On Monday, January 29, His Beatitude Tikhon, Metropolitan of All America & Canada, Primate of the Orthodox Church in America, visited the Synodal Residence of the First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia in New York City.

At the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign, Metropolitan Tikhon was greeted by His Eminence Nicholas, Metropolitan of Eastern America & New York. Having venerated the Kursk Root Icon of the Mother of God of the Sign, the right hand of the Venerable-Martyr Grand Duchess Elizabeth Feodorovna, the cassock of Righteous John of Kronstadt, and the lifetime portrait of Venerable Seraphim of Sarov from Holy Dormition Convent "Novo-Diveevo" in Nanuet, NY, which after its restoration is temporarily located in the cathedral, the hierarchs proceeded to the cathedral’s sanctuary and venerated the altar table. Metropolitan Nicholas then spoke about the holy relics kept here: icons from the Ipatiev House which belonged to the Royal Family, and the sticharion of the Holy Hierarch John of Shanghai & San Francisco.

After recounting to His Beatitude the history of the cathedral and the Synodal residence, Metropolitan Nicholas invited Metropolitan Tikhon to his chambers for lunch. The Primates enjoyed a fraternal conversation here, touching upon issues of mutual interest in a warm and friendly atmosphere.

After lunch, the hierarchs exchanged commemorative gifts.

Before leaving the Synodal Residence, His Beatitude toured the meeting hall of the Synod of Bishops and venerated the relics of St. Sergius of Radonezh Chapel on the ground floor, praying before the wonderworking Harbin Icon of the Mother of God "Joy of All Who Sorrow."

On behalf of the Orthodox Church in America, the meeting was attended by its Chancellor, Archpriest Alexander Rentel. On the part of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, Archpriest Serafim Gan, Chancellor of the Synod of Bishops and secretary of the ROCOR First Hierarch, participated.

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