On Friday, August 19, the great feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord, Bishop Nicholas of Manhattan celebrated Divine Liturgy in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City. Concelebrating with His Grace were: cathedral dean Archpriest Andrei Sommer, Protodeacon Nicolas Mokhoff (cathedral cleric), and Hierodeacon Panteleimon (Jigalin; diocesan cleric).

Singing beautifully at Liturgy was the Synodal choir under the direction of conductor Vadim S. Gan.

A multitude of cathedral parishioners and faithful from other churches came to pray at the service, most of whom communed of Christ’s Holy Mysteries.

Worshippers were under the aegis of the Protectress of the Russian Diaspora ‒ the wonderworking Kursk Root Icon of the Mother of God.

Upon completion of the service, His Grace performed the traditional blessing of fruits. Bishop Nicholas greeted everyone with the feast, spoke about its content and meaning, and reminded the faithful how important it is not just to honor the great feast on this day, but especially to take part in the divine services and events, to feel the Divine Light ‒ "to ascend Mount Tabor;" alone, according to the example of Christ the Savior, to pray to God and bear witness that Christ is the Son foo the Living God, Who has the power to save man; to strive to find ourselves on Tabor ‒ "where our God is and where it is good for us to be."

The cathedral sisterhood prepared a lenten meal for parishioners.