On Forgiveness Sunday, February 18, Metropolitan Hilarion 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. Concelebrating with His Eminence were Eastern American Diocesan vicar Bishop Nicholas of Manhattan and Synodal clergy. Upon completion of Liturgy, the Polychronion was intoned for the cathedral senior protodeacon, Fr. Nicolas Mokhoff, on the occasion of his birthday.

That evening, after a festal luncheon and some downtime, Metropolitan Hilarion led the Lenten Vespers service and the Rite of Forgiveness, ushering in Great and Holy Lent. His Eminence and His Grace, Bishop Nicholas, asked forgiveness of one another and of those in attendance, that all might enter the time of the Fast free from any resentment or bitterness.