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.

The Liturgy was celebrated in the cave, on the altar at the place of Christ’s Nativity.

Singing at Divine Liturgy was the Patriarch Tikhon Russian-American Music Institute (PaTRAM) male choir, under the direction of Elias Dubelsten. The 55-person choir is currently on pilgrimage in the Holy Land, performing concerts and holding the first-ever recording of a new CD of Rachmaninoff’s "All-Night Vigil" arranged for male choir.

After Liturgy, the hierarchs, clergy, and choristers were invited for a reception with Metropolitan Benedict.