitan and the new First Hierarch of ROCOR.

On November 21, 2017 Metropolitan Hilarion (Kapral) of blessed memory blessed the opening of the new Convent of the Mother of God "Quick to Hear" in Richfield Springs, NY. Metropolitan Hilarion and Bishop Luke of Syracuse believed there was a need for a woman’s monastery in the Russian tradition using English and, with God’s blessing, the convent is now celebrating the 5th anniversary of its founding.

The 29th North American Church Musicians’ Conference was convened for the first time in three years with great success and on a high level. Church singers, choir directors, and readers gathered together in Nanuet and Nyack, NY from Wednesday the 9th through Sunday the 13th of November.

On November 27, the 24th Sunday after Pentecost, when on the eve of the Nativity (St. Philip’s) Fast, the Holy Church honors the memory of the Apostle Philip, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York celebrated Divine Liturgy in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City.

On Wednesday the 23rd and Thursday the 24th of November, the community of St. Martin of Tours Mission in Montgomery, AL celebrated their patronal feast day. Parish rector Priest Elias Crowder served All-Night Vigil on Wednesday evening and celebrated Divine Liturgy on Thursday morning.

On Monday, November 21, the feast of the Holy Archangel of God Michael and the other Heavenly Bodiless Hosts, the clergy and parishioners of St. Michael Church in Wayne, NJ, celebrated their patronal feast day. Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York, First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad, celebrated Divine Liturgy in honor of the occasion.

Thursday, November 24, marked the 40th anniversary of the appearance of the myrrh-streaming Montreal Iveron Icon of the Mother of God, in the home of its guardian, José Muñoz-Cortés. It is also the patronal feast day of one of the newer diocesan monastic communities, the Iveron Mother of God Monastery in Mohawk, NY.

On Saturday the 19th and Sunday the 20th of November, 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, where he officiated the Resurrectional All-Night Vigil and celebrated Divine Liturgy.

On Saturday the 19th and Sunday the 20th of November, Metropolitan Jonah (Paffhausen) performed an archpastoral visit to St. John the Russian Church in Ipswich, MA.

On November 20, the 23rd Sunday after Pentecost, celebrations dedicated to the 120th anniversary of the great consecration of St. Nicholas Patriarchal Cathedral by St. Tikhon (Bellavin) took place in New York City. On the same day, the fullness of the Russian Orthodox Church prayerfully honored the birthday of their Primate, His Holiness Kyrill, Patriarch of Moscow & All Russia.

The faithful rejoice in the saints, those in whom God abides, and the Holy Orthodox Church solemnly celebrates their memory with love. The parish of St. George in Loveland, OH, a suburb of Cincinnati, lovingly kept their patron’s memory with such a celebration to mark the feast of the Dedication of the Church of the Great Martyr George in Lydda, on Wednesday, November 16, 2022 ‒ the community’s 34th anniversary.

On Saturday the 12th and Sunday the 13th of November, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York paid an archpastoral visit to Dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church in McKeesport, PA. The visit of the First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad coincided with the celebrations of the 105th anniversary of the parish’s founding.

2022 is a remarkable year for several reasons. This year, the children of the Church prayerfully mark the 15th anniversary of the reestablishment of eucharistic communion between the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia and the Moscow Patriarchate

On Friday, November 11, His Eminence Nicholas, Metropolitan of Eastern America & New York, appointed Priest George Temidis (rector of the New Kursk Root Hermitage in Mahopac, NY) Secretary of the Diocesan Administration.

On November 6, the 21st Sunday after Pentecost and feast day of the Icon of the Mother of God "Joy of All Who Sorrow," Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York paid an archpastoral visit to Joy of All Who Sorrow Church in Philadelphia, PA, in honor of the parish’s patronal feast.

On Sunday, November 6, His Grace, Bishop Jerome (Shaw), paid an archpastoral visit to St. John of Kronstadt Memorial Church in Utica, NY, where he celebrated Divine Liturgy. The visit was timed to coincide with the parish’s patronal feast, which took place on Tuesday, November 1.

On Friday, November 4, the feast of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York paid an archpastoral visit to Our Lady of Kazan Church in Newark, NJ, where he officiated its patronal feast day.

On Saturday, October 29, the feast of the Holy Martyr Longinus the Centurion, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York visited the Chapel of St. Sergius in Churaevka, Southbury, CT. His Eminence was greeted with bread and salt.

Monday, October 31, marked the 25th anniversary of the martyric death of Brother José Muñoz-Cortés, guardian of the myrrh-streaming Montreal Iveron Icon of the Mother of God.

It can be said that an icon is a little window opening a view for us into another world, into the Heavenly Kingdom "come with power" (Mark 9:1). Icons depict the Savior, the Mother of God, and the holy angels just as they also depict holy men, women, and children

On Saturday, October 22, the feast day of the Holy Apostle James the Lesser (son of Alphæus), the Righteous Patriarch Abraham and his nephew Lot, the newly elected First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York, visited the New Kursk Root Hermitage in Mahopac, NY.

On Thursday evening, October 21, over 60 singers ‒ men, women, teens, and children; clergy, laity, and monastics ‒ gathered under the eaves of St. Tikhon Church in Blountville, TN for an English-language Liturgical Music Symposium held in cooperation with the Synodal School of Liturgical Music. Participants from ROCOR, the OCA, and the Antiochian Archdiocese attended from parishes as distant as Oregon and Maine.

On October 23, the Sunday the Fathers of the Seventh Ecumenical Council, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York paid an archpastoral visit to Holy Fathers Church in New York City, where he celebrated Divine Liturgy on the occasion of the parish’s patronal feast day.

On Saturday the 15th and Sunday the 16th of October, Eastern American Diocesan vicar Bishop Luke of Syracuse paid an archpastoral visit to Protection of the Mother of God Church in Rochester, NY. The visit was timed in connection with the parish’s recent patronal feast on October 14.

On Saturday the 15th and Sunday the 16th of October, St. Dionysios the Areopagite Monastery celebrated their patronal feast day. Sunday began with Matins, served by Hieromonk Vasileios (Willard), followed by Divine Liturgy, celebrated by Archimandrite Maximos (Weimar; monastery abbot)

On Saturday the 15th and Sunday the 16th of October, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York paid an archpastoral visit to Holy Trinity Church in Vineland, NJ, on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the parish’s founding, and celebrated Divine Liturgy.

