On Saturday, October 8, the feast of the Repose of Venerable Sergius, Abbot of Radonezh and Wonderworker of all Russia, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York celebrated Divine Liturgy for the patronal feast day of St. Sergius Church at the Synodal Headquarters in New York City.

On Thursday, September 26 ‒ the Forefeast of the Exaltation of the Cross ‒ Hurricane Helene struck the Asheville-Fletcher region of Western North Carolina. By evening, St. Nicholas Church in Fletcher had lost power and internet, yet a few parishioners braved the storm to attend the festal All-Night Vigil.

On October 6, the 15th Sunday after Pentecost and the day when the Holy Church celebrates the Conception of the Holy and Glorious Prophet, Forerunner, and Baptist of the Lord John, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York celebrated Divine Liturgy in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City.

The Parish School at Holy Virgin Protection Church in Nyack, NY has begun its new school year. On Saturday, September 28, school director and parish rector Archpriest Elias Gorsky, director of studies and parish cleric Priest Andrew Podymow

On September 29, the 14th Sunday after Pentecost, that after the Exaltation, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York celebrated Divine Liturgy in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City during the ongoing feast of the Exaltation of the Cross of the Lord.

On the week of the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross ‒ the patronal feast of Holy Cross Monastery in Wayne, WV ‒ Archimandrite Seraphim (Voepel) and the brotherhood received an archpastoral visit by Metropolitan Jonah (Paffhausen).

On Thursday, September 26, the southeastern United States was impacted by Hurricane Helene, which left extensive damage in its path, as well as numerous fatalities and injuries.

On Thursday the 26th and Friday the 27th of September, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York officiated the divine services for the great feast of the Exaltation of the Cross of the Lord in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City.

Some of the twelve great feasts of the Church come in pairs. Nativity  is followed by Theophany; Ascension is followed by Pentecost; Transfiguration by Dormition. So also is the case with the feasts of the Nativity of the Theotokos and the Exaltation of the Cross.

On Sunday, September 22, His Eminence Nicholas, Metropolitan of Eastern America & New York, First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad, performed an archpastoral visit to the Church of the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos at the New Kursk Root Hermitage in Mahopac, NY, and celebrated Divine Liturgy there

The new academic year has begun at Holy Trinity Orthodox Seminary in Jordanville, NY. After a few days of orientation for new students and the traditional Labor Day pilgrimage to the monastery, the annual convocation was held on Tuesday, September 3, in Protopresbyter Valery Lukianov Hall.

On Monday the 23rd and Tuesday the 24th of September, the feast of the glorification of Blessed Xenia of St. Petersburg (1978), Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York, First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad, performed an archpastoral visit to the eponymous church in Methuen, MA.

On Wednesday the 11th and Thursday the 12th of September, Archbishop Gabriel of Montreal & Canada paid an archpastoral visit to St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in Howell, NJ on the occasion of its patronal feast day.

On Friday the 20th and Saturday the 21st of September, the great feast of the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York paid an archpastoral visit to Nativity of the Mother of God Church in Albany, NY, and officiated the divine services there on the occasion of the parish’s patronal feast day.

On Saturday the 7th and Sunday the 8th of September, the parishioners of St. John the Baptist Cathedral in Washington, DC marked a wonderful milestone in the life of their parish: the 75th anniversary of its founding. On September 11, 1949, on the feast of the Beheading of St. John the Forerunner, the Holy Hierarch John of Shanghai celebrated Divine Liturgy for the first time in the newly established Washington community.

On September 15, the 12th Sunday after Pentecost, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York celebrated Divine Liturgy in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City, concelebrated by Archbishop Gabriel of Montreal & Canada

On Saturday, September 14, the beginning of the Ecclesiastical New Year and feast of the Synaxis of the Saints of Diveevo, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York paid an archpastoral visit to Holy Dormition Convent "Novo-Diveevo" in Nanuet, NY to officiate the 75th anniversary of the convent’s founding by the ever-memorable Archbishop Andrei (Rymarenko; +1978).

On Wednesday the 11th and Thursday the 12th of September, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York, First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad, paid archpastoral visits to St. Innocent of Alaska Mission in Bucksport, ME and St. Alexander Nevsky Memorial Church in Richmond, ME.

On Tuesday, September 10, members of ROCOR’s Haitian Mission joyfully celebrated the patronal feast of the Parish of St. Moses the Black (Paroisee Saint Moise le Noir) in Fontamara.

Protodeacon Andrei Psarev, Ph.D., Professor of Russian Church History and Canon Law at Holy Trinity Seminary in Jordanville, NY and the founder of ROCOR Studies, shares his analytical reflections on an event of the day.

It has been the tradition of Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville, NY to take advantage of the long Labor Day weekend for the spiritual benefit of the faithful, by holding the popular celebration of the memory of Venerable Job of Pochaev together with the Pochaev Icon of the Mother of God.

On Sunday, September 1, the feast of Holy Martyr Andrew Stratelates, Archbishop Gabriel of Montreal & Canada paid an archpastoral visit to the eponymous cathedral in St. Petersburg, FL, where he celebrated Divine Liturgy on the occasion of its patronal feast.

On September 1, the 10th Sunday after Pentecost, a joyous series of events took place in the Church of the Nativity of Christ and St. Nicholas in Florence, Italy. The hierarchical services that weekend were officiated by the First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad, His Eminence Nicholas, Metropolitan of Eastern America & New York

The feast of the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos is celebrated very solemnly in Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville, NY. In recent years, the Burial of the Mother of God has been added to the monastery typicon.

