As the 2020 year departs, the Media Office of the Eastern American Diocese would like to share some of the year’s top stories with our readers. Below you will find articles on the principal and defining events in the life of the Diocese over the last year.

On December 27, the 29th Sunday after Pentecost and the 2nd Sunday before Nativity, that of the Holy Forefathers, Metropolitan Hilarion of Eastern America & New York celebrated Divine Liturgy in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign

On December 26-27, the 29th Sunday after Pentecost and the 2nd Sunday before Nativity, that of the Holy Forefathers, Eastern American Diocesan vicar Bishop Nicholas of Manhattan paid an archpastoral visit to St. Vladimir Memorial Church in Jackson, NJ, where he officiated the divine services.

On December 27, the Sunday of the Holy Forefathers, with the blessing of Metropolitan Hilarion of Eastern American & New York, Archbishop Gabriel of Montreal & Canada officiated the divine services in St. Luke the Blessed Surgeon Church in Pompano Beach, FL.

On Thursday the 24th and Friday the 25th of December, Metropolitan Jonah (Paffhausen) paid an archpastoral visit to Holy Cross Monastery in Wayne, WV, where he officiated the divine services

On Saturday, December 19, the feast of the Holy Hierarch Nicholas the Wonderworker, with the blessing of the First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad, Metropolitan Hilarion of Eastern America & New York, Bishop Isaac of Vorzel, a vicar of the Kiev Diocese of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, consecrated the Church of St. Seraphim of Sarov in Bávaro, on the eastern coast of the Dominican Republic.

This year, the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia (ROCOR) is marking its centennial. Although most of the celebrations were postponed until better times because of the pandemic, some of them have already taken place, locally. Metropolitan Hilarion of Eastern America & New York, First Hierarch of ROCOR, discusses what has been accomplished over the century and what challenges the Church faces today.

Despite the quarantine measures in place due to the Coronavirus pandemic, work with youth in the Eastern American Diocese is continuing wherever possible. For many years, the Diocese has hosted the traditional St. Herman Youth Conference on the feast day of Venerable Herman of Alaska and the surrounding days.

On Tuesday, December 22, the feast day of the icon of the Mother of God "Unexpected Joy," Eastern American Diocesan vicar Bishop Nicholas of Manhattan paid an archpastoral visit to the church of the same name in Staten Island, NY, where he celebrated Divine Liturgy on the occasion of the parish’s patronal feast day.

On December 19-20, the 28th Sunday after Pentecost and the feast of the Holy Hierarch Ambrose of Milan, Eastern American Diocesan vicar Bishop Nicholas of Manhattan paid an archpastoral visit to St. Elizabeth the New-Martyr Church in Columbia, SC, where he officiated the divine services

On Friday the 18th and Saturday the 19th of December, the feast of the Holy Hierarch and Wonderworker Nicholas of Myra in Lycia, Eastern American Diocesan vicar Bishop Nicholas of Manhattan paid an archpastoral visit to St. Nicholas Church in Fletcher, NC, to officiate the divine services in honor of the parish’s patronal feast day, accompanied by the wonderworking Kursk Root Icon of the Mother of God.

On Saturday, December 19, the feast of the Holy Hierarch & Wonderworker Nicholas, Archbishop of Myra in Lycia, Metropolitan Hilarion of Eastern America & New York paid an archpastoral visit to St. Nicholas Church in Stratford, CT, where he celebrated Divine Liturgy for the parish’s patronal feast day.

On December 20, the 28th Sunday after Pentecost and the feast day of the Holy Hierarch Ambrose, Bishop of Milan, Archbishop Gabriel of Montreal & Canada celebrated Divine Liturgy in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City.

On Thursday, December 17, the commemoration of the Holy Great-Martyr Barbara and Venerable John of Damascus, His Grace Nicholas, Bishop of Manhattan, paid an archpastoral visit to Holy Cross Monastery in Wayne, WV, accompanied by the wonderworking Kursk Root Icon of the Mother of God.

On Wednesday the 16th and Thursday the 17th of December, Bishop Nicholas of Manhattan visited Wayne, WV in order to bless the newest chapel of our Diocese, dedicated to Venerable John of Damascus, the great defender of icons and the author of the Paschal Canon and many other treasured Orthodox hymns.

On December 13, the 27th Sunday after Pentecost, local clergy gathered at Holy Trinity Church in Vineland, NJ, to honor the memory of Matushka Slavica Milosevic, who reposed one year ago.

On December 13, the 27th Sunday after Pentecost and the day when the Holy Church honors the memory of the Holy Apostle Andrew the First-Called, Eastern American Diocesan vicar Bishop Nicholas of Manhattan celebrated Divine Liturgy in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City.

On Saturday the 5th and Sunday the 6th of December, the 26th Sunday after Pentecost, the afterfeast of the great feast of the Entry into the Temple of the Most Holy Theotokos, and the commemoration of the Holy Hierarch Metrophanes of Voronezh, Archbishop Gabriel of Montreal & Canada paid an archpastoral visit to Holy Virgin Intercession Church in Glen Cove, NY, where he officiated the divine services.