On Thursday the 13th and Friday the 14th of October, the feast of the Protection of the Most Holy Theotokos, His Grace, Bishop Jerome (Shaw), paid an archpastoral visit to Holy Virgin Protection Church in Nyack, NY, where he officiated the divine services on the occasion of its patronal feast day.

On Friday, October 14, the feast of the Protection of the Most Holy Theotokos, the clergy and faithful of Holy Virgin Protection Skete in Buena, NJ celebrated their patronal feast day.

On Sunday, October 9, the congregation of St. Thomas the Apostle Mission gathered for the first Divine Liturgy in their recently purchased church building located in Tobaccoville, NC. Some 80 people attended the services on a historic Sunday for a community which has endured many trials since its inception.

On Friday, October 14, the feast of the Protection of the Most Holy Theotokos, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York celebrated Divine Liturgy in Holy Virgin Protection Church in New Brunswick, NJ on the occasion of its patronal feast day.

On October 1/14, the Orthodox Church celebrates the feast of the Protection of the Most Holy Theotokos. It is especially and solemnly celebrated in the Russian Orthodox Church. This is due to the fact that the pious Russian people regard the events associated with the feast as the beginning of their salvation...

Hieromonk Marcos (Cantillano-Calderon; abbot of Monasterio de San Antonio el Grande in Comarca Río Negro, Nicaragua) recently distributed food packages to the local community. This benevolent missionary outreach was made possible thanks to a generous donor from the United States.

On Saturday, October 8, the feast of the Repose of Venerable Sergius, Abbot of Radonezh and Wonderworker of All Russia, clergy of the New Jersey deanery and neighboring parishes assembled at St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in Howell, NJ to honor this great and beloved saint.

On Saturday, October 8, the feast of the Repose of Venerable Sergius, Abbot of Radonezh and Wonderworker of All Russia, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York celebrated Divine Liturgy in St. Sergius Church at the Synodal Headquarters in New York City.

On October 2, the 16th Sunday after Pentecost, that after the Exaltation, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York celebrated Divine Liturgy in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City.

New Photos! On Wednesday, September 28, Hurricane Ian struck Florida. The most significant damage was done on the state’s west (Gulf) coast. Unfortunately, the storm did significant damage to local infrastructure and residential and commercial buildings. Our Lady of Pochaev Church in North Port was no exception.

On Tuesday, September 27, the great feast of the Exaltation of the Cross of the Lord, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York paid an archpastoral visit to Holy Virgin Intercession Church in Glen Cove, NY, where he celebrated the festal Divine Liturgy. This marked his first visit to the parish as First Hierarch.

On Saturday the 24th and Sunday the 25th, the Leavetaking of the great feast of the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York paid an archpastoral visit to the eponymous church in Albany, NY on the occasion of their recent patronal feast and the celebration of the 70th anniversary of the establishment of the parish.

On Wednesday, September 21, the great feast of the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos ‒ with the blessing of the First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York ‒ Archbishop Victor of Artsiz, vicar of the Diocese of Odessa (Ukrainian Orthodox Church) celebrated Divine Liturgy in St. John the Baptist Cathedral in Washington, DC.

On Monday the 26th and Tuesday the 27th of September, the great feast of the Universal Exaltation of the Cross of our Lord, Eastern American Diocesan vicar Bishop Luke of Syracuse officiated the festal divine services in Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville, NY.

On Monday the 26th and Tuesday the 27th of September, the divine services for the great feast of the Exaltation of the Cross of the Lord were held in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City. Officiating the All-Night Vigil and performing the Rite of the Exaltation of the Cross was Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York, First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad.

On Friday the 23rd and Saturday the 24th of September, the feast of Blessed Xenia of St. Petersburg, His Eminence Nicholas, Metropolitan of Eastern America & New York, paid an archpastoral visit to St. Xenia Church in Methuen, MA, where he officiated the divine services on the occasion of the parish’s patronal feast day. This marked the first parish visit of the new First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad.

We, the hierarchs of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, having assembled together for the Council of Bishops on the eve of the Ecclesiastical New Year in the Synodal Residence in the God-protected city of New York, in the presence of our Protectress and guide, the wonderworking Kursk Root Icon of the Mother of God, greet you with the words of our Lord and Savior Jesus Chris: "Be of good cheer: I have overcome the world!" (John 16.33).

On Wednesday, September 21, the great feast of the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos, the eponymous parish at the New Kursk Root Hermitage in Mahopac, NY celebrated its patronal feast day, while on Sunday, September 25, the traditional popular celebrations were held, with the arrival of guest and pilgrims.

On Tuesday the 20th and Sunday the 21st of September, the great feast of the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos, divine services were officiated in the churches and monasteries of the Eastern American Diocese by hierarchs of the Russian Church Abroad, who arrived for the work of the Council of Bishop a week prior.

On Sunday, September 18, Archpriest Alexander Rentel, chancellor of the Orthodox Church in America, represented His Beatitude, Metropolitan Tikhon, at the celebration of Divine Liturgy and the enthronement of His Eminence Nicholas Metropolitan of Eastern America & New York, newly elected First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia.

On Tuesday the 20th and Wednesday the 21st of September, the great feast of the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos, festal divine services were held in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City.

His Holiness Porfirije, Patriarch of Serbia, congratulated Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York on his election as First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad.

His Eminence Alexander, Metropolitan of Riga & All Latvia, congratulated His Eminence Nicholas, Metropolitan of Eastern America & New York, on his election as First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia:

On September 18, the 14th Sunday after Pentecost and the day when the Holy Church honors the memory of the Holy Prophet Zechariah and the Righteous Elizabeth, parents of St. John the Baptist, the enthronement of Metropolitan Nicholas (Olhovsky) as First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia took place in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City.

His Holiness Kyrill, Patriarch of Moscow & All Russia, congratulated Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York on his election as First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad.

The Head of the Russian Imperial House, H.I.H. the Grand Duchess Maria of Russia, has sent a letter of congratulations to the First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York, on his election by the Council of Bishops of ROCOR and confirmation by His Holiness Kyrill, Patriarch of Moscow & All Russia.

On Saturday, September 17, at the All-Night Vigil in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City, Bishop Nicholas of Manhattan ‒ elected First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad on Tuesday, September 13 ‒ was elevated to the rank of metropolitan.

His Beatitude Onufry, Metropolitan of Kiev & All Ukraine, congratulated His Grace Nicholas, Bishop of Manhattan, on his election as First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, and noted that he shares in the joy of the forthcoming enthronement ceremony:

On Wednesday, September 14, participants of the Council of Bishops of the Russian Church Abroad heard reports by ruling bishops of the Dioceses of Canada, Mid-America, Great Britain, and Western America.

On Wednesday, September 14, members of the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church adopted the below published daily record, discussing its merits with the help of methods of remote communication.

On Tuesday, 13 September, the election of His Grace Nicholas, Bishop of Manhattan, as the new First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia by its Council of Bishops took place.

On Tuesday, September 13, the Council of Bishops of the Russian Church Abroad began its work. Divine Liturgy in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City was celebrated by Metropolitan Mark of Berlin & Germany,

On Saturday the 11th and Sunday the 12th of September, the patronal feast day of St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in Howell, NJ, Archbishop Gabriel of Montreal and Bishop James of Sonora paid an archpastoral visit to the parish.

On Saturday the 10th and Sunday the 11th of September, the clergy and parishioners of St. John the Baptist Cathedral in Washington, DC celebrated their 73rd patronal feast day. In 1949, on the feast of the Beheading of St. John the Forerunner, the Holy Hierarch John of Shanghai & San Francisco celebrated the first Divine Liturgy in the newly created parish community. The saint was then spending several months in the American capital, successfully petitioning the government on behalf of his émigré flock, which had fled from communist China.

Having celebrated Divine Liturgy on Sunday, September 11, the feast of the Beheading of the Forerunner of the Lord John, in their own sees, the archpastors of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia headed for New York City to participate in its Council of Bishops.

Holy Trinity Seminary in Jordanville, NY began its 75th academic year on Monday, September 5. Orientation for the new students had taken place on Thursday the 1st and Friday the 2nd of September. On Monday, September 5, at 2:00 PM, a moleben was served by the seminary rector, His Grace Luke, Bishop of Syracuse, together with monastery clergy.

On Saturday the 10th and Sunday the 11th of September, the feast of the Beheading of St. John the Baptist, Eastern American Diocesan vicar Bishop Luke of Syracuse officiated the divine services in Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville, NY.

On Sunday, September 11, the feast of the Beheading of St. John the Baptist, Bishop John of Caracas & South America celebrated Divine Liturgy in Holy Intercession & St. Sergius Church in Glen Cove, NY. Concelebrating with His Grace were parish rector Archpriest Alexandre Antchoutine and Hierodeacon Panteleimon (Jigalin; diocesan cleric).

On September 10-11, the 13th Sunday after Pentecost and the feast of the Beheading of the Holy Prophet, Forerunner, and Baptist of the Lord John, Bishop James of Sonora, vicar of the Western American Diocese, paid an archpastoral visit to St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in Howell, NJ, where he officiated the All-Night Vigil and Divine Liturgy for the feast.

On Friday the 9th and Saturday the 10th of September, the brethren of Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville, NY celebrated their lesser patronal feast, in honor of Venerable Job of Pochaev. The divine services were officiated by His Grace Luke, Bishop of Syracuse and abbot of the monastery.

On Labor Day weekend, September 3-5, clergy and parishioners of St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in Howell, NJ and Holy New Martyrs & Confessors of Russia Church in Brooklyn, NY undertook the traditional pilgrimage to Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville, NY. This spiritual tradition was founded by Archbishop Vitaly (Maximenko; +1960) of Eastern America.

On September 4, the 12th Sunday after Pentecost, as the Holy Church continues to honor the Most Holy Theotokos in her Dormition, Bishop Nicholas of Manhattan celebrated Divine Liturgy in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City. Concelebrating with His Grace were: cathedral dean Archpriest Andrei Sommer, Protodeacon Nicolas Mokhoff (cathedral cleric), and Hierodeacon Panteleimon (Jigalin; diocesan cleric).

The election of a new First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia will take place on Tuesday, September 13. The procedure will take no more than three rounds, the first round requiring two-thirds of the votes of the other hierarchs to succeed. Voting will be all active bishops of the Russian Church Abroad, as reported by Archpriest Serafim Gan, Chancellor of the Synod of Bishops.

On September 4, the 12th Sunday after Pentecost, Archbishop Gabriel of Montreal & Canada paid an archpastoral visit to St. Andrew Stratelates Cathedral in St. Petersburg, FL, where he celebrated Divine Liturgy. His visit was timed to coincide with celebrations of the parish’s patronal feast day, which had taken place on September 1.

On Wednesday, August 31, the Orthodox Church commemorates the Holy Martyrs Florus and Laurus. This was the namesday of the much-beloved and ever-memorable Metropolitan Laurus (Škurla; +2008) and Archimandrite Flor (Vanko; +2012).

On Saturday the 27th and Sunday the 28th of August, the great feast of the Dormition of the Mother of God, the clergy, faithful, and sisters of Holy Dormition Convent "Novo-Diveevo" in Nanuet, NY celebrated their patronal feast day.

The feast of the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos is celebrated very solemnly in Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville, NY. In recent years, the Burial of the Mother of God has been added to the monastery typicon.

Services in the Church of Our Lady of Pochaev in North Port, FL are performed daily: Divine Liturgy in the morning and Vespers and Matin in the evening. The special cycle of services was blessed for the brethren of the parish by Metropolitan Hilarion of blessed memory

On Friday the 5th and Saturday the 6th of August, the parish of Joy of All Who Sorrow Church in Cumming (Atlanta), GA hosted a retreat for their parishioners, parents, and children at the Monastery of the Glorious Ascension in Resaca, GA. Over 40 adults and children enjoyed the festivities and monastery grounds. The monastery chapel and facilities were opened for the group.

On Saturday the 27th and Sunday the 28th of August, the great feast of the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos, Archbishop Gabriel of Montreal & Canada paid an archpastoral visit to St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in Howell, NJ, where he officiated the festal divine services.

On Saturday the 27th and Sunday the 28th of August, the faithful of Our Lady of Pochaev Church in North Port, FL celebrated the great feast of the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos.

On Saturday the 20th and Sunday the 21st of August, Bishop Nicholas of Manhattan paid an archpastoral visit to St. Luke the Blessed Surgeon Church in Pompano Beach, FL.

On Friday, August 19, the great feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord, Bishop Nicholas of Manhattan celebrated Divine Liturgy in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City. Concelebrating with His Grace were: cathedral dean Archpriest Andrei Sommer, Protodeacon Nicolas Mokhoff (cathedral cleric), and Hierodeacon Panteleimon (Jigalin; diocesan cleric).

On August 14, the 9th Sunday after Pentecost, and the feast of the Procession of the Honorable Wood of the Life-Giving Cross of the Lord, Bishop Nicholas of Manhattan celebrated Divine Liturgy in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City. Serving alongside His Grace were cathedral dean Archpriest Andrei Sommer and Protodeacon Nicolas Mokhoff.

On Monday the 8th and Tuesday the 9th of August, Eastern American Diocesan vicar Bishop Luke of Syracuse paid an archpastoral visit to St. Panteleimon Church in Hartford, CT, where he officiated the parish’s patronal feast day.

On Friday, August 5, when the Holy Church celebrates the Pochaev Icon of the Mother of God, Our Lady of Pochaev Church in North Port, FL celebrated its patronal feast. The community’s founding and the name of the church itself were due to the blessing and initiative of the ever-memorable Metropolitan Hilarion, the reposed First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad.

On Tuesday, August 9, Holy Cross Monastery in Wayne, WV celebrated the feast day of its patron saint, the Holy Great-Martyr and Healer Panteleimon. His Grace Nicholas, Bishop of Manhattan, celebrated Divine Liturgy, inspiring the faithful not only with his reverence at the altar, but also with his unflagging dedication, since he did not arrive at the monastery until close to midnight the evening before due to flight cancellations and delays.

On August 7, the 8th Sunday after Pentecost and the feast of the Righteous Anna, mother of the Most Holy Theotokos, Archbishop Gabriel of Montreal & Canada celebrated Divine Liturgy in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City. Concelebrating with His Eminence were cathedral dean Archpriest Andrei Sommer and Synodal Protodeacon Nicolas Mokhoff.

On Monday, August 1, the feast of Venerable Seraphim, Wonderworker of Sarov, despite its being a workday, a large number of the faithful gathered in St. Seraphim Memorial Church to the Re-Establishment of Unity in the Russian Church in Sea Cliff, NY.

On Wednesday the 3rd and Thursday the 4th of August, the parish of the Holy Equal-of-the-Apostles Mary Magdalene in Darmstadt, Germany, celebrated its patronal feast day with particular solemnity. The presence of the wonderworking Kursk Root Icon of the Mother of God was a special blessing, as well as the concelebration of two bishops of the Russian Church Abroad.

On Sunday, July 31, and Monday, August 1, the feast of the Finding of the Relics of Venerable Seraphim, Wonderworker of Sarov, Archbishop Gabriel of Montreal & Canada visited Holy Dormition Convent "Novo-Diveevo" in Nanuet, NY, in connection with the patronal feast of the convent’s main church.

On Saturday the 23rd and Sunday the 24th of July, the feast of the Holy Equal-of-the-Apostles Great Princess Olga, festal All-Night Vigil and Divine Liturgy were served in Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville, NY.

On Saturday the 16th and Sunday the 17th of July, the feast of the Holy Royal Martyrs of Russia, All-Night Vigil was served and Divine Liturgy celebrated in the new Mission of St. Elizabeth the New Martyr in Cullman, AL, for the first time. Clerics of St. Mary of Egypt Church in Atlanta, GA traveled for the services: Archimandrite John (Townsend), Hieromonk Gabriel (Davis), and Deacon Peter Epstein.

On July 31, the 7th Sunday after Pentecost, that of the Holy Fathers of the First Six Ecumenical Councils, the annual St. Vladimir’s Day Celebrations, dedicated to the Baptism of Rus’, were held at St. Vladimir Memorial Church in Jackson, NJ. Archbishop Gabriel of Montreal & Canada celebrated Divine Liturgy, co-served by Archbishop Peter of Chicagsky & Mid-America and Bishop Nicholas of Manhattan.

On Thursday, July 28, when the Holy Church celebrates the memory of the baptizer and enlightener of Rus’, the Holy Equal-of-the-Apostles Great Prince Vladimir, Bishop Nicholas of Manhattan paid an archpastoral visit to St. Vladimir Memorial Church in Jackson, NJ, where he celebrated Divine Liturgy for its patronal feast day.

As the summer sun beats down on the continental United States, many parishes and monasteries across the Eastern American Diocese are forging ahead with various construction and restoration projects:

On Monday, July 25, the "Summer Boys" program, held at Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville, NY, concluded its annual session. For three weeks, a group of 31 young men lived at the monastery, frequenting 6:00 AM Divine Liturgy, sharing obediences with the monks, partaking in meals and, of course, getting some well-deserved time for recreation every afternoon.

This July, the New York "Tsarskoe Selo" Chapter of St. George Pathfinders of America (SGPA) held its 74th summer camp for Russian Orthodox youth scouts on its territory in the foothills of the Adirondack Mountains. The three-week camp featured a program rich in theoretical as well as practical matters, including classes in Russian History, Scouting, and the Law of God,

On Monday, July 18, the feast day of the Holy Venerable New Martyr Elizbeth, Bishop Nicholas of Manhattan paid an archpastoral visit to the eponymous church in Rocky Hill, NJ, where he celebrated Divine Liturgy on the occasion of the parish’s patronal feast.

In New York’s Catskill Mountains, the 56th annual summer youth camp of the Association of Russian Explorers (NORR) is being held July 3-23. More than 150 campers, troops leaders, counselors, and helpers ‒ all volunteers ‒ have come from New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, California, Texas, North Carolina, and Florida, as well as from Russia, in order to spend these three weeks together.

From Saturday the 16th through Monday the 18th of July, His Eminence, Metropolitan Jonah (Paffhausen), paid an archpastoral visit to St. Elizabeth the New-Martyr Church in Columbia, SC, where he officiated the divine services for the feast of the Holy Royal Martyrs and the parish’s patronal feast.

On Sunday, July 17, the feast of the Holy Royal Martyrs of Russia, Archbishop Gabriel of Montreal & Canada celebrated Divine Liturgy in the stavropegial metochion Church of the Mother of God "The Inexhaustible Chalice" in Brooklyn, NY.

On July 10, the 4th Sunday after Pentecost and the day when the Holy Church honors the memory of Venerable Ambrose of Optina, Bishop Nicholas of Manhattan celebrated Divine Liturgy in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City.

On Wednesday, July 13, the feast of the Synaxis of the Twelve Holy Apostles, Holy Apostles Church in Beltsville, MD, celebrated the 21st anniversary of the parish’s founding.

On Tuesday, July 12, the feast of the Holy Leaders of the Apostles Peter and Paul, Eastern American Diocesan vicar Bishop Luke of Syracuse celebrated Divine Liturgy in Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville, NY.

On Friday the 8th and Saturday the 9th of July, Archbishop Gabriel of Montreal & Canada paid an archpastoral visit to Our Lady of Tikhvin Church in Howell, NJ, on the occasion of its patronal feast, and officiated the All-Night Vigil the eve prior and celebrated Divine Liturgy on the day of the feast.

On Wednesday the 6th and Thursday the 7th of July, the feast of the Nativity of the Holy Prophet, Forerunner, and Baptizer of the Lord John, His Grace Nicholas, Bishop of Manhattan, paid an archpastoral visit to St. John the Baptist Cathedral in Mayfield, PA, where he officiated the divine services for the parish’s patronal feast day.

On Wednesday the 6th and Thursday the 7th of July, the feast of the Nativity of the Holy Prophet, Forerunner, and Baptizer of the Lord John, divine services were held in Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville, NY.

At the invitation of His Eminence Kyrill, Archbishop of San Francisco & Western America, Bishop Nicholas of Manhattan took part in the celebrations in honor of the feast day of the Holy Hierarch John, Wonderworker of Shanghai & San Francisco.

On June 25, the Second Sunday after Pentecost, commemorating all saints who have Shown forth in the Russian land, Bishop Theodosius of Seattle celebrated Divine Liturgy in the Cathedral of St. Mary Magdalene in the Gethsemane Convent in Jerusalem.

On June 26, the 2nd Sunday after Pentecost, that of All Saints who shone forth in the Russian Land, Archbishop Gabriel of Montreal & Canada celebrate Divine Liturgy in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City.

On Saturday the 18th and Sunday the 19th of June, the parish of Holy New Martyrs & Confessors of Russia Church in Brooklyn, NY held a pilgrimage to Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville, NY. Archpriests Serge Lukianov (rector) and Petro Kunitsky led the 42 parishioners.

On Friday, June 24, when the Holy Church honors the Kursk Root Icon of the Mother of God and celebrate the memory of the Holy Apostles Bartholomew and Barnabas, Divine Liturgy was celebrated in Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville, NY, and a panihida served for the 40th day of the repose of Metropolitan Hilarion, ever-memorable First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad.

On Friday, June 24, when the Holy Church honors the Kursk Root Icon o the Mother of God and celebrate the memory of the Holy Apostles Bartholomew and Barnabas, as well as Venerable Barlaam of Khutyn (the skete’s lesser patronal feast day) Divine Liturgy was celebrated in Holy Protection Skete in Buena, NJ,

On Friday, June 24, the summer feast of the Kursk Root Icon of the Mother of God, Bishop Nicholas of Manhattan celebrated Divine Liturgy in the Refectory Church of the Holy Ascension Convent on the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem. Following Liturgy,

On Thursday, June 23, the feast of Holy Hierarch John (Maximovitch), Metropolitan of Tobolsk, Bishop Theodosius of Seattle celebrated Divine Liturgy in St. Alexander Nevsky Church at the Russian Archæological Excavations in Jerusalem.

From Sunday the 19th through Tuesday the 21st of June, while accompanying the PaTRAM Male Choir, Bishop Nicholas of Manhattan continued his pilgrimage to the holy sites of Jerusalem and beyond. Joining him was Western American Diocesan vicar Bishop Theodosius of Seattle.

From June 13-19, the All North American Youth Conference was held at the Snowbird Center in Salt Lake City, UT. Readers can acquaint themselves with the opening of the conference and first days of its work here. On Sunday, June 19, the conference concluded with Divine Liturgy in St. George Church in Salt Lake City.

The day before Pentecost, Soul Saturday, is appointed as a special commemoration in the Church Typicon for all of the Orthodox reposed. Since Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville, NY has a very large cemetery, it has been the custom for many years to celebrate Divine Liturgy on this day in the cemetery’s Chapel of the Dormition,

On Saturday the 18th Sunday the 19th of June, the Sunday of All Saints, Bishop Theodosius of Seattle officiated the All-Night Vigil and celebrated Divine Liturgy in the Church of the Ascension of our Lord in Holy Ascension Convent on the Mount of Olives. S

On Saturday, June 18, the Patriarch Tikhon Russian-American Music Institute (PaTRAM) male choir performed a concert of the works of renowned Russian composer Sergei Rachmaninoff’s All Night Vigil in the Pope John Paul II Concert Hall in Jerusalem.

On Tuesday, 14 June, the All North American Youth Conference opened at the Snowbird Center in Salt Lake City, UT. This is the first such youth event of the Russian Church Abroad since the COVID pandemic began. Two similar events were held earlier in Paris and San Francisco.

At midnight early Friday morning on June 17, clergy and pilgrims gathered in the Church of the Resurrection of Christ (Church of the Holy Sepulcher) in Jerusalem. Archbishop Theodosius of Sebastia officiated Divine Liturgy, concelebrated by Bishops Theodosius of Seattle and Nicholas of Manhattan.

On Thursday, June 16, Divine Liturgy in the Cathedral of the Nativity of Christ was celebrated by Metropolitan Benedict of Diocaesarea. With the blessing of His Holiness Theophilos III, Patriarch of Jerusalem & All Palestine, Bishops Theodosius of Seattle and Nicholas of Manhattan co-served with His Eminence.