On Tuesday the 27th and Wednesday the 28th of August, the great feast of the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York officiate the divine services in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City. Concelebrating with His Eminence at Divine Liturgy were cathedral clerics: dean Archpriest Andrei Sommer and Protodeacon Serge Arlievsky.

The Dormition is one of the most beloved and significant feasts of the Orthodox Church. The three great Lavras in Ukraine – Kiev Caves, Pochaev, and Svyatogorsk ‒ are dedicated to the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos. Likewise, more churches and monasteries in Rus’ were dedicated to this event than to any other. In the Florida Gethsemane – the Church of our Lady of Pochaev in North Port ‒ the great feast of the Dormition is celebrated with special trepidation and solemnity.

On Sunday, August 25, on the threshold of the feast of the Dormition of the Mother of God, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York, First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad, paid an archpastoral visit to Holy Dormition Convent "Novo-Diveevo" in Nanuet, NY, where he performed several monastic tonsures.

On Sunday, August 25, with the blessing of His Eminence, Metropolitan Nicholas, Archbishop Gabriel of Montreal & Canada visited Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville, NY. There, he presided over the Rite of Consecration of Antimensia, co-served by monastery abbot Bishop Luke of Syracuse.

On August 25, the 9th Sunday after Pentecost and the Afterfeast 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 cathedral clerics: dean Archpriest Andrei Sommer and Protodeacon Serge Arlievsky.

On Sunday the 18th and Monday the 19th of August, on the great feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord, Bishop Luke of Syracuse, vicar of the Eastern American Diocese, officiated the All-Night Vigil and Divine Liturgy in in Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville, NY. His Grace was co-served by monastery clergy.

On Friday, August 16, clergy of the Eastern American Diocese gathered to serve the funeral of Archpriest Seraphim Stephens (former rector of St. Joseph of Optina Church in Virginia Beach, VA), who reposed on Friday, August 9. With the blessing of His Eminence Alexander, Archbishop of Dallas & the South of the OCA, the funeral was held in Holy Dormition Church in Norfolk, VA.

Attached to this appeal by my unworthiness to the Fullness of the Russian Church Abroad is a video about the history and significance of the Synodal Residence in New York City, which is the House of the Kursk Root Icon of the Mother of God “of the Sign,” the Protectress of the Russian Diaspora. Please familiarize yourselves with this short film, prepared by the Diocese of Germany, about the building that houses our spiritual and administrative center, and provide us with all possible assistance in the major renovation of the Synodal Residence.

On Sunday the 18th and Monday the 19th of August, His Eminence Nicholas, Metropolitan of Eastern America & New York, officiated the divine services for the great feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City.

On Sunday the 18th and Monday the 19th of August, the great feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord, His Grace, Bishop Jerome (Shaw), officiated the divine services in Nativity of the Mother of God Church at the New Kursk Root Hermitage in Mahopac, NY.

From July 28 to August 9, clergy, counselors, and young campers attending St. Seraphim Camp concluded its 32nd year in picturesque Blakeslee, PA.

On Thursday the 8th and Friday the 9th of August, Archimandrite Seraphim (Voepel) and the brethren of Holy Cross Monastery in Wayne, WV joyfully received the First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York, for celebrations in honor of the monastery’s Heavenly intercessor and protector ‒ the Holy Great-Martyr and Healer Panteleimon.

On Saturday, August 10, the popular celebration of the Holy Great-Martyr Panteleimon was held at St. Panteleimon Chapel in Kittatinny, NJ, the sister-church of the St. Seraphim Memorial Church in Sea Cliff, NY. The celebrations were timed to coincide with the chapel’s patronal feast, which took place on Friday, August 9.

On August 11, the 7th Sunday after Pentecost and the day when the Holy Church likewise commemorates the Nativity of the Holy Hierarch Nicholas, Wonderworker of Myra in Lycia, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York celebrated Divine Liturgy in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City.

On Thursday the 8th and Friday the 9th of August, the clergy and parishioners of St. Panteleimon Church in Hartford, CT, celebrated their patronal feast. His Grace, Eastern American Diocesan vicar Bishop Luke of Syracuse, came to Hartford to officiate the festal divine services.

On August 5, the Orthodox Church honors the Pochaev Icon of the Mother of God. It was in honor of the Pochaev Icon that, with the blessing of the ever-memorable Metropolitan, the community in North Port in West Florida was established.

On Friday, August 9, following a lengthy illness, Archpriest Seraphim Stephens, retired cleric and former rector of St. Joseph of Optina Church in Virginia Beach, VA, reposed in the Lord. He was 83 years old.

On Sunday, July 14, the 34th annual summer session of the Synodal School of Liturgical Music (SSLM) began with a moleben in St. Seraphim Cathedral at Holy Dormition Convent "Novo-Diveevo" in Nanuet, NY

On Tuesday, August 1, the feast of Venerable Seraphim, Wonderworker of Sarov, despite its being a workday, a large number of the faithful gathered at St. Seraphim Church in Sea Cliff, NY, the Memorial Church to the Reestablishment of Unity within the Russian Orthodox Church. The festal service was distinguished by its extraordinary splendor and profundity.

On Wednesday, July 31, and Thursday, August 1, the feast of the Finding of the Relics of Venerable Seraphim, Wonderworker of Sarov, Archbishop Gabriel of Montreal & Canada visited Holy Dormition Convent "Novo-Diveevo" in Nanuet, NY, in connection with the patronal feast of the convent’s main church.

On Sunday, July 28, the feast of the Holy Equal-of-the-Apostles Great Prince Vladimir, the annual St. Vladimir’s Day Celebrations were held in Jackson, NJ. A multitude of diocesan clergy, guests, and faithful from several states gathered for the feast.