On Wednesday the 9th and Thursday the 10th of December, festal divine services were held in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City, in honor of the cathedral’s patronal feast day ‒ the feast of the wonderworking Kursk Root Icon of the Mother of God.

In these important days of the celebration of the thirtieth anniversary of your personal Pentecost and the granting of the broadest autonomy to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in her salvific service, I send my heartfelt greetings to you, your brother-archpastors, pastors, monastics, and to the many millions of members of the God-loving flock of our fraternal Church of Kievan Rus with this great joy!

On Tuesday, December 8, the Leavetaking of the Feast of the Entry of the Most Holy Theotokos into the Temple, a regular session of the Synod of Bishops took place via videoconference, chaired by His Eminence Hilarion, Metropolitan of Eastern America & New York, First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad.

On December 6, the 26th Sunday after Pentecost, the Orthodox Church celebrated the memory of the Holy Right-Believing Great Prince Alexander Nevsky, in monasticism Alexis.

From Wednesday, November 25, to Monday, December 7, the Protectress of the Russian Diaspora ‒ the wonderworking Kursk Root Icon of the Mother of God ‒ spiritually warmed the hearts of the parishioners of St. John the Baptist Cathedral in Washington, DC and other parishes of the Eastern American Diocese’s Capital Region Deanery with her grace-filled presence.

On Saturday, December 5, His Eminence, Metropolitan Jonah (Paffhausen), celebrated Divine Liturgy at St. Demetrios of Thessaloniki Skete in Spotsylvania, VA

On Thursday the 3rd and Friday the 4th of December, the great feast of the Entry of the Most Holy Theotokos into the Temple was celebrated in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City.

On Saturday the 28th and Sunday the 29th of November, Eastern American Diocesan vicar Bishop Nicholas of Manhattan paid an archpastoral visit to St. Joseph of Optina Church in Virginia Beach, VA. His Grace brought with him a greatly revered holy icon of the Orthodox world ‒ the Kursk Root Icon of the Mother of God "of the Sign" ‒ for veneration by the faithful.

On Sunday evening, November 29, the Brotherhood of Saint Demetrios Skete in Spotsylvania, VA was blessed to be visited by Eastern American Diocesan vicar Bishop Nicholas of Manhattan, accompanying the wonderworking Kursk Root Icon of the Mother of God.

On November 29, the 25th Sunday after Pentecost and the feast of the Holy Apostle and Evangelist Matthew, Metropolitan Hilarion of Eastern America & New York celebrated Divine Liturgy in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City, co-served by Archbishop Gabriel of Montreal & Canada.

On Tuesday, November 17, Archbishop Gabriel of Montreal & Canada began his visit to Saint Tikhon Church in Blountville, TN and the Tennessee/Virginia Tri-Cities region). On Wednesday, November 18th, the parish celebrated its patronal feast day of Saint Tikhon, Patriarch and Confessor of Moscow.

On Monday the 23rd and Tuesday the 24th of November, Metropolitan Jonah (Paffhausen) paid an archpastoral visit to St. Martin of Tours Mission in Montgomery Alabama on the occasion of its patronal feast day.

The wonderworking Kursk Root Icon of the Mother of God continues her visitation to Florida with a visit to the recently established parish of the Pochaev Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos in North Port, FL.

On November 22, the 24th Sunday after Pentecost and the date when the Holy Church honors the memory of the Holy Hierarch Nektarios of Aegina, Eastern American Diocesan vicar Bishop Nicholas of Manhattan celebrated Divine Liturgy in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City.

Having learned of the repose of His Holiness, Patriarch Irinej, we deeply empathize with you all, and hastened to church with special urgency and commemorated his departed soul during the Divine Liturgy celebrated today at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Sign in New York City

On Friday, November 20, the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the Supreme Ecclesiastical Authority Abroad, His Grace Nicholas, Bishop of Manhattan, celebrated Divine Liturgy in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City, residence of the First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad.

I sincerely greet you with the 725th Anniversary of the appearance of the miraculous Kursk Root Icon of the Mother of God of the Sign, and with the Centennial of the founding of the Higher Church Administration Abroad

On Saturday, November 14, the clergy and parishioners of Sts. Cosmas & Damian Church in Passaic, NJ celebrated their parish’s patronal feast day.

On Sunday, November 8, Holy Apostles Church in Beltsville, MD, became perhaps the first Orthodox parish in North America to celebrate the commemoration of Holy Right-Believing Alfred, King of England.

Recently, two diaconal ordinations expanded the ranks of the clergy at St. Herman of Alaska Church in Stafford, VA and St. Demetrios of Thessaloniki Skete in Spotsylvania, VA.

On Saturday, November 7, Eastern American Diocesan vicar Bishop Nicholas of Manhattan began his visitation to the Florida parishes of the Russian Church Abroad with the Kursk Root Icon of the Mother of God.

On the afternoon of Sunday, November 8, Bishop Nicholas of Manhattan made an archpastoral visit to the Apostolic Mission of Christ (under the Protection of the Holy Apostles) in Miami, FL, accompanied by the wonderworking Kursk Root Icon of the Mother of God.

On Monday, November 9, the brethren of Holy Cross Monastery in Wayne, WV officially broke ground on our new church. At noon, the brotherhood, led by monastery abbot Archimandrite Seraphim (Voepel), served a moleben at the site of the new temple and sprinkled the entire area with holy water.

On Saturday the 7th and Sunday the 8th of November, Metropolitan Hilarion of Eastern America & New York paid an archpastoral visit to Our Lady "Joy of All Who Sorrow" Church in Cumming (Atlanta), GA. On November 6, the parish celebrated its patronal feast day of the Icon of the Mother of God "Joy of All Who Sorrow."

On October 31, the Holy Church commemorates the Holy Apostle and Evangelist Luke. This is the namesday of Eastern American Diocesan vicar Bishop Luke of Syracuse, who served as abbot of Holy Trinity Monastery and rector of Holy Trinity Seminary in Jordanville, NY.

In October 2014, six Orthodox Christians met for dinner at a restaurant in Hoover, AL, and discussed the possibility of opening a mission parish for Orthodox faithful living in Greater Birmingham, outside the city limits.

On Friday, November 6, the feast day of the Icon of the Mother of God "Joy of All Who Sorrow," Eastern American Diocesan vicar Bishop Nicholas of Manhattan paid an archpastoral visit to Joy of All Who Sorrow Church in Philadelphia, PA, where he celebrated Divine Liturgy for the parish’s patronal feast.

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic deprived our congregation of our annual parish pilgrimage to Holy Trinity Monastery, this year marking the 23rd anniversary of the martyrdom of Brother Jose Muñoz-Cortes

On Sunday, November 1, the feast of the Righteous John of Kronstadt, Eastern American Diocesan vicar Bishop Luke of Syracuse paid an archpastoral visit to St. John of Kronstadt Memorial Church in Utica, NY, where he celebrated Divine Liturgy on the occasion of the parish’s patronal feast day.

On Wednesday, November 4, the feast of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God, Bishop Nicholas of Manhattan paid an archpastoral visit to Our Lady of Kazan Church in Newark, NJ, where he led its patronal feast day.

On Tuesday, November 3, when the Holy Church honors the memory of Venerable Hilarion, Schemamonk of the Kiev Caves – the Heavenly patron of the First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad ‒ Metropolitan Hilarion of Eastern America & New York celebrated Divine Liturgy in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City.

On November 1, the 21st Sunday after Pentecost and the date when the Russian Church Abroad celebrates the glorification of the Holy Righteous John of Kronstadt, Bishop Nicholas of Manhattan celebrated Divine Liturgy in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City.

Thanks to a very generous benefactor, a full set of 13 Russian bells has been donated for the belfry of our new church at Holy Cross Monastery in Wayne, WV. They were made at the largest bell foundry in Russia and are perfectly tuned.

On October 25, the Sunday the Fathers of the Seventh Ecumenical Council, His Grace, Eastern American Diocesan vicar Bishop Nicholas of Manhattan, paid an archpastoral visit to Holy Fathers Church in New York City, where he celebrated Divine Liturgy on the occasion of the parish’s patronal feast day.

On Tuesday the 13th and Wednesday the 14th of October, the feast of the Protection of the Most Holy Theotokos, Holy Intercession Church in Glen Cove, NY celebrated its patronal feast day.

From October 22-25, Metropolitan Hilarion of Eastern America & New York paid an archpastoral visit to St. Mary of Egypt Church in Roswell (Atlanta), GA, where he performed the great consecration of the church.

On Saturday the 10th and Sunday the 11th of October, the Synaxis of the Venerable Fathers of the Kiev-Caves Lavra residing in the Near Caves, Eastern American Diocesan vicar Bishop Nicholas of Manhattan officiated the divine services in Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville, NY.

On October 18, the 19th Sunday after Pentecost and the date when the Holy Church honors the memory of the Holy Hierarchs of Moscow: Peter, Theognostus, Alexis, Cyprian, Photius, Jonah, Gerontius, Joasaph, Macarius, Philip, Job, Hermogenes, Tikhon, Peter, Philaret, Innocent, and Macarius, Bishop Nicholas of Manhattan celebrated Divine Liturgy in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City.

On Thursday the 15th and Friday the 16th of October, the feast of the Holy Hieromartyr Dionysius the Areopagite, the Brotherhood of St. Dionysios in St. James, NY, began the celebration of their third annual patronal feast day.

On Wednesday, October 14, the feast of the Protection of the Mother of God, Metropolitan Hilarion of Eastern America & New York paid an achpastoral visit to Holy Protection Church in Nyack, NY to officiate the divine services for the parish’s patronal feast.

On Wednesday, October 14, the feast of the Protection of the Most Holy Theotokos ‒ one of the most beloved feasts among the Russian people ‒ Eastern American Diocesan vicar Bishop Nicholas of Manhattan ‒ paid an archpastoral visit to Holy Protection Skete in Buena, NJ, where he celebrated Divine Liturgy for the monastery’s patronal feast day

Metropolitan Hilarion of Eastern America & New York, First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad, has blessed the organization of a course series of refresher instruction and in-depth catechization for laity and clergy, which will take the form of ordered spiritual lectures. The lectures will be conducted in Russian.