On Tuesday, June 14, the third day of Holy Pentecost, Their Graces, Bishops Theodosius of Seattle and Nicholas of Manhattan, were received by His Beatitude Theophilos III, Patriarch of Jerusalem & All Palestine.

On Saturday the 11th and Sunday the 12th of June, the great feast of Holy Pentecost, His Eminence Gabriel, Archbishop of Montreal & Canada, paid an archpastoral visit to Holy Trinity Church in Vineland, NJ, where he officiated the divine services in honor of the parish’s patronal feast.

On Saturday evening the 11th and Sunday the 12th of June, the great feast of Holy Pentecost (Holy Trinity Sunday), Bishop Nicholas of Manhattan officiated the All-Night Vigil and celebrated Divine Liturgy in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City, co-served by cathedral dean Archpriest Andrei Sommer, Protodeacon Nicolas Mokhoff (cathedral cleric), and Hierodeacon Panteleimon (Jigalin; diocesan cleric).

On June 6, the Sunday of the Fathers of the First Ecumenical Council, Bishop Nicholas of Manhattan performed an archpastoral visit to St. Luke the Blessed Surgeon Church in Pompano Beach, FL. The visit was timed in connection with the parish’s upcoming patronal feast ‒ June 11.

On Thursday, June 2, the great feast of the Ascension of the Lord, the Monastery of the Glorious Ascension in Resaca, GA celebrated its patronal feast day. Monastery abbot Archimandrite Maximos (Weimar) celebrated the festal Divine Liturgy, co-served by Priest Benedict Simpson, Priest Justinian Burnett and Deacon Laurence Powell (monastery clerics).

The 74th school year at Holy Trinity Seminary in Jordanville, NY has been successfully completed, and on June 5, the 7th Sunday after Pascha – that of the Holy Fathers of the 1st Ecumenical Council, the seminary celebrated its annual commencement with a hierarchal Divine Liturgy, thanksgiving moleben, commencement exercises, and a reception.

On Sunday, May 15, the first hierarchal visitation to the Church of the Holy Innocents & St. Nina, Equal-to-the-Apostles, in Bristow, VA, was made by His Grace Nicholas, Bishop of Manhattan.

On June 5, the 7th Sunday after Pascha – that of the Holy Fathers of the 1st Ecumenical Council, the faithful gathered at St. Vladimir Cemetery in Jackson, NJ for a panihida at St. John the Baptist Chapel to commemorate the victims of Lienz. Archpriest Boris Slootsky (cleric of St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in Howell, NJ), led the panihida.

On the great feast of the Ascension of the Lord, Bishop Nicholas of Manhattan officiated All-Night Vigil on Wednesday the 1st and celebrated Divine Liturgy on Thursday the 2nd of June in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City.

On Monday evening, May 30, the myrrh-streaming Hawaiian Iveron Icon made an unscheduled visit to St. John the Baptist Cathedral in Mayfield, PA. The holy icon was in Northeast Pennsylvania for the Memorial Day Weekend celebrations and annual pilgrimage of the faithful at St. Tikhon Monastery in South Canaan, PA.

On May 29, the 6th Sunday of Holy Pascha, of the Blind Man, Bishop Nicholas of Manhattan celebrated Divine Liturgy in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City.

On Saturday, May 14, clergy and parishioners of Holy Epiphany Church in Roslindale (Boston), MA gathered to mark two important commemorative dates – the 15th anniversaries of the signing of Act of Canonical Communion between the Moscow Patriarchate and the Russian Church Abroad, and the repose of longtime rector Archpriest Roman Lukianov (+2007).

This year’s Paschal period has been an eventful one in the parish life of St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in Howell, NJ. After the celebration of Holy Pascha on Sunday, April 24, the parish welcomed His Grace Nicholas, Bishop of Manhattan, who paid the tradition archpastoral visit on Bright Monday the 25th, and officiated the divine services.

On May 22, the 5th Sunday of Holy Pascha, the commemoration of the meeting of the Lord with the Samaritan Woman, and then the Holy Church honors the memory of the Holy Hierarch and Wonderworker Nicholas, Archbishop of Myra in Lycia, the burial of the newly departed First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad, Metropolitan Hilarion of Eastern America & New York, was held at Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville, NY.

We received the news of the passing of Metropolitan Hilarion with sadness, and assure you and the entire ROCOR community of Our prayers from the Holy Tomb of our risen Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for the repose of his soul in the Heavenly Kingdom.

On Tuesday, May 24, the whole Russian Church Abroad, as well as many in other Local Churches, commemorated with prayer the 9th day of the repose of Metropolitan Hilarion of blessed memory.

It was with great sorrow that I heard the news of the repose of the First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, His Eminence Hilarion, Metropolitan of Eastern America & New York.

On Saturday, May 21, the feast of the Holy Apostle & Evangelist John the Theologian, the monastic funeral of the newly reposed First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad ‒ His Eminence Hilarion, Metropolitan of Eastern America & New York ‒ was held in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City.

On Saturday, May 21, the feast of Holy Apostle and Evangelist John the Theologian, His Eminence Mark, Metropolitan of Berlin & Germany, will officiate Divine Liturgy at 7:30 AM with the participation of archpastors, clergymen, and representatives of other Local Orthodox Churches

We were deeply moved when we heard of the repose of our beloved brother and concelebrant, His Eminence, Metropolitan Hilarion. We knew him to be a man of faith, integrity, and principle.

The tragic news of the repose of His Eminence, Metropolitan Hilarion, First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad, who is deeply revered and respected by all, has been met with deep sorrow in our hearts.

In the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City, the clergy continue to serve panihidas for the newly reposed primate of the Russian Church Abroad, Metropolitan Hilarion. On Tuesday evening, May 17, Metropolitan Mark of Berlin & Germany, recently arrived from Germany, officiated the panihida in the cathedral.

It was with great sorrow that I received the news of the repose of the First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad, Metropolitan Hilarion of Eastern America & New York. I express my deepest condolences for your loss.

It is with great sorrow that I learned of the repose of our dear and beloved brother, His Eminence, Metropolitan Hilarion.