On Sunday, June 28, the feast of Holy Equal-of-the-Apostles Great Prince Vladimir, the clergy and parishioners of the eponymous church in Miami, FL celebrated their patronal feast day.

Two years ago, with the blessing of Bishop (now Metropolitan) Nicholas, St. Clement of Rome Mission was established under the spiritual direction of Archimandrite John (Townsend; rector of St. Mary of Egypt Church in Atlanta, GA) to serve the spiritual needs of the Orthodox faithful in Rome, GA, and the surrounding communities.

On Tuesday the 23rd and Wednesday the 24th of July, Bishop Luke of Syracuse visited Our Lady "Quick to Hear" Convent in Richfield Springs, NY, where he officiated the solemn divine services on the feast of Holy Equal-of-the-Apostles Great Princess Olga.

On June 9, the 6th Sunday of Pascha ‒ that of the Blind Man ‒ Holy Trinity Orthodox Seminary in Jordanville, NY held commencement exercises at the conclusion of its 76th academic year. The day began with a hierarchal Divine Liturgy concelebrated by His Eminence Gabriel, Archbishop of Montreal & Canada, and His Grace Luke, Bishop of Syracuse and rector of the seminary.

On July 21, the 4th Sunday after Pentecost and the feast of the Appearance of the Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos in Kazan, His Grace Theodosius, Bishop of Seattle, celebrated Divine Liturgy in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City.

Every year, St. George Pathfinders of America’s New York-based "Tsarskoe Selo" Chapter holds a summer camp for boy and girl scouts of Russian heritage in the Adirondack Mountains of Upstate New York. The organization is a direct successor to the original Russian scouting movement founded under Tsar-Martyr Nicholas II in 1909

On Saturday, July 13, Holy Apostles Church in Beltsville, MD, celebrated the 23rd anniversary of the founding of the parish on its patronal feast day ‒ the Synaxis of the Twelve Apostles.

On Thursday, July 18, the feast of the Holy Venerable Martyr Elizabeth Feodorovna, Bishop Theodosius of Seattle paid an archpastoral visit to the eponymous church in Rocky Hill, NJ, where he celebrated Divine Liturgy on the occasion of the parish’s patronal feast.

On July 14, the third Sunday after Pentecost, His Eminence Nicholas, Metropolitan of Eastern America & New York, First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad, celebrated Divine Liturgy at All Russian Saints Church at the diocesan administration and residence of His Eminence George, Archbishop of Sydney, Australia & New Zealand.

On Tuesday the 16th and Wednesday the 17th of July, Bishop Theodosius of Seattle paid an archpastoral visit to Our Lady of Tikhvin Church in Howell, NJ, and officiated the divine services on the feast of the Holy Martyrs Emperor Nicholas II, Empress Alexandra, Crown Prince Alexis, Grand Duchesses Olga, Tatiana, Maria, and Anastasia, and the Passion-bearer Eugene the Physician.

On Tuesday evening, July 9, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York, traveling with the Kursk Root Icon of the Mother of God "of the Sign," arrived in Sydney, Australia. Greeted at the airport by Bishop George of Sydney, Australia & New Zealand

On Monday the 8th and Tuesday the 9th of July, with the blessing of Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York, His Grace Theodosius, Bishop of Seattle, paid an archpastoral visit to Our Lady of Tikhvin Church in Howell, NJ, where he officiated the divine services in honor of the church’s patronal feast day.

On Thursday the 11th and Friday the 12th of July, the feast of the Holy Preeminent Apostles Peter & Paul, His Grace Theodosius, Bishop of Seattle, paid an archpastoral visit to the Orthodox Youth Camp of the Association of Russian Explorers Outside of Russia in the Catskill Mountains, Woodbourne, NY.

On Wednesday, July 12, the feast day of the Holy Supreme Leaders of the Apostles Peter and Paul, Bishop Luke of Syracuse celebrated Divine Liturgy in Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville, NY, co-served by monastery clergy.

On Monday, July 8, His Grace, Bishop Jerome (Shaw), arrived at Holy Virgin Protection Church in Nyack, NY, to celebrate Divine Liturgy and officiate the funeral of Archpriest George Larin, pastor emeritus of that parish and one-time diocesan secretary, who reposed in the Lord on July 5.

On Sunday, July 7, the feast of the Nativity of the Holy Prophet, Forerunner, and Baptist of the Lord John, Eastern American Diocesan vicar Bishop Luke of Syracuse paid an archpastoral visit to St. John the Baptist Cathedral in Mayfield, PA, where he officiated the divine services in honor of the parish’s patronal feast day.

On July 7, the 2nd Sunday after Pentecost and feast of the Nativity of the Holy Glorious Prophet, Forerunner, and Baptist of the Lord John, with the blessing of Metropolitan Ncholas of Eastern America & New York, Bishop Theodosius of Seattle, First Vicar of the Western American Diocese, celebrated Divine Liturgy in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City.

On Tuesday, July 2, the feast day of the repose of the Holy Hierarch John, Archbishop of Shanghai & San Francisco, the Wonderworker, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York, accompanied by the wonderworking Kursk Root Icon of the Mother of God, departed for New Zealand. This marks the beginning of His Eminence’s primatial visit to the parishes of ROCOR’s Diocese of Australia & New Zealand.

The Holy Spirit illuminates with His strength all the missionary work of the True Faith; and the Holy Hierarch John of Shanghai & San Francisco is one of its greatest saints. The 20th century never ceases to surprise us. The grace we receive from our God is so great that we also see it present in our parish missions.

On Friday, July 5, the 9th Friday after Holy Pascha and feast of the Kursk Root Icon of the Mother of God of the Sign, Archpriest George Larin reposed in the Lord. He was 89 years old.