On Thursday, October 8, when the Holy Church commemorates the repose of Venerable Sergius, Abbot of Radonezh and Wonderworker of All Russia, Metropolitan Hilarion of Eastern America & New York celebrated Divine Liturgy in St. Sergius Church at the Synodal Headquarters in New York City.

On Saturday the 26th and Sunday the 27th of September, the great feast of the Exaltation of the Life-Creating Cross of the Lord, His Grace, Eastern American Diocesan vicar Bishop Nicholas of Manhattan, paid an archpastoral visit to St. Luke the Blessed Surgeon Church in its new location in Pompano Beach, FL, and officiated divine services.

On Sunday, October 4, the day of the Leavetaking of the feast of the Exaltation of the Life-Creating Cross of the Lord, Metropolitan Hilarion of Eastern America & New York celebrated Divine Liturgy in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City

On Saturday the 26th and Sunday the 27th of September, the great feast of the Universal Exaltation of the Cross of our Lord, Eastern American Diocesan vicar Bishop Luke of Syracuse officiated the festal divine services in Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville, NY.

On Saturday the 26th and Sunday the 27th of September, on the great feast of the Exaltation of the Precious and Life-Creating Cross of the Lord, Metropolitan Hilarion of Eastern America & New York officiated the divine services in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City.

On Sunday, September 27, the brotherhood of Holy Cross Monastery in Wayne, WV celebrated their patronal feast, the great feast of the Exaltation of the Precious and Life-Giving Cross of the Lord.

On Monday, September 21, the great feast of the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos, His Eminence Hilarion, Metropolitan of Eastern America & New York, First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad, paid an archpastoral visit to Nativity of the Mother of God Church at the New Kursk Root Hermitage in Mahopac, NY.

On Saturday, September 19, Metropolitan Hilarion of Eastern America & New York performed the blessing of the cupola and cross for the future St. Michael Church in Wayne, NJ.

On Saturday the 19th and Sunday the 20th of September, Archbishop Gabriel of Montreal & Canada visited Nativity of the Mother of God Church in Albany, NY, and led the divine services there. 

On the great feast of the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos, festal divine services were held in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City.

On September 20, the 15th Sunday after Pentecost and the Sunday before the Exaltation, Bishop Nicholas of Manhattan celebrated Divine Liturgy in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City.

On Monday, September 14, the feast of the Indiction or Church new year, Bishop Nicholas of Manhattan traveled south to Harrisonburg, VA, to visit the parish of the Holy Myrrhbearers.

Holy Trinity Orthodox Seminary in Jordanville, NY, opened the 2020-21 academic year with a series of events, which took place during the first two weeks of September.

The annual feast of the Beheading of the Forerunner and Baptist of the Lord John ‒ our 71st parish feast day ‒ was celebrated with great edification.

On Thursday, September 17, the clergy and parishioners of St. Joasaph of Belgorod Church in Brooklyn, NY celebrated their parish’s patronal feast day ‒ the Finding of the Relics of the Holy Hierarch Joasaph, Bishop of Belgorod.

From Thursday the 10th to Sunday the 13th of September, Metropolitan Hilarion of Eastern America & New York paid an archpastoral visit to St. Alexander Nevsky Memorial Church in Richmond, ME, where he officiated the divine services.

The Holy Right-Believing Great Prince Alexander Nevsky was and remains for the Russian people an example of a model Christian, a brave warrior, and a wise commander. Churches and monasteries in Russia and around the world are named for him.

On September 6, the 13th Sunday after Pentecost, Bishop Nicholas of Manhattan celebrated Divine Liturgy in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City.

On Saturday the 5th and Sunday the 6th of September, Metropolitan Hilarion of Eastern America & New York officiated All-Night Vigil and celebrated Divine Liturgy at St. Nicholas Church in Fletcher, NC

On August 30, the 17th Sunday after Pentecost, Metropolitan Hilarion of Eastern America & New York celebrated Divine Liturgy in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City.

On Sunday, August 29, the afterfeast of the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos and the day when the Holy Church celebrates the feast of the Translation from Edessa to Constantinople of the Icon of our Lord Jesus Christ "Not Made by Hands," Eastern American Diocesan vicar Bishop Nicholas of Manhattan paid an archpastoral visit to Holy Myrrhbearers Church in Brooklyn, NY

Offering up praise to Compassionate God, Who maketh His sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust (Matthew 5:45), the Church is praying ardently for the final deliverance of people from the devastating pestilence that has set upon us this year

On Thursday the 27th and Friday the 28th of August, the great feast of the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos, Metropolitan Hilarion of Eastern America & New York officiated the All-Night Vigil and celebrated Divine Liturgy in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City.

On Friday, August 28, the great feast of the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos, Bishop Nicholas of Manhattan arrived at Holy Dormition Convent "Novo-Diveevo" in Nanuet, NY, to join the monastics, clergy, and faithful in celebrating the convent’s patronal feast day.

On Thursday the 27th and Friday the 28th of August, the brethren of Holy Cross Monastery in Wayne, WV celebrated the great feast of the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos

On August 23, the 11th Sunday after Pentecost, Metropolitan Hilarion of Eastern America & New York celebrated Divine Liturgy in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City, concelebrated by Bishop Nicholas of Manhattan.

On Sunday, August 23, the clergy and parishioners of St. John the Baptist Cathedral in Mayfield, PA congratulated their longtime rector, Archpriest John Sorochka with the 50th anniversary of his priestly ordination.

On Wednesday, August 19, the great feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord, Metropolitan Hilarion of Eastern America & New York celebrated Divine Liturgy ‒ and officiated the All-Night Vigil the evening prior ‒ in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City.

On August 16, the 10th Sunday after Pentecost and the date when the Holy Church honors the memory of Venerable Anthony the Roman, Wonderworker of Novgorod, Metropolitan Hilarion of Eastern American & New York celebrate Divine Liturgy in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City.

On Saturday the 8th and Sunday the 9th of August, the brotherhood of Holy Cross Monastery in Wayne, WV celebrated the feast day of the monastery’s patron saint, the Holy Great-Martyr and Healer Panteleimon

The clergy and parishioners of the Church of the Holy Great-Martyr and Healer Panteleimon in Hartford, CT recently celebrated their patronal feast day. Bishop Luke of Syracuse, vicar of the Eastern American Diocese, came to share in the joy of the feast

On Sunday, August 9, the feast day of the Holy Great-Martyr and Healer Panteleimon and Venerable Herman of Alaska, Metropolitan Hilarion of Eastern America & New York celebrated Divine Liturgy in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City.

On Tuesday, August 4, the brethren and parishioners gathered at St. Dionysios the Areopagite Monastery in St. James, NY to bid farewell to Archimandrite John (Erickson) who reposed in the Lord on Friday, July 31, after a lengthy battle with cancer.

On Tuesday, July 28, the feast of the Holy Equal-of-the-Apostles Great Prince Vladimir, Bishop Luke of Syracuse celebrated Divine Liturgy in the main cathedral of Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville, NY.

"Here is that which is most dear to the Russian people: the holy miracles of saints, prophecies, and heavenly signs. And truly, no celebration in Russia ever saw the coming together of such multitudes in Russia as the opening of new holy relics,"

Many parishioners ‒ both regulars and newcomers ‒ have become once more to attend the divine services at the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City, observing the required maximum attendance and safety measures after the recent quarantine.

Every family has its special and joyous dates and holidays. The main holidays of the parish family of St. Seraphim Memorial Church in Sea Cliff, NY, are its patronal feasts. These are days when the Holy Church specially honors the memory of Venerable Seraphim, Wonderworker of Sarov:

On Saturday, August 1, the feast of the Finding of the Relics of Venerable Seraphim, Wonderworker of Sarov, with the blessing of His Eminence Hilarion, Metropolitan of Eastern America & New York, Archbishop Gabriel of Montreal & Canada visited Holy Dormition Convent "Novo-Diveevo" in Nanuet, NY, and celebrated the festal Divine Liturgy in the convent’s St. Seraphim Cathedral.

In the middle week of July, His Grace Nicholas, Bishop of Manhattan, visited Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville, NY, where he participated in the liturgical life of the brotherhood.

On Monday the 27th and Tuesday the 28th of July, the feast of the repose of the Holy Equal of the Apostles Great Prince Vladimir, Metropolitan Hilarion of Eastern America & New York officiated at the divine services ‒ the All-Night Vigil and Divine Liturgy ‒ for the patronal feast day of St. Vladimir Memorial Church in Jackson, NJ.

On July 26, the 7th Sunday after Pentecost, commemorating the Holy Fathers of the Six Ecumenical Councils, and the Synaxis of the Archangel Gabriel, Eastern American Diocesan vicar Bishop Nicholas of Manhattan led the traditional annual St. Vladimir’s Day Celebrations and celebrated Divine Liturgy in St. Vladimir Memorial Church in Jackson, NJ.

After many years of patience, thanks to kind donors and the work of the head of the Haitian Mission Archpriest Jean Chenier-Dumais, the Mission Secretary Matushka Rose Legouté, and her brother Priest Pierre Laguerre, rector of the Church of St. John of San Francisco, in Les Cayes in southwestern Haiti, a beautiful cupola was installed on the church.

Every year on July 18, the English mission parish at the Synodal Headquarters in New York City celebrates its patronal feast day on the memorial of the finding of the holy relics of Venerable Sergius of Radonezh.

More and more parishioners are returning to the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City. Many new faces are visible in church, too, most of whom are youth. On Sunday, July 12, when the Holy Church celebrates the memory of the Holy Preëminent Apostles Peter and Paul

On Wednesday the 8th and Thursday the 9th of July, Bishop Jerome paid an archpastoral visit to Our Lady of Tikhvin Church in Howell, NJ, where he led the divine services for the parish’s patronal feast.

On Monday the 6th and Tuesday the 7th of July, the feast of the Nativity of the Holy Prophet, Forerunner, and Baptizer of the Lord John, His Grace Nicholas, Bishop of Manhattan, paid an archpastoral visit to St. John the Baptist Cathedral in Mayfield, PA, and led the divine services for the parish’s patronal feast day.

Starting in mid-March, on the advice of His Eminence, Metropolitan Hilarion, Holy Cross Monastery in Wayne, WV stopped receiving all outside visitors in response to the worldwide outbreak of COVID-19.

