On Saturday, September 21, the great feast of the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos, Metropolitan Hilarion of Eastern America & New York celebrated Divine Liturgy in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City. Concelebrating with His Eminence were Archpriest Gabriel Makarov (rector of St. Nicholas Cathedral in Brisbane, Australia), Archpriest Andrei Sommer (cathedral dean), and Archpriest Edward Chervinsky and Protodeacons Nicolas Mokhoff and Vadim Gan (cathedral clerics). Praying in the altar was Bishop George of Canberra, vicar of the Diocese of Australia & New Zealand.

On the eve of the feast, Metropolitan Hilarion served the All-Night Vigil in the cathedral, co-served by Archbishop Gabriel of Montreal & Canada, Bishop George, and cathedral clergy.

Singing at the divine services was the Synodal choir under the direction of Matushka Eugenia Temidis.

A multitude of parishioners attended Liturgy to honor the Most Holy Theotokos, and communed of Christ’s Holy Mysteries.

Upon completion of the service, Fr. Gabriel Makarov addressed the gathered faithful with a sermon, in which he said, in part:

"We celebrate today’s feast in the hope that the Mother of God will see that we strive to be faithful to her Son. Even if one does not attend church often, he ought nevertheless to note that on almost all of the feasts of the Theotokos, the Gospel read is that wherein Jesus Christ visits Martha and Mary, the sisters of the Righteous Lazarus. And while Martha was cumbered about much serving, Mary listened to the Savior’s words. The Lord told Mary that she, of course, was careful about many things, but one thing was needful, and Mary had chosen that good part, which would not be taken away from her. The Gospel indicates to us that here Mary is an image or type of the Most Holy Theotokos.

"We are also all capable of choosing that good part – of making the correct choice out of two. The Mother of God not only made the correct decision, but in all her meekness and piety, she chose that good part, which was not taken away from her. And by this correct choice and her pious life, the Mother of God was earned and vouchsafed for her soul to be received not by her guardian angel, as we all hope to be, but by the Lord Jesus Christ Himself – her Divine Son. This is the significance of making the correct choice.

"In this way, the Most Holy Theotokos is for every Orthodox Christian a shining example to be followed. Of course, however we may try, we will not be as she was. But, as the Holy Fathers attest, let us at least stand upon the path of this piety, of this pious life. Let us at least find the path that we ought to walk throughout our lives." In summation, Fr. Gabriel called upon the faithful to pray to the Mother of God and ask her aid in the work of our salvation.