On Monday evening, May 16, the first panihida for the newly reposed Metropolitan Hilarion of Eastern America & New York, First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad, was served in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City.

On Monday, May 16, the feast of Venerable Theodosius of the Kiev Caves, at 2:00 PM New York time, following a lengthy illness, His Eminence Hilarion, Metropolitan of Eastern America & New York, First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad, reposed in the Lord in a New York City hospital.

On Sunday, May 15, His Grace Luke, Bishop of Syracuse and monastery abbot, celebrated Divine Liturgy in Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville, NY.

On May 15, the 4th Sunday of Pascha, of the Paralytic, Archbishop Gabriel of Montreal & Canada celebrated Divine Liturgy in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City. 

On May 8, the 3rd Sunday of Pascha, Eastern American Diocesan vicar Bishop Nicholas of Manhattan paid an archpastoral visit to Holy Myrrhbearers Church in Harrisonburg, VA and officiated the divine services there for the parish’s patronal feast day.

On May 8, the 3rd Sunday of Pascha, the feast of the Holy Myrrh-bearing Women, Bishop Luke of Syracuse celebrated Divine Liturgy in the lower church of Venerable Job of Pochaev at Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville, NY.

On May 8, the 3rd Sunday of Pascha, dedicated to the Holy Myrrh-bearing Women, His Grace, Bishop Jerome, paid an archpastoral visit to Holy Virgin Protection Church in Nyack, NY, where he celebrated Divine Liturgy. The visit to the Nyack parish on this weekend has become an annual tradition for the retired diocesan vicar.

On May 1, the 2nd Sunday of Pascha, dedicated to the Holy Apostle Thomas, Eastern American Diocesan vicar Bishop Nicholas of Manhattan, celebrated Divine Liturgy in St. Seraphim Cathedral of Holy Dormition Convent "Novo-Diveevo" in Nanuet, NY.

On Friday, May 6, when the Holy Church honors the memory of the Holy Great-Martyr and Trophy-Bearer George, the Cossack parish of the same name in Howell, NJ, celebrated its patronal feast

On the 3rd Sunday of Pascha, the Orthodox Church glorifies the Holy Myrrh-bearing Women. This year, Sunday, May 8, was also Mother’s Day in many countries around the world.

On Thomas Sunday, May 1, the feast of Antipascha, Archbishop Gabriel of Montreal & Canada celebrated Divine Liturgy in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City. Concelebrating with His Eminence were: Priest Živojin Jakovljević (cleric of the Serbian Church in the USA), Protodeacon Nicolas Mokhoff (cathedral cleric), and Hierodeacon Panteleimon (Jigalin; diocesan cleric).

On Saturday, May 7, clergy and faithful gathered in St. Andrew Naval Cathedral in Philadelphia, PA to mark the 50th anniversary of cathedral rector Archpriest Mark Shinn’s ordination to the priesthood. It was on this day that Archbishop Seraphim (Ivanov; +1987)

On May 1, the Second Sunday of Pascha, clergy and faithful of central New Jersey gathered in St. Vladimir Cemetery in Jackson, NJ to bring the joyous news of the Resurrection of Christ to those entombed there.

On Bright Saturday, April 30, Eastern American Diocesan vicar Bishop Nicholas of Manhattan paid an archpastoral visit to St. Vladimir Memorial Church in Jackson, NJ, where he celebrated Divine Liturgy.

NEW PHOTOGRAPHS 05/03! The Diocesan Media Office will publish photo-reports of Holy Week & the Feast of feasts – the Lord’s Pascha in the parishes and monasteries of the Eastern American Diocese on the diocesan website. 

On Bright Monday, April 25, Eastern American Diocesan vicar Bishop Nicholas of Manhattan paid an archpastoral visit to St. Alexander Nevsky Church in Howell, NJ, where he celebrated Divine Liturgy.

On the night of Sunday, April 24, the clergy and parishioners of the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City joyously celebrated the principal Christian feast of Christ’s Resurrection.

Addressing you with these life-affirming words, I extend to all of you my heartfelt greetings on the great and world-saving feast of Pascha. On this chosen and holy day, so overwhelming is our spiritual joy and profound gratitude to God and so distinct is the feeling of the might and depth of the Creator’s love for human beings

With a sense of jubilation in the Lord, the Victor over evil, hell, and death, I greet you all on this luminous night of the Lord’s Matins and Paschal Liturgy, this "feast of faith," which the great Chrysostom exhorts us to relish! Greetings on the Glorious Resurrection of Christ!

On Great & Holy Friday, April 22, when the Holy Church commemorates the holy, salvific, terrible suffering and death of our Lord Jesus Christ, divine services in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City

On Great Thursday, April 21, His Grace Nicholas, Bishop of Manhattan, celebrated the Vesperal Divine Liturgy of St. Basil the Great in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City

On Great and Holy Wednesday, April 20, Eastern American Diocesan vicar Bishop Nicholas of Manhattan celebrated the final Liturgy of Presanctified Gifts for this year in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City.

On the great feast of the Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem (Palm Sunday), Eastern American Diocesan vicar Bishop Nicholas of Manhattan officiated the All-Night Vigil on Saturday the 16th and celebrated Divine Liturgy on Sunday the 17th of April in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City.

On April 16, the feast of the Raising of the Righteous Lazarus, Bishop Nicholas of Manhattan paid an archpastoral visit to Holy Dormition Convent "Novo-Diveevo" in Nanuet, NY, and celebrated Divine Liturgy there.

On Sunday, April 10, the Sacrament of Holy Unction was performed in St. Luke the Blessed Surgeon Church in Pompano Beach, FL. For the first time in many years, the Sacrament was officiated by a hierarch – Eastern American Diocesan vicar Bishop Nicholas of Manhattan.

On Friday, April 15, Eastern American Diocesan vicar Bishop Nicholas of Manhattan officiated the Sacrament of Holy Unction in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City.

On Saturday the 9th and Sunday the 10th of April, the feast of Venerable Mary of Egypt, His Grace Nicholas, Bishop of Manhattan, paid an archpastoral visit to St. Mary of Egypt Church in Roswell (Atlanta), GA, and led the divine services on the occasion of its patronal feast day.

On Saturday the 9th and Sunday the 10th of April, after two years of being unable to visit Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville, NY due to COVID, the parish school of Holy Virgin Protection Church in Nyack, NY was finally able to organize a small pilgrimage to the holy site.

On Wednesday, April 13, the Southern Lenten Diocesan Clergy Retreat concluded with the celebration of the Divine Liturgy of Presanctified Gifts in St. Mary of Egypt Church in Roswell (Atlanta), GA.

On Tuesday, April 12, priests and deacons carrying out their pastoral ministry in the southern half of the Eastern American Diocese arrived in Roswell (Atlanta), GA for the start of the Lenten Clergy Retreat held in St. Mary of Egypt Church.

On Saturday, March 26, His Grace Nicholas, Bishop of Manhattan, paid a visit to the parish school of Holy Virgin Protection Church in Nyack, NY, in order to spend the school day with the students and teachers, taking part in the everyday life of the school.

On Saturday, April 9 – the feast of the Laudation of the Mother of God – Eastern American Diocesan vicar Bishop Nicholas of Manhattan paid an archpastoral visit to Holy Annunciation Church in Flushing,

St. Martin of Tours Mission in Montgomery, AL, has seen 19 baptisms since it was established. Of the 19 baptisms, five were infants and 14 were adult converts, 11 in the past six months alone. The names of the 11 are: Michael, Sophia, Hope, Charity, Catherine, Cyprian, Leo, Emily, Maxim, Sergius, and Lydia.

On Sunday the 20th and Friday the 25th of March, members of the Yale Russian Chorus (YRC), in Florida for spring break, paid a visit to Three Hierarchs Church in Hollywood and St. Luke the Blessed Surgeon Church in Pompano Beach, where they sang at the divine services of Great and Holy Lent.

On Wednesday, April 6, the clergy and parishioners of Holy Myrrhbearers Church in Harrisonburg, VA marked another milestone as they work to construct a new temple. Parish rector Priest Gabriel Weller blessed the new cupola and cross before a crane placed them atop the future church.

According to the typicon of the Lenten Triodion, on the Saturday of the Fifth Week of Great Lent, the Akathist Hymn to the Most Holy Theotokos is chanted as part of the Matins service. As usual, His Grace Bishop Luke, served the Akathist Hymn, along with the brethren of the monastery.

On Wednesday the 6th and Thursday the 7th of April, the great feast of the Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos, Eastern American Diocesan vicar Bishop Nicholas of Manhattan officiated All-Night Vigil and celebrate Divine Liturgy in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City.

The end of March and beginning of April were a spiritually rich period in the parish life of St. John the Baptist Cathedral in Washington, DC: many Lenten divine services were held, cathedral clergy took part in the Lenten Clergy Retreat at Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville, NY...

On Thursday, April 7, the great feast of the Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos, Eastern American Diocesan vicar Bishop Luke of Syracuse celebrated Divine Liturgy in Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville, NY.

On Saturday the 2nd and Sunday the 3rd, the fourth Sunday of Great Lent, dedicated to Venerable John Climacus, for the first time ever, Archimandrite Seraphim (Voepel) and the brethren of Holy Cross Monastery in Wayne, WV joyfully hosted a visit by the wonderworking Icon of the Mother of God "Quick to Hear" from St. Tikhon’s Monastery in South Canaan, PA.

The clergy and faithful of St. John the Baptist Cathedral in Washington, DC decided to place the relics of the saints of the Kiev Caves – a remarkable gift from Metropolitan Vladimir, former Primate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church – in the middle of the church and conduct special prayer services before them each Sunday

On April 3, the fourth Sunday of Great Lent, dedicated to Venerable John Climacus, Archbishop Gabriel of Montreal & Canada celebrated Divine Liturgy in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City. Concelebrating with His Eminence was cathedral dean Archpriest Andrei Sommer.

On the evening April 3, the fourth Sunday of Great Lent, dedicated to Venerable John Climacus, clergy of the New Jersey Deanery gathered at St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in Howell, NJ to perform the Sacrament of Holy Unction.

On Wednesday, March 30, the Northern Lenten Diocesan Clergy Retreat concluded with the celebration of the Divine Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts in Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville, NY.

On Tuesday, March 29, clergy from across the Eastern American Diocese flocked to Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville, NY for the start of the annual Lenten Clergy Retreat. The clergy, donned in winter riassas, braved the freezing temperatures and snow of Central New York State to be warmed by the affectionate greeting of their brother clergy, many seeing each other for the first time in three years.

On March 27, the Sunday of the Cross, Eastern American Diocesan vicar Bishop Nicholas of Manhattan led the Sacrament of Holy Unction in Holy Myrrhbearers Church in Brooklyn, NY.

On March 27, the third Sunday of Great Lent, dedicated to the Holy Cross, Eastern American Diocesan vicar Bishop Nicholas of Manhattan celebrated Divine Liturgy in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City

On Saturday the 19th and Sunday the 20th of March, the Second Sunday of Great Lent – dedicated to the Holy Hierarch Gregory Palamas – His Grace Nicholas, Bishop of Manhattan, paid an archpastoral visit to Protection of the Mother of God Church in Rochester, NY.

On the Sunday of Orthodoxy, March 13, the Misión Ortodoxa San Juan Clímaco in San Germán, PR, welcomed eight students from across the United States as part of the Orthodox Christian Fellowship’s (OCF) Real Break ministry. The Mission was chosen as one of this year’s service and pilgrimage locations.

On Thursday, March 24, the Chancery of the Synod of Bishops published a statement in connection with rumors that had spread "of the discontinuance of commemoration of His Holiness Kyrill, Patriarch of Moscow & All Russia, in some parishes of the Russian Church Abroad:"

On Tuesday, March 22, when the Holy Church commemorated the Holy Forty Martyrs of Sebaste, the clergy and faithful of St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in Howell, NJ also marked the namesday of the ever-memorable Protopresbyter Valery Lukianov, the cathedral’s builder and long-time rector.

On March 20, the second Sunday of Great Lent, dedicated to the Holy Hierarch Gregory Palamas, Archbishop of Thessalonica, Archbishop Gabriel of Montreal & Canada celebrated Divine Liturgy in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City.