With great sadness but also with joyful faith in the Resurrection of our Lord, the brethren of Holy Cross Monastery in Wayne, WV announced the repose of their beloved father in Christ, Schema-Archimandrite Panteleimon (Voepel). He fell asleep in the Lord in the early morning, of Bright Thursday, April 24. He was 81 years old.

On Sunday, April 20, the clergy, numerous parishioners and guests of the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City celebrated the "Feast of feasts and the Festival of festivals" – the Glorious Resurrection of Christ.

On Great & Holy Friday, April 18, when the Holy Church commemorates the holy, salvific, and terrible suffering and death of our Lord Jesus Christ, Metropolitan Nicholas officiated the divine services in the Cathedral of the Sign.

With God’s help, we safely crossed the sea of Great Lent and reached the radiant days of the Lord’s Pascha. May the present celebration, for which we have been preparing with prayer and fasting, renew a right spirit, that is, a healthy spirit, in our hearts, that we might understand the mystery of Christ’s Resurrection

On Great & Holy Friday, April 18, Subdeacon Anthony Kofonow (longtime sacristan of St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in Howell, NJ) reposed in the Lord after a lengthy illness. He was 75 years old. For three, weeks he received Holy Communion every day.

On Great Thursday, April 17, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York celebrated the Vesperal Divine Liturgy of St. Basil the Great in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City.

On Great and Holy Wednesday, April 16, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York celebrated the final Liturgy of Presanctified Gifts for this year in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City.

In light of his medical condition and his profound lifelong desire to end his days in the Great and Angelic Schema (the fullness of the monastic life), Archimandrite Seraphim (Voepel) recently asked the ruling bishop of the Eastern American Diocese, Metropolitan Nicholas, to tonsure him as a schemamonk.

On the great feast of the Entrance of the Lord into Jerusalem (Palm Sunday), the All-Night Vigil on Saturday the 12th and Divine Liturgy on the 13th of April in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City were officiated by Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York.

On April 13, 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 Friday evening, April 11, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York officiated the Sacrament of Holy Unction in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City. A multitude of cathedral parishioners and those from other churches in the city came to take part in the divine services and the Sacrament of Holy Unction.

On Monday, April 7, the great feast of the Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos and the date of the repose of the Holy Hierarch Tikhon, Patriarch of Moscow & All Russia, the Confessor (+1925), celebrations dedicated to his memory were held in St. Nicholas Patriarchal Cathedral in New York City, built and consecrated by the saint in 1902.

From Saturday, the 5th, through Monday, the 7th of April, Eastern American Diocesan vicar Bishop Luke of Syracuse performed an archpastoral visit to St. Mary of Egypt Church in Roswell (Atlanta), GA. Serving alongside His Grace at the divine services were rector Archimandrite John (Townsend) and parish clergy.

I am especially overjoyed to greet you all with the feast of the Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos in this majestic and historic Patriarchal Cathedral, abiding among the heirs of the work of the hierarch, missionary, and holy confessor Tikhon, Patriarch of Moscow & All Rus'

On Sunday, April 6, the 5th Sunday of Great Lent, dedicated to Venerable Mary of Egypt, as well as the eve of the anniversary of the repose (+1925) of the Holy Hierarch Tikhon, Patriarch of Moscow & All Russia, the Confessor, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York celebrated Divine Liturgy in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City.

From March 27 to 31, at the invitation of His Eminence Kyrill, Archbishop of San Francisco & Western America, His Eminence Nicholas, Metropolitan of Eastern America & New York, First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad, accompanied the Kursk Root Icon of the Mother of God "of the Sign" on a primatial visit to the Seattle Vicariate of the Western American Diocese.

On March 30, the fourth Sunday of Great Lent, dedicated to Venerable John Climacus, the clergy and faithful of the New Jersey Deanery gathered at St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in Howell, NJ for Divine Liturgy and later, after a fellowship luncheon, to receive the Sacrament of Holy Unction.

On Wednesday, March 26, 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, March 25, clergy of the Eastern American Diocese embarked on their journeys to Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville, NY for the start of the Northern Great Lenten Pastoral Retreat.

On March 23, the 3rd Sunday of Great Lent, that of the Cross, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York celebrated Divine Liturgy in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City. Concelebrating with the First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad were cathedral clerics: dean Archpriest Andrei Sommer, Archpriest Seraphim Chemodakov, Hieromonk Theognost (Kogan), and Protodeacon Serge Arlievsky.