This past week, to the joy of the clergy and faithful, the divine services continued to be performed at the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City in the presence of parishioners, after a lengthy period of suspension.

In accordance with the determinations of local authorities, following quarantine measures associated with the Coronavirus epidemic, parishioner attendance at the divine services in the churches of New York City resumed, with certain health and safety requirements: wearing masks and maintaining social distance.

On Saturday the 20th and Sunday the 21st of June, the feast of All Saints who Shone Forth in the Russian Land, His Grace Nicholas, Bishop of Manhattan, paid an archpastoral visit to St. Luke the Blessed Surgeon Church, leading the first hierarchal services in the parish’s new location in Pompano Beach, FL.

On June 21, the 2nd Sunday after Pentecost, of All Saints who shone forth in the Russian land, Metropolitan Hilarion of Eastern America & New York celebrated Divine Liturgy in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City.

I lovingly greet you all with the concluded days of the Paschal period, when we hear the most beautiful, instructive, and contemplative hymnography at the divine services, dedicated to the great work of our salvation!

On Saturday the 13th and Sunday the 14th of June, the First Sunday after Pentecost, of All Saints, Bishop Nicholas served the All-Night Vigil and celebrated Divine Liturgy in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign.

Holy Trinity Orthodox Seminary in Jordanville, NY announce that, this past Sunday, May 31, Priest Daniel Franzen became the first candidate in the 72-year history of the seminary to be awarded the graduate-level degree of Master of Divinity, summa cum laude.

On the eve of the feast of the Holy Trinity, Pentecostal Soul Saturday, June 6, Bishop Nicholas of Manhattan celebrated Divine Liturgy for the Departed in St. Sergius Chapel at the Synodal Headquarters in New York City.

On Saturday the 6th and Sunday the 7th of June, the great feast of Holy Pentecost, the clergy and parishioners of Holy Trinity Church in Mebane, NC celebrated their patronal feast day

On Saturday the 30th and Sunday the 31st of May, the Sunday of the Holy Fathers of the First Ecumenical Council, Bishop Nicholas of Manhattan celebrated Divine Liturgy in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City.

It is with heartfelt pain, yet with hope for eternal life that I received news today of the repose of Archbishop Agapit of Stuttgart, and hasten to express my empathy in the sorrow of Your Eminence, the brethren of St. Job of Pochaev Monastery in Munich

On May 31, the Sunday of the Fathers of the First Ecumenical Council, the faithful gathered at St. Vladimir Cemetery in Jackson, NJ for a panihida at St. John the Baptist Chapel to commemorate the victims of Lienz

On Wednesday the 27th and Thursday the 28th of May, the great feast of the Ascension of the Lord, Metropolitan Hilarion of Eastern America & New York, First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad, led the All-Night Vigil and celebrated Divine Liturgy in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City

On May 24, the last Sunday of Paschaltide, of the Blind Man, Bishop Nicholas of Manhattan celebrated Divine Liturgy in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City.

The Paschal divine services continue at the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City. On May 17, the 5th Sunday of Holy Pascha, of the Samaritan Woman, Bishop Nicholas of Manhattan celebrated Divine Liturgy

On Wednesday, May 13, the feast of Mid-Pentecost, in response to requests by many Orthodox Christians Bishop Nicholas of Manhattan served a moleben and akathist to the Most Holy Theotokos, and then performed an aerial procession with the Kursk Root Icon of the Mother of God around Manhattan and the New York Metropolitan Area, including the counties of Long Island.

Special services ‒ being conducted in the absence of parishioners ‒ continue at the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City. Meanwhile, all those who wish to follow along and pray can do so by watching the livestream online.

On May 3, the Third Sunday of Holy Pascha, of the Myrrh-bearing Women, Eastern American Diocesan vicar Bishop Nicholas of Manhattan paid an archpastoral visit to Holy Myrrhbearers Church in Brooklyn, NY, where he celebrated Divine Liturgy in honor of the parish’s patronal feast.

Epistle of His Holiness Kyrill, Patriarch of Moscow & All, Russia on the 3rd Sunday of Pascha, the Myrrh-bearing Women, to the clergy and faithful of the Russian Orthodox Church:

On May 3, the Sunday of the Holy Myrrh-bearing Women, Archbishop Gabriel of Montreal & Canada celebrated Divine Liturgy in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City

On Wednesday, April 29, the clergy and parishioners of St. Michael Church in Wayne, NJ marked another milestone as they work to construct a new temple. Parish rector Archpriest George Zelenin blessed the new cupola and cross before a crane placed them atop of the future church.

Having heard of the death of His Grace, Bishop Benjamin, I hasten on the radiant days of Holy Pascha, which bolster our hope for eternal life, to express my condolences personally, along with those of the archpastors, brethren, and parishioners of the Russian Church Abroad.

Throughout Passion Week and up to the radiant feast of Christ’s Resurrection (Pascha), divine services were held in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City, and owing to the current crisis situation were broadcast to the faithful via live-stream.