On Tuesday, June 25, the 14th All-Diaspora Russian Orthodox Youth Conference began its work in the suburbs of Stuttgart, Germany. In attendance were 130 young men and women from different continents: a third of the participants were from the host country of Germany, with large delegations from the U.S. and Australia, which are always active in youth events, as well as young people from Canada, Austria, and others ‒ a total of 11 countries.

On Friday, June 28, All-Night vigil was served in the Cathedral of the Mother of God "Joy of All Who Sorrow" in San Francisco, CA, on the eve of the 30th anniversary of the uncovering of the relics of the Holy Hierarch John, Archbishop of Shanghai & San Francisco, the Wonderworker. Before the service, the wonderworking Kursk Root Icon of the Mother of God "of the Sign" was greeted at the entrance to the temple.

On Sunday, June 23, the great feast of Pentecost was celebrated in Holy Trinity Monastery in the traditional way, with three days of solemn services. The day before, Pentecost Soul Saturday, Divine Liturgy was celebrated, upon conclusion of which a general panihida was served by the monastery abbot ‒ His Grace Luke, Bishop of Syracuse, together with the monastery clergy.

On Sunday, June 23, the great feast of Holy Pentecost, His Eminence Nicholas, Metropolitan of Eastern America & New York, paid an archpastoral visit to Holy Trinity Church in Vineland, NJ, where he celebrated the festal Divine Liturgy in honor of the parish’s patronal feast day.

On Sunday, June 23, the great feast of Holy Pentecost, His Grace, Bishop Jerome (Shaw), paid an archpastoral visit to Holy New Martyrs & Confessors of Russia Church in Brooklyn, NY, where he celebrated the festal Divine Liturgy, followed by Great Vespers with the kneeling prayers.

On June 15-16, the Sunday of the Holy Fathers of the First Ecumenical Council, the mission of St. Elizabeth the New Martyr in Cullman, AL celebrated its first All-Night Vigil and Divine Liturgy with their new rector, Priest Theodore Foley.

On Sunday, June 23, the great feast of Holy Pentecost took place. This feast is the birthday of the Church, because the Holy Spirit descended upon the apostles, and thus they were vested with "power from on high," the grace of the Holy Spirit for the creation of Christ’s Church throughout the world.

On Sunday, June 16, a delegation from the Russian Church Abroad, headed by Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York, took part in Divine Liturgy at St. Nicholas Cathedral in Sremski Karlovci, Serbia. On Monday, June 17, having bidden farewell to Bishops Vasilije of Srem and Irinej of Bačka, they departed first to Žiča and then to Studenica.

On June 12, on the feast of the Leavetaking of Holy Pascha and on the eve of the great feast of the Ascension of the Lord, a second cupola was installed on the main St. Seraphim of Sarov Cathedral of Holy Dormition Convent "Novo-Diveevo" in Nanuet, NY. Before raising the dome to the roof of the temple, the dome was blessed by the convent clergy.

On Saturday, June 15, members of the Synodal delegation of the Russian Church Abroad, headed by Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York, prayed at Divine Liturgy in the home church of the Patriarchal Palace in Sremski Karlovci, Serbia, where His Beatitude Anthony (Khrapovitsky), Metropolitan of Kiev & Galicia, the first First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad, once loved to pray.

On June 15-16, the afterfeast of the Ascension of our Lord and the Sunday of the Holy Fathers of the First Ecumenical Council, His Grace, Eastern American Diocesan vicar Bishop Luke of Syracuse, came from Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville, NY to Sts. Theodore Church in Buffalo, NY, where he officiated the celebrations in honor of one of the parish’s patron saints ‒ the Great Martyr Theodore Stratelates ‒ and the translation of his relics.

On Friday, June 14, a joint session of the synods of the Serbian Church and the Russian Church Abroad was held in Sremski Karlovci under the chairmanship of His Holiness Porfirije, Patriarch of Serbia. The solemn meeting was attended by Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York, First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad, and the Right Reverend members of the Holy Synods of Bishops of both Churches.

On Thursday, June 13, the great feast of the Ascension of the Lord, a delegation of the Russian Church Abroad, headed by Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America, participated in the Patriarchal divine services at the Church of the Ascension in Belgrade, Serbia.

Forty days after Pascha, the Feast of feasts, the Church celebrates one of the twelve great feasts of the Church: the Ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ into Heaven. Herein we celebrate that the Lord Jesus Christ took on our human nature, which He divinized and took to Heaven to sit at the right hand of His Father.

On Wednesday, June 12, the Leavetaking of Holy Pascha, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York, First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad, celebrated Divine Liturgy in Holy Trinity Church, constructed by Russian émigrés in Belgrade 100 years ago.

Early on Tuesday morning, June 11, 2024, His Eminence Nicholas, Metropolitan of Eastern America & New York, First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad, arrived in Belgrade, accompanying the Kursk Root Icon of the Mother of God "of the Sign."

On June 9, the 6th Sunday after Holy Pascha, that of the Blind Man, His Eminence Nicholas, Metropolitan of Eastern America & New York, celebrated Divine Liturgy in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City.

On Friday, May 17, The Women’s Ensemble performed its debut concert in Holy Presentation of Christ Church in Stratford, CT. The concert was held as a fundraiser for ROCOR’s Ecclesiastical Mission in the Holy Land benefitting the monastics and clergy living and serving there.

On June 2, the Fifth Sunday after Pascha, that of the Samaritan Woman, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York performed an archpastoral visit to Our Lady of Kazan Church in Newark, NJ, where he celebrated Divine Liturgy.

On June 2, the Fifth Sunday after Pascha, that of the Samaritan Woman, His Grace, Eastern American Diocesan vicar Bishop Luke of Syracuse, performed an archpastoral visit to St. Luke the Blessed Surgeon Church in Pompano Beach, FL

On May 26, the Sunday of the Paralytic, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York celebrated Divine Liturgy in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City.

With the blessing of His Eminence Nicholas, Metropolitan of Eastern America & New York, the parishioners of Holy Trinity Church in Mebane, NC have embarked on a new missionary effort to spread the Gospel of Christ in North Carolina’s Research Triangle.

On May 26, the Sunday of the Paralytic, His Grace, Bishop Jerome (Shaw) paid an archpastoral visit to St. Nicholas Church in Poughkeepsie, NY, where he celebrated Divine Liturgy. His Grace’s visit was timed to coincide with the parish’s patronal feast – May 9/22, the summer feast day of the Holy Hierarch Nicholas, Wonderworker of Myra in Lycia.

On Wednesday, May 22, the Feast of the Translation of the Relics of the Holy Hierarch Nicholas, Wonderworker of Myra in Lycia, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York paid an archpastoral visit to St. Nicholas Church in Endicott, NY to celebrate Divine Liturgy on the occasion of the parish’s patronal feast.

Saturday, May 25, marked the sixth anniversary of the blessed repose of Protopresbyter Valery Lukianov, longtime rector of St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in Howell, NJ. Parish and local clergy gathered to honor the feast and pray for the eminent cleric’s soul.

On May 26, the Sunday of the Paralytic, Archpriest James Dougherty reposed in the Lord. He was 67 years old.

On May 19, the Sunday of the Holy Myrrh-bearing Women, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York, paid an archpastoral visit to the Church of the Entrance into the Temple of the Holy Virgin in Jamesville (near Syracuse), NY, where he celebrated Divine Liturgy.

On May 19, the 3rd Sunday of Pascha, dedicated to the Holy Myrrh-bearing Women, His Eminence, Metropolitan Jonah (Paffhausen), paid an archpastoral visit to the eponymous church in Mount Crawford, VA, where he celebrated Divine Liturgy on the occasion of the parish’s patronal feast.

On Saturday, May 18, the feast of the icon of the Mother of God "The Inexhaustible Chalice," Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York paid an archpastoral visit to the eponymous stavropegial metochion church in Brooklyn, NY, in honor of its patronal feast day.

On May 19, the Sunday of the Myrrh-bearing Women, with the blessing of Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York, Archbishop Gabriel of Montreal & Canada performed an archpastoral visit to Holy Myrrhbearers Church in Brooklyn, NY, where he celebrated Divine Liturgy on the occasion of the parish’s patronal feast.

On May 19, the 3rd Sunday of Pascha, dedicated to the Holy Myrrh-bearing Women, His Grace, Bishop Jerome (Shaw), paid an archpastoral visit to Holy Virgin Protection Church in Nyack, NY, where he celebrated Divine Liturgy. The visit to the Nyack parish on this weekend has become an annual tradition for the retired diocesan vicar.

On May 12, the 2nd Sunday of Pascha, dedicated to the Holy Apostle Thomas, His Eminence Nicholas, Metropolitan of Eastern America & New York, celebrated Divine Liturgy in St. Seraphim Cathedral of Holy Dormition Convent "Novo-Diveevo" in Nanuet, NY.

On Wednesday, May 15, Holy Apostles Church in Beltsville, MD, hosted a screening of the award-winning documentary "Sacred Alaska." The screening was held in the historic Greenbelt Cinema, a small local theater near the church, in the historic town of Greenbelt. 97 tickets were sold. The purpose of the screening was missionary, following in the footsteps of our Venerable Father Herman of Alaska.

On Thursday, May 16, the second anniversary of the repose of Metropolitan Hilarion (Kapral; +2022), sixth First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad, His Eminence Nicholas, Metropolitan of Eastern America & New York, served a panihida after Divine Liturgy in St. Sergius of Radonezh Chapel at the Synodal Headquarters in New York City.

May 3/16 is the feast day of Venerable Theodosius of the Kiev Caves – the founder of cœnobitic monasticism in Rus’. This year marks the 950th anniversary of the blessed repose of the great abbot and founder of the future Kiev Caves Lavra.

On Bright Saturday, May 11, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York paid an archpastoral visit to St. Vladimir Memorial Church in Jackson, NJ, where he celebrated the Paschal Divine Liturgy. At the entrance to the Memorial Church dedicated to the Millennium of the Baptism of Rus’, the First Hierarch was greeted by its deputy rector, Archpriest Serge Ledkovsky.

The Diocesan Media Office will publish photo-reports of Holy Week & the Feast of feasts – the Lord’s Pascha in the parishes and monasteries of the Eastern American Diocese on the diocesan website. 

This year, with the blessing of His Eminence Nicholas, Metropolitan of Eastern America & New York, a new mission dedicated to St. Peter the Aleut was opened in White Pine, TN, under the spiritual direction of the clergy of St. Tikhon Church in Blountville, TN. Services are conducted in a temporary location while a more suitable site is procured.

On Bright Tuesday, May 7, the third day of Christ’s Glorious Resurrection, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York paid an archpastoral visit to St. George Church in Howell, NJ. The visit of the First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad was timed to coincide with the parish’s patronal feast 

On Bright Monday, May 6, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York paid an archpastoral visit to St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in Howell, NJ, where he celebrated Divine Liturgy.

On Saturday the 4th and Sunday the 5th of May, the radiant feast of Pascha ‒ the Resurrection from the dead of our Lord, God, and Savior Jesus Christ ‒ Bishop Jerome (Shaw) officiated the divine services in Nativity of the Mother of God Church at the New Kursk Root Hermitage in Mahopac, NY.

On Sunday, May 5, the clergy and a multitude of parishioners and guests of the main cathedral of the Russian Church Abroad – the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City – celebrated the greatest Christian feast ‒ Christ’s Glorious Resurrection.

On Sunday, May 5, the entirety of the Orthodox Church celebrated the Feast of feasts and the Festival of festivals – Christ’s Glorious Resurrection. The Pascha of the Lord is the Feast of the triumph of Life over death, God’s Love over evil and emptiness, of Truth over falsehood.

With joy and thankfulness in my heart, I greet you on this salvific night of Pascha, when our Lord Jesus Christ rose on the third day, pouring out His unfailing love and mercy on the whole world.

On today’s "feast of feasts and Festival of festivals," which, as the Holy Hierarch Gregory the Theologian proclaims, "is far exalted above all others – not only those which are merely human and are of the earth, but even those which are of Christ himself, and are celebrated in His honor

On Great Wednesday, May 1, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York celebrated the final Divine Liturgy of Presanctified Gifts for this year in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City.

On April 28, the great feast of the Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem (Palm Sunday), Bishop Jerome (Shaw) celebrated Divine Liturgy in Nativity of the Mother of God Church at the New Kursk Root Hermitage in Mahopac, NY.

On Sunday, April 28, the great feast of the Entrance of the Lord into Jerusalem (Palm Sunday), Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York celebrated Divine Liturgy in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City, and officiated the All Night Vigil on the eve of the feast ‒ Saturday, April 27,.

On Saturday the 27th and Sunday the 28th of April, the great feast of the Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem (Palm Sunday), His Grace, Eastern American Diocesan vicar Bishop Luke of Syracuse, officiated the festal divine services in Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville, NY.

On Saturday the 20th and Sunday the 21st of April, the feast of the Laudation of the Most Holy Theotokos and the Sunday of St. Mary of Egypt, His Eminence Nicholas, Metropolitan of Eastern America & New York, paid an archpastoral visit to the eponymous church in Roswell (Atlanta), GA, where he officiated the divine services on the occasion of the parish’s patronal feast.

April turned out to be a month full of wonderful events in the life of St. John the Baptist parish in Washington, DC. First, the capital community was visited by the Sitka Icon of the Mother of God, brought by His Grace Alexei, Bishop of Sitka & Alaska.

The end of March and the beginning of April turned out to be a period filled with a number of joyful events in the spiritual life of St. John the Baptist Cathedral in Washington, DC.

For Release: At the February 21/March 5, 2024, session of the Synod of Bishops, which was held at the Synodal Headquarters in New York City, a resolution was heard from the Spiritual Court of the Eastern American Diocese regarding the activities of Abbot Tikhon (Gayfudinov), Archpriest Andrei Pastukh, Archpriest Edward Chervinsky, and Protodeacon Vladimir Oliynyk, who wrought disturbance in the church life of several diocesan parishes.

On Saturday the 13th and Sunday the 14th of April, with the blessing of His Eminence Nicholas, Metropolitan of Eastern America & New York, First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad, Western American Diocesan vicar Bishop Theodosius of Seattle paid an archpastoral visit to St. Saint Luke the Blessed Surgeon Church in Pompano Beach, FL

On Monday afternoon, April 15, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York arrived in Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville, NY to officiate the funeral of newly departed Protodeacon Joseph Jarostchuk, who reposed in the Lord the Thursday prior.

On Friday, April 12, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York paid an archpastoral visit to Our Lady "Unexpected Joy" Church in Staten Island, NY, where he performed the Sacrament of Holy Unction.

On Wednesday evening, April 10, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York performed the Sacrament of Holy Unction in Nativity of the Theotokos Church in Albany, NY.

On Saturday, April 6, on the eve of the great feast of the Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos, His Eminence Nicholas, Metropolitan of Eastern America & New York, paid an archpastoral visit to Holy Annunciation Church in Flushing, NY

On Saturday the 6th and Sunday the 7th of April, divine services were held in Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville, NY for the great feast of the Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos, as well as for the Lenten Sunday of the Cross. 

On the morning of Thursday, April 11, Protodeacon Joseph Jarostchuk (longtime cleric of St. John of Kronstadt Memorial Church in Utica, NY; since 2021 – of Holy Epiphany Church in Roslindale (Boston), MA) reposed in the Lord. He was 81 years old.

On Saturday the 6th and Sunday the 7th of April, the 3rd Sunday of Great Lent, that of the Veneration of the Cross, and when the Holy Church also celebrates the great feast of the Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos this year, His Grace, Bishop Jerome (Shaw) paid an archpastoral visit to St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in Howell, NJ, where he officiated the divine services.

On Friday, April 5, at St. Vladimir Memorial Church in Jackson, NJ, a panihida was served for Matushka Tamara Kizenko, who reposed the Wednesday prior.

On Saturday, March 30, the Sitka Icon of the Mother of God visited the American capital. The wonderworking icon remains on a permanent basis in St. Michael Diocesan Cathedral in Sitka, Alaska, and is one of the more venerated icons of the Mother of God in North America.

On Saturday, March 30, with full Lenten sense of the mercy of God and the recognization of our own human limitation, the local faithful of Misión San Juan de Shanghai y San Francisco in Matagalpa, Nicaragua,

On Wednesday, April 10, the Great Lenten Retreat for clergy of the northern deaneries of the Eastern American Diocese concluded with the celebration of the Divine Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts in Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville, NY.

On Tuesday, April 9, priests and deacons of the northern deaneries of the Eastern American Diocese gathered in Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville, NY for the start of the Great Lenten Pastoral Retreat.

On April 7, the 3rd Sunday of Great Lent, that of the Veneration of the Cross, and when the Holy Church also celebrates the great feast of the Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos this year, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York celebrated Divine Liturgy in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City.

On Friday, April 5, His Eminence Nicholas, Metropolitan of Eastern America & New York, paid an archpastoral visit to Holy Dormition Convent "Novo-Diveevo" in Nanuet, NY, where he celebrated the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts at the convent’s St. Seraphim Cathedral.

On Saturday the 6th and Sunday the 7th of April, the 3rd Sunday of Great Lent, that of the Veneration of the Cross, coincided with the great feast of the Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos. In every church, the "Fountainhead of our salvation" was celebrated, and the faithful worshipped the Life-Giving Cross of the Lord.

On Wednesday, April 3, the Great Lenten Retreat for clergy of the southern deaneries of the Eastern American Diocese concluded with the celebration of the Divine Liturgy of Presanctified Gifts in St. Mary of Egypt Church in Roswell (Atlanta), GA.

On Wednesday, April 3, Matushka Tamara Kizenko, wife of the ever-memorable Archpriest Boris Kizenko (long-time cleric of St. Vladimir Memorial Church in Jackson, NJ; +2010), reposed in the Lord. She was 89 years old.

On Tuesday, April 2, clergymen of the southern deaneries of the Eastern American Diocese flocked to St. Mary of Egypt Church in Roswell (Atlanta), GA for the start of the Southern Great Lenten Clergy Retreat.

On Saturday the 30th and Sunday the 31st of March, the 2nd Sunday of Great Lent, dedicated to the Holy Hierarch Gregory Palamas, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York paid an archpastoral visit to Protection of the Mother of God Church in Rochester, NY, where he officiated the divine services.

On March 24, the first Sunday of Great Lent, dedicated the Triumph of Orthodoxy, His Grace, Bishop Jerome (Shaw), paid an archpastoral visit to Nativity of the Mother of God Church in Albany, NY, where he officiated the divine services.

On March 24, the first Sunday of Great Lent, dedicated the Triumph of Orthodoxy, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York celebrated Divine Liturgy in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City.

Having learned of the horrible attack on the peaceful citizens of Moscow, I hasten to express my deepest condolences to Your Holiness, and through you to the archpastors, clergy, and flock of the Russian Orthodox Church and the entire Russian people.

On March 20, Wednesday of the First Week of Great Lent, His Eminence Nicholas, Metropolitan of Eastern America & New York, prayed at the appointed divine services in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City, and then celebrated the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts.

On March 17, Cheesefare Sunday (also called Forgiveness Sunday, the Commemoration of Adam’s expulsion from Paradise), Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York celebrated Divine Liturgy in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City.

On March 17, Cheesefare Sunday (also called Forgiveness Sunday, the Commemoration of Adam’s expulsion from Paradise), Bishop Jerome (Shaw) celebrated Divine Liturgy in Nativity of the Mother of God Church at the New Kursk Root Hermitage in Mahopac, NY.

On Saturday, March 16, the 16th anniversary of the repose of Metropolitan Laurus (Škurla; 2008) of blessed memory, His Eminence Nicholas, Metropolitan of Eastern America & New York, First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad, visited Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville, NY.

On March 13-14,  Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York visited the Church of the Icon of the "Reigning" Mother of God in Charlotte, NC, and led the divine services in honor of the parish's patronal feast. In accordance with the Typicon, Divine Liturgy is not served on Wednesday or Friday of Cheesefare, so the feast (usually March 2/15) was transferred to the day prior.

Great Lent is approaching – a time set aside for delving into ourselves, for examining our lives, for repentance and correction. Great Lent is not only a time to refrain from certain types of food; it is a time for asceticism of the mind and senses, when we abstain from impure thoughts, separate ourselves from our habitual sins, entertainments, and harmful routines

The Diocese of Sitka & Alaska (OCA) held its annual clergy retreat in Anchorage from Friday the 8th through Sunday the 10th of March, hosted by His Grace Alexei, Bishop of Sitka & Alaska. As a special guest, His Grace Luke, Bishop of Syracuse and abbot of Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville, NY led the retreat

On Friday evening, March 8, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York arrived in Costa Rica to officiate the 30th anniversary celebrations of the establishment of Our Lady of Vladimir Church in Coronado, not far from the capital, San José.

Online registration for the 2024 Lenten Retreat for clergy of the Eastern American Diocese has opened on the diocesan website. 

On March 3, the Sunday of the Prodigal Son, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York celebrated Divine Liturgy in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City.

On Friday evening, March 1, a benevolent concert entitled "…and Peace on Earth ‒ Sacred Works: Prayers for Peace" was held in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City. The concert’s primary objective was to raise funds for relief organizations providing aid to those suffering from war in Ukraine and the Holy Land – especially ROCOR’s Russian Ecclesiastical Mission in Jerusalem.

On February 25, the Sunday of the Publican n& the Pharisee, and the date when the Church honors the memory of the Holy Hierarch Alexis of Moscow, Wonderworker of All Russia, Metropolitan Nicholas o Eastern America & New York celebrated Divine Liturgy in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City.

From Thursday the 15th through Monday the 19th of February, seeking spiritual guidance from the wonderworking Kursk Root Icon of the Mother of God, a group of 17 youth and chaperones from St. George parish in Cincinnati, OH made a pilgrimage to the icon’s home in her cathedral at the Synod of Bishops in New York City.

On February 18, the 37th Sunday after Pentecost and afterfeast of the Meeting of the Lord, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York celebrated Divine Liturgy in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City.