On March 22-23, the 3rd Sunday of Great Lent, that of the Cross, His Grace, Bishop Jerome (Shaw), paid an archpastoral visit to Holy Epiphany Church in Roslindale (Boston), MA, where he officiated the divine services.

With God’s help, the community and brethren of the Monastery of the Pochaev Icon of the Mother of God in North Port, FL have found a new place for prayer and divine service.

In the evening on March 23, the Sunday of the Cross, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York performed the Sacrament of Holy Unction in Holy Myrrhbearers Church in Brooklyn, NY.

From March 14-18, youth from across the New England Deanery of the Eastern American Diocese gathered for the 4th annual pilgrimage to Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville, NY.

On Wednesday, March 19, the Great Lenten Retreat for clergy of the southern deaneries of the Eastern American Diocese concluded with the celebration of the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts in St. Mary of Egypt Church in Roswell (Atlanta), GA.

On Tuesday, March 18, 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 15th and Sunday the 16th 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.

The second week of Great Lent is dedicated to the Holy Hierarch Gregory Palamas, Archbishop of Thessalonica, a teacher of prayer and piety, who revealed special teachings about the Divine Uncreated Light. Also especially venerated on this day are all the Venerable Fathers of the Kiev Caves, whose holy relics rest in the Far and Near Caves of the Kiev Caves Lavra.

On March 9, the first Sunday of Great Lent, dedicated to 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.

During the first week of Great Lent, March 3-7, the full cycle of divine services was held in Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville, NY. Leading the reading of the Great Penitential Canon of St. Andrew of Crete in the evenings, as well as celebrating the Divine Liturgies of the Presanctified Gifts, was Eastern American Diocesan vicar Bishop Luke of Syracuse.

"Orthodox Russia" (Pravoslavnaia Rus’) was a phenomenon of the Russian ecclesiastical diaspora. Founded in 1928 by then-Archimandrite (future Archbishop) Vitaly (Maximenko, 1873–1960), a Pochaev printer, the bi-weekly publication in the mid-1930s became an organ of the entire Russian Orthodox Diaspora transcending “jurisdictional boundaries.”

On March 5, 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 Cheesefare Sunday, March 2, the commemoration of Adam’s expulsion from Paradise and the feast of the Holy Hieromartyr Hermogenes, Patriarch of Moscow & All Russia, the Wonderworker, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York celebrated Divine Liturgy in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City.

During a session of the Synod of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, held via remote communication Tuesday, February 12/25, 2025

On Saturday the 22nd and Sunday the 23rd of February, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York performed an archpastoral visit to St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in Howell, NJ, where he officiated the services. All of the worshippers were inspired by the presence of the Protectress of the Russian Diaspora ‒ the Kursk Root Icon of the Mother of God ‒ at the divine services.

On Sunday, February 16, His Holiness Kyrill, Patriarch of Moscow & All Russia, congratulated the First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad, Metropolitan of Eastern America & New York, on the occasion of his namesday:

On February 16, the Sunday of the Prodigal Son and the feast of the Holy Equal-of-the-Apostles Nicholas, Archbishop of Japan, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York celebrated Divine Liturgy in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City on the occasion of his namesday.

On Friday the 14th and Saturday the 15th of February, the great feast of the Meeting of the Lord, Bishop Luke of Syracuse officiated the divine services in Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville, NY, co-served by monastery clergy.

On Saturday, 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.

On Friday, February 14, the clergy and parishioners of Our Lady of Pochaev Church in North Port, FL experienced Paschal joy. After years of prayer, contemplation, and fundraising, the parish was able to successfully purchase land and buildings for further expansion.

On Wednesday, February 12, the feast of the Synaxis of the Three Hierarchs: Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian, and John Chrysostom, the eponymous church in Hollywood, FL marked its patronal feast day.

On Wednesday, 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 in Jordanville, NY.

On Sunday, February 9, 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 Brooklyn, NY.

On Sunday, February 9, the feast of the Synaxis of the New Martyrs & Confessors of Russia, Eastern American Diocesan vicar Bishop Luke of Syracuse celebrated Divine Liturgy in Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville, NY.

On Sunday, February 9, the clergy and parishioners of Holy New Martyrs & Confessors of Russia Church in Norwich, CT celebrated their parish’s patronal feast day.

On Monday, February 3, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York paid an archpastoral visit to Paideia Classical Academy in Coconut Creek, FL. His Eminence was warmly greeted by the academy’s students, teachers, and staff.

On Saturday the 1st and Sunday the 2nd of February, 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 January 26, the Sunday after the Theophany of our Lord, Eastern American Diocesan vicar Bishop Luke of Syracuse performed an archpastoral visit to St. John the Baptist Cathedral in Mayfield, PA, where he celebrated Divine Liturgy.

On Saturday the 25th and Sunday the 26th of January, His Eminence Nicholas, Metropolitan of Eastern America & New York, paid an archpastoral visit to Holy Epiphany Church in Roslindale (Boston), MA, where he officiated the divine services. The visit of the First Hierarch is traditionally held the weekend after the parish’s patronal feast – the Theophany of the Lord.

In recent weeks, the clergy and parishioners of Holy Myrrhbearers Church in Mount Crawford, VA, have been overjoyed to witness the beginning of a long-awaited penultimate project in the construction of their temple.

On Saturday the 18th and Sunday the 19th of January, the great feast of the Theophany of the Lord, Bishop Jerome (Shaw) celebrated Divine Liturgy in Nativity of the Mother of God Church at the New Kursk Root Hermitage in Mahopac, NY.

On January 26, the Sunday after the Theophany of our Lord, Archbishop Gabriel of Montreal & Canada paid an archpastoral visit to St. John the Baptist Cathedral in Washington, DC, where he celebrated Divine Liturgy.

On Saturday the 18th and Sunday the 19th of January, the great feast of the Theophany of the Lord, the All-Night Vigil and Divine Liturgy in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City were officiated by Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York.

On Sunday, January 5, the Mission of San Juan de Shanghái y San Francisco in Matagalpa, Nicaragua; carried out a significant missionary activity in honor of the upcoming Nativity feast. This event aimed to strengthen the work entrusted to the mission in the region with the blessing of Metropolitan Nicholas

On Wednesday, January 15, the commemoration of the repose and second finding of the relics of Venerable Seraphim of Sarov, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York visited Holy Dormition Convent "Novo-Diveevo" in Nanuet, NY, on the occasion of the lesser patronal feast day of its St. Seraphim Cathedral, and celebrated the festal Divine Liturgy.

On Wednesday, December 18, the eve of the feast of Holy Hierarch Nicholas, Archbishop of Myra in Lycia, St. John the Wonderworker Church began services at her newly constructed temple, after having worshipped in rental spaces around Lewisburg, PA, in the Central Susquehanna Valley of Northern Appalachia, since 2015.

On December 25/January 7, the Orthodox Church celebrates the Nativity of Christ. Christ’s Nativity is preceded by the Nativity Fast (Advent), which prepares believers to worthily greet the Lord. On the eve of the feast, Monday, January 6, the Royal Hours and Divine Liturgy of St. Basil the Great were served at Our Lady of Pochaev Church in North Port, FL.

On January 12, the 29th Sunday after Pentecost, that after the Nativity of Christ, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York celebrated Divine Liturgy in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City. Serving alongside His Eminence were cathedral clerics: Archpriests Andrei Sommer (dean) and Seraphim Chemodakov, Hieromonk Theognost (Kogan), and Protodeacon Serge Arlievsky.

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

New Photographs! 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 the great feast of the Nativity of Christ, the festal All-Night Vigil on Monday, the 6th, and Divine Liturgy on Tuesday, the 7th of January, were officiated by Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City.

On January 5, the 28th Sunday after Pentecost, that before Christ’s Nativity, of the Holy Fathers, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York celebrated Divine Liturgy in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City

Offering praise to God glorified in the Trinity and sharing with all of you the joy of this feast, I convey to you, the Orthodox children of our Church living in Russia and other countries of the Moscow Patriarchate’s pastoral responsibility, my heartfelt greetings on the Feast of the Nativity of Christ, which is the celebration of the Maker’s incarnate love for His creation

With a feeling of rejoicing in the Newborn Christ, I greet my brother-archpastors, reverend fathers, monastics, and all the faithful children of the Russian Church Abroad with the feast of Christ’s Nativity, salvific for the world, the Theophany, and the New Year 2025, fervently wishing everyone all-strengthening joy in the Son of God’s coming into the world.