I learned of the death of Archpriest Alexander Ageykin with heartfelt pain, for he was a faithful son and servant of the Church of Christ, and I hasten to express the condolences of the hierarchy, clergy, and flock of the Russian Church Abroad

With the joy of God’s Kingdom, as we are "divinely glad, for Christ is risen" (from the Paschal Canon), I offer my Paschal greeting to all: both to those who have successfully completed the reclusion of their quarantine, celebrating now in the churches and communing of Christ’s Holy Mysteries

By the grace of the All-Merciful God, we have been vouchsafed to arrive at the radiant Paschal night, and once again rejoice in the glorious Resurrection of Christ. I sincerely greet all of you, my dear ones, with this great feast and "festival of festivals."

On Saturday the 11th and Sunday the 12th of April, the great feast of the Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem, Metropolitan Hilarion of Eastern America & New York, First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad, led the All-Night Vigil and celebrated Divine Liturgy

On Monday the 6th and Tuesday the 7th of April, the great feast of the Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos, the First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad, Metropolitan Hilarion of Eastern America & New York, led the All-Night Vigil and celebrated Divine Liturgy in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City.

On the 5th week of Great Lent, the clergy of the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign and St. Sergius Chapel in New York City continued to hold the lenten divine services in the absence of parishioners.

I sincerely greet you with the very warmest well-wishes for the blessings of God, good health, spiritual calm, and the patience so needed in this trying time! I especially greet the doctors, nurses, and all who work in the hospitals, sincerely wishing them increased strength and Heavenly aid!

It is now the second Sunday of this Great Lent that, in accordance with requirements by City authorities in connection with the ongoing epidemic crisis, Divine Liturgy in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City

As we enter the fourth week of Great Lent, may the "invincible and incomprehensible and divine power of the precious and life-giving Cross" bless and protect you!

On March 22, the feast of the Holy Forty Martyrs of Sebaste, and this year also the 3rd Sunday of Lent, dedicated to the Veneration of the Cross, Eastern American Diocesan vicar Bishop Nicholas of Manhattan celebrated Divine Liturgy in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City

With the blessing of His Eminence, Metropolitan Hilarion, on March 15, the Second Sunday of Great Lent, dedicated to St. Gregory Palamas, His Grace Nicholas, Bishop of Manhattan, visited Protection of the Mother of God Church in Rochester, NY

On Saturday the 14th and Sunday the 15th of March, Metropolitan Hilarion of Eastern America & New York visited the Church of the Pochaev Icon of the Mother of God in North Port, FL.

In order to console and nourish the faithful who are quarantined, monastery abbot Archimandrite Seraphim (Voepel) has blessed for church services at Holy Cross Monastery in Wayne, WV to be live-streamed for the duration of the viral outbreak crisis.

Monday, March 16, marks twelve years since the repose of the ever-memorable Metropolitan Laurus – the fifth First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad.

With a sense of weighty responsibility not only for the eternal salvation of men’s souls, but also for the physical health of the clergy, monastics, parishioners, and worshippers of the Russian Church Abroad, I have been attentively following the development of events relating to the spread of the coronavirus

During the first week of Great Lent, March 2-6, the full cycle of divine services was held in Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville, NY.

The Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church has been following with concern the spread of the coronavirus infection throughout the world and its consequences for millions of people, many of whom not only face the threat of infection, but are also experiencing social and economic consequences therefrom.

On the Sunday of the Triumph of Orthodoxy, March 8, on which date the Orthodox Church also commemorates the First and Second Findings of the Head of St. John the Forerunner, Metropolitan Hilarion of Eastern America & New York celebrated Divine Liturgy and led the Rite of Orthodoxy in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City

On Tuesday, March 4, an icon of the Holy Nun-Martyr Grand Duchess Elizabeth, founder of Sts. Martha & Mary Convent in Moscow, was delivered to American from Belarus. Greeting the holy image in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City

Parishioners in the youth group "Molodezhka," together with Priest Roman Chistyakov, head of youth ministry at the Nativity of the Theotokos Convent in Moscow, organized a very interesting meeting. 

The first week of Great Lent in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City began with the reading of the Penitential Canon of St. Andrew of Crete.

On March 1, Forgiveness (Cheesefare) Sunday, the commemoration of Adam’s expulsion from Paradise, Metropolitan Hilarion of Eastern America & New York celebrated Divine Liturgy in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City,

On February 23, the Sunday of Meatfare and commemoration of the Dread Judgment, Eastern American Diocesan vicar Bishop Nicholas of Manhattan paid an archpastoral visit to St. Panteleimon Church in Hartford, CT, where he celebrated Divine Liturgy.

On February 23, the Sunday of Meatfare and commemoration of the Dread Judgment, Metropolitan Hilarion of Eastern America & New York celebrated Divine Liturgy in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City.

On Sunday, February 16, the feast day of the Holy Equal-of-the-Apostles Nicholas, Archbishop of Japan, Metropolitan Hilarion of Eastern America & New York and Bishop Nicholas of Manhattan celebrated Divine Liturgy in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City.

On February 2, the Sunday of Zacchæus, with the blessing of His Holiness Kyrill, Patriarch of Moscow & All Russia, while visiting Moscow to take part in the work of the Council of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church, His Grace Nicholas, Bishop of Manhattan, celebrated Divine Liturgy Holy Epiphany Diocesan Cathedral in Yelokhovo.