On Friday, February 16, the feast of the Holy Equal-of-the-Apostles Nicholas, Archbishop of Japan, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York celebrated his namesday. The First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad officiated the All-Night Vigil the evening prior and celebrated Divine Liturgy in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City.

On Thursday, February 15, the great feast of the Meeting of the Lord, Holy Presentation Church in Stratford, CT, celebrated its patronal feast day. That day, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York, First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad, arrived to share in the joy of the feast and to celebrate Divine Liturgy.

His Holiness Kyrill, Patriarch of Moscow & All Russia, congratulated Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York, First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, in his namesday.

On Monday, February 12, the Orthodox Church celebrates the feast of the Synaxis of the Three Hierarchs: Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian, and John Chrysostom. These three great hierarchs and luminaries of the Church are considered patrons of every Orthodox seminary, and therefore this feast is recognized as the patronal feast of Holy Trinity Orthodox Seminary.

On Saturday the 10th and Sunday the 11th of February, while on an archpastoral visit to the Florida Deanery, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York visited St. Luke the Blessed Surgeon Church in Pompano Beach, FL and officiated the divine services there.

On Wednesday, February 7, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York paid an archpastoral visit to Paideia Classical Academy in Coconut Creek, FL. Paideia Classical Academy is an Orthodox Classical School serving pre-school through 12th grade, established in 2012.

On Saturday, February 3, the feast day of Our Lady "Comfort and Consolation," Metropolitan Nichoas of Eastern America & New York paid an archpastoral visit to the American-Russian Aid Association "Otrada" in Chestnut Ridge, NY, where he celebrated Divine Liturgy on the occasion of the local chapel’s patronal feast.

On Monday the 5th and Tuesday the 6th of February, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York paid an archpastoral visit to St. Nicholas Church in Palm Coast, FL.

On Sunday, February 4, when the Holy Church honors the memory of the Synaxis of the Holy New Martyrs & Confessors of Russia, at the request of Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York, Bishop Jerome (Shaw) paid an archpastoral visit to the eponymous church in Brooklyn, NY, where he celebrated Divine Liturgy in honor of its patronal feast day.

On Sunday, February 4, when the Holy Church honors the memory of the Synaxis of the Holy New Martyrs & Confessors of Russia, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York celebrated Divine Liturgy in honor of the patronal feast day of the eponymous church in Norwich, CT.

On Tuesday, January 30, Archimandrite Maximos (Weimar) retired as abbot of the Monastery of St. Dionysios the Areopagite in St. James, NY. Per an agreement with the brotherhood, he assumed the role of abbot emeritus.

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.

The days following the radiant feasts of Christ’s Nativity, the New Year, and the Theophany of the Lord marked a significant event in the life of St. Alexander Nevsky Parish in Howell, NJ.

On Saturday the 20th and Sunday the 21st of January, the Sunday after Theophany, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York paid an archpastoral visit to Holy Epiphany Church in Roslindale (Boston), MA, where he officiated the divine services.

On January 21, the 33rd Sunday after Pentecost, that after Theophany, Archbishop Gabriel of Montreal & Canada celebrated Divine Liturgy in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City

On Thursday the 18th and Friday the 19th of January, the brethren of Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville, NY celebrated the great feast of the Theophany of the Lord. Officiating the divine services was the monastery’s abbot, His Grace, Eastern American Diocesan vicar Bishop Luke of Syracuse.

On the great feast of Theophany – the Baptism of the Lord ‒ solemn divine services were held in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City. On Thursday, January 18, the Eve of Theophany, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York officiated the Vesperal Liturgy of St. Basil the Great and the festal All-Night Vigil.

On Sunday, January 14, the feast of the Circumcision of the Lord, the parish school of Holy Virgin Protection Church in Nyack, NY held its annual Nativity Yolka.

On Monday, January 15, His Eminence Nicholas, Metropolitan of Eastern America & New York, paid an archpastoral visit to Holy Dormition Convent "Novo-Diveevo" in Nanuet, NY, where he celebrated Divine Liturgy on the occasion of the convent’s main St. Seraphim Cathedral.

On Tuesday, January 9, Priest Emmanuel Hatzidakis (diocesan cleric) reposed in the Lord in Chania, Crete, Greece. He was 82 years old.

On Sunday, January 14, when the Church commemorates the Circumcision of the Lord and honors the Holy Hierarch Basil the Great, His Eminence Nicholas, Metropolitan of Eastern America & New York celebrated Divine Liturgy in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City.

The great feast of Christ’s Nativity is celebrated with great solemnity in Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville, NY.

On Sunday, January 7, the great feast of the Nativity of our Lord, God, and Savior Jesus Christ, His Grace, Bishop Jerome (Shaw), paid an archpastoral visit to Holy Dormition Convent "Novo-Diveevo" in Nanuet, NY, where he celebrated Divine Liturgy on the occasion of the feast.

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. 

Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York officiated the divine services for the Nativity of Christ in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City.

On January 7 (December 25 o.s.), the Orthodox world celebrates the great feast of the Nativity of Christ. The greatness and importance of this feast is attested to by the preparatory 40-day Nativity Fast. Every person, family, and church celebrates this remarkable and important feast in his own way, and the Church of Our Lady of Pochaev in North Port, FL was no exception.

It is with feelings of humble gratitude, love, and joy in the Lord that I greet everyone on this great and most joyous celebration of the Nativity of Christ ‒ the arrival on earth of the incarnate Son of God born to the Most Blessed Virgin Mary.

The unutterable love of God has gathered us today so that in the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace (Eph. 4:3) we may celebrate one of the most solemn ‒ and at the same time mysterious ‒ feasts of the Church: the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ.

On December 31, the 30th Sunday after Pentecost and before Nativity, that of the Holy Fathers, 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.