The Nativity of Christ was celebrated in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City. On the eve of the feast, parishioners decorated the cathedral for the feast. The All-Night Vigil on Friday, January 6th, and the Divine Liturgy for the great feast of the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ on Saturday the 7th were led by Metropolitan Hilarion of Eastern America & New York, First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad.

His Eminence was co-served by diocesan vicar Bishop Nicholas of Manhattan and cathedral clergy: senior priest Archpriest Andrei Sommer, Archpriest Vasiliy Raskovskiy, Hieromonk Eutychius (Dovganyuk), and Protodeacons Nicolas Mokhoff, Vadim Gan, and Dionysius Lvov. The divine services were celebrated under the aegis of the Protectress of the Russian Diaspora – the Kursk Root Icon of the Mother of God. The services were adorned by the singing of the expanded hierarchal choir under the direction of Peter Fekula.

A multitude of parishioners gathered for the festal Vigil and Liturgy, many of whom communed of Christ’s Holy Mysteries on the radiant feast.

For his many years assisting the clergy at the divine services, Metropolitan Hilarion awarded altar server Vladimir Malashenko the right to wear the orarion.

Upon completion of the Liturgy, Fr. Vasiliy Raskovskiy read aloud the epistle to the clergy and flock of His Holiness, Patriarch Kyrill.

The sisterhood organized the traditional festal luncheon in the cathedral hall, during which interaction between the clergy and faithful continued.