As announced last year, the brethren of Holy Cross Monastery in Wayne, WV, have been hard at work completing the first phase of the construction of their new church.

On Friday the 14th and Saturday the 15th of February, the great feast of the Meeting of the Lord, Eastern American Diocesan vicar Bishop Nicholas of Manhattan visited Holy Presentation Church in Stratford, CT, and led the divine services for the parish’s patronal feast day.

On Saturday, February 15, the great feast of the Meeting of the Lord, Metropolitan Hilarion of Eastern America & New York celebrated Divine Liturgy in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City.

On Wednesday, February 12, Holy Trinity Seminary in Jordanville, NY celebrated its annual patronal feast day of the Three Great Holy Hierarchs: Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian, and John Chrysostom.

On February 8-9th, the Sunday of the Sunday of the Publican & the Pharisee, as well of the Holy New Martyrs & Confessors of Russia, St. Martin of Tours Mission in Montgomery, AL, was honored by a visit from the dean of Georgia, Alabama & Mississippi

On February 9, the Sunday of the Holy New Martyrs & Confessors of Russia, Metropolitan Hilarion of Eastern America & New York led the patronal feast of the eponymous church in Brooklyn, NY.

On Friday, February 7, the feast of Holy Hieromartyr Vladimir, Metropolitan of Kiev & Galicia, Metropolitan Hilarion of Eastern America & New York, paid an archpastoral visit to the Church of Our Lady "Unexpected Joy" on Staten Island, NY, where he celebrated Divine Liturgy.

On Saturday, February 1, the 11th anniversary of the enthronement of His Holiness Kyrill, Patriarch of Moscow & All Russia, the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church was joined by representatives of the Local Orthodox Churches...

The great feast of Theophany – the Baptism of the Lord – comes at the end of the so-called "Holy Days," or Christmastide. At Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville, NY, the divine services for the feast began with the reading of the Royal Hours on Friday morning, January 17, with no Liturgy, since the feast fell on Sunday this year.

In March 2013, Metropolitan Hilarion, First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, blessed the establishment of the parish of St. Luke the Blessed Surgeon. Providentially, the parish held its first Liturgy on Sunday, March 17, the eve of the Feast of the Uncovering of St. Luke’s relics.

On Saturday the 18th and Sunday the 19th of January, the great feast of the Baptism of our Lord (Theophany), Metropolitan Hilarion of Eastern America & New York paid an archpastoral visit to Holy Epiphany Church in Boston, MA, where he led the divine services for the parish’s patronal feast day.

On Saturday the 18th – Theophany Eve – and Sunday the 19th of January, the great feast of the Theophany (the Baptism of the Lord), Eastern American Diocesan vicar Bishop Nicholas of Manhattan led the All-Night Vigil and celebrated Divine Liturgy in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City.

On Wednesday, January 15, the commemoration of the repose and second finding of the relics of Venerable Seraphim of Sarov, Metropolitan Hilarion of Eastern America & New York visited Holy Dormition Convnet "Novo-Diveevo" in Nanuet, NY...

On January 12, the Sunday of the Holy Ancestors of God (the feast of the Holy King David, Righteous Joseph the Betrothed, and Apostle James, Brother of the Lord), Metropolitan Hilarion of Eastern America & New York celebrated Divine Liturgy in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City

On Sunday, January 12, the traditional St. Alexander Nevsky Russian School Yolka was held in Howell, NJ. Children performed a beautiful Nativity play, directed by Anna Mohlenhoff, Elena Serebrennikova, and Lubov and Maria Volski.

New Photographs 1-15 The Diocesan Media Office has begun publishing photo-reports of the Nativity of our Lord in parishes and monasteries of the Eastern American Diocese on the diocesan website. 

On Monday the 6th and Tuesday the 7th of January, the great feast of Christ’s Nativity, Metropolitan Hilarion of Eastern America & New York celebrated Divine Liturgy in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City, co-served by Bishop Nicholas of Manhattan.

From the depths of my heart, I congratulate you all on the radiant feast of the Nativity of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The wondrous miracle of the incarnation of God, which was accomplished more than two thousand years ago, today fills our souls with ineffable joy. "Today God hath come to earth and man hath ascended to the heavens" 

On January 5, the Sunday before Christ’s Nativity, dedicated to the Holy Fathers, Metropolitan Hilarion of Eastern America & New York celebrated Divine Liturgy in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City, co-served by Bishop Nicholas of Manhattan.

With a feeling of humble gratitude and love in the Lord, I greet you all with the "metropolis of all feasts," as St. John Chrysostom named the day of Christ’s Nativity, which we now celebrate! May God’s grace...

On Wednesday, January 1, at Metropolitan Hilarion of Eastern American & New York paid an archpastoral visit to Holy Dormition Convent "Novo-Diveevo" in Nanuet, NY, where he attended the All-Night Vigil for the feast of Righteous John of Kronstadt.

On Monday, December 30, with the blessing of His Eminence Hilarion, Metropolitan of Eastern America & New York, First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad, Three Hierarchs Church in Hollywood, FL, was received under the omophorion of Church Abroad and the Eastern American Diocese.