On Sunday the 26th and Monday the 27th of September, the great feast of the Exaltation of the Cross of the Lord, Archbishop Gabriel of Montreal & Canada officiated the divine services in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City.

Serving alongside His Eminence at the All-Night Vigil and Divine Liturgy were cathedral dean Archpriest Andrei Sommer, Archpriest Edward Chervinsky, Abbot Zosimas (Krampis), and Protodeacon Nicolas Mokhoff (cathedral clerics), as well as Hierodeacon Panteleimon (Jigalin; diocesan cleric). Praying in the altar was Metropolitan Hilarion of Eastern America & New York, First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad.

The Synodal choir sang prayerfully under the direction of conductor Vadim S. Gan.

Upon completion of Vigil, Archbishop Gabriel performed the Rite of the Exaltation of the Cross. Most of the faithful, in light of the fact that the feast fell on a Monday this year, came to the Rite of the Exaltation on the evening prior, late Sunday. Those who were able also came to church to pray at Divine Liturgy, as well, and communed of Christ’s Holy Mysteries.

Upon completion of Liturgy, Archbishop Gabriel spoke about the history of the feast of the Exaltation of the Cross of the Lord and said, in part:

"What does it mean to bear one’s cross? We are all given a cross at baptism, and in this way we are cross-bearers throughout the course of our lives. This can mean trials, illnesses, misfortunes, but when a person properly takes up his cross – that which the Lord sends us for our purification – it will always become much easier for such a one to endure these trails, sorrows, or illnesses, than for one who does not have faith or who complains against God. For a truly faithful person, all visitations by God serve unto the salvation of his soul."

The clergy then served a short moleben and venerated the cross.

Archbishop Gabriel also congratulated Fr. Andrei on his birthday.