On December 11, the 26th Sunday after Pentecost, Metropolitan Nicholas 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, co-served by Archbishops Gabriel of Montreal & Canada and Peter of Chicagsky & Mid-America.

Concelebrating with the hierarchs were: Archimandrite Gabriel (Pigarev; UOC cleric), cathedral dean Archpriest Andrei Sommer, Priest Daniil Millwood (rector of the Church of the Kursk Root Icon in Tucson, AZ), Priests Alexei Klar and Artem Siss (clerics of Holy Dormition Convent "Novo-Diveevo" in Nanuet, NY), Protodeacon Nicolas Mokhoff (cathedral cleric), and Hierodeacon Panteleimon (Jigalin; diocesan cleric).

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

Liturgy was held under the aegis of the Protectress of the Russian Diaspora – the Kursk Root Icon of the Mother of God.

A multitude of the faithful, who gathered to pray at Liturgy and venerate the wonderworking icon of the Most Holy Theotokos, communed of Christ’s Holy Mysteries.

Upon conclusion of the service, Archbishop Gabriel addressed the faithful with a sermon, in which he spoke, in part, about the travels of the Kursk Root Icon to Russia and the latest miracles attributed to the icon of the Mother of God.

Metropolitan Nicholas congratulated everyone with Lord’s Day, thanked the hierarchs and clergy for their joint prayers, and spoke about the divine services to be held during the coming week.

The cathedral sisterhood organized a traditional lenten luncheon for all in the church hall. Young parishioners of the Church of the Holy Myrrhbearers in Brooklyn prepared holiday cards for Christ’s Nativity, which were brought to the attention of the faithful who wished to obtain some of the handmade cards for the feast.