Greetings to all with the ongoing feast of the Exaltation of the Precious and Life-giving Cross of the Lord!

Having served Divine Liturgy today in the Synodal St. Sergius Chapel and beginning to attend to various matters in my office, I was informed of the bomb threat situation at our Holy Trinity Monastery. This caused me grief. I prayed before the wonderworking Icon "Joy of All Who Sorrow" located in the St. Sergius chapel. I was later informed by His Grace, Bishop Luke, that all was well and the threat had been cleared. His Grace, the monks, seminarians, and those residing at the monastery, giving thanks to Almighty God, returned to their assigned obediences and studies.

As was before today and will continue after, prayer and the divine services are at the apex of life at Holy Trinity Monastery. The Orthodox Faith welcomes all to salvation, as does Holy Trinity Monastery, following the traditions of the Orthodox Faith.

In the Gospel from Matthew we read: "a lawyer asked Him a question, testing Him and saying, Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself'" (Matthew 22:35-39). This passage exemplifies life at Holy Trinity Monastery.

I urge the clergy and faithful to stay steadfast when there is much confusion around us. Be strong and continue to show love for God and your neighbor. Love will conquer all evil.

By the power and protection of the Holy Cross may the Lord continue to bless our Holy Trinity Monastery.

+NICHOLAS
Metropolitan of Eastern America & New York
First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia