On Saturday, August 19, the great feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord, Metropolitan Nicholas 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 Andrei Sommer (cathedral cleric), Protodeacon Nicolas Mokhoff (cathedral cleric), and Hierodeacon Panteleimon (Jigalin; diocesan cleric).

Singing at Liturgy was the Synodal choir under the direction of conductor Vadim S. Gan. A multitude of the faithful gathered to pray on the great feast.

Upon completion of Liturgy, Metropolitan Nicholas blessed baskets of fruits. In his sermon, His Eminence spoke about the feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord and noted that "Today, the Lord calls all of us to prayer. Do we hear this call? Whether we want to pray with God depends on us."

"We are frequently surrounded by enticements, temptations, and unpleasant things. Many suffer and ask ‒ where is God? Christ is on Mount Tabor; He is transfigured, and we also can become participants in His divine glory. But we must labor, we must confess Christ to be the Son of God. And we must never be tempted, no matter what may be happening around us, firmly believing that our faith is salvific, true, and joyous, and that Christ can save us."

The First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad called on the faithful to continue their prayers for peace and for the salvation of our souls, that we might be transfigured and make a new beginning in our lives.