On Sunday, July 18, Metropolitan Hilarion of Eastern America & New York celebrated Divine Liturgy in honor of the patronal feast day of St. Sergius of Radonezh Church at the Headquarters of the ROCOR Synod of Bishops in New York City.

On Sunday, July 18, Eastern American Diocesan vicar Bishop Nicholas of Manhattan paid an archpastoral visit to St. Elizabeth the New-Martyr Church in Rocky Hill, NJ, not far from Princeton. There His Grace celebrated led the Divine Liturgy in honor of the parish’s patronal feast day – that of the Holy Nun-Martyr Grand Duchess Elizabeth Feodorovna.

Metropolitan Hilarion, First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad and ruling bishop of the Dioceses of Eastern America and Australia & New Zealand, spent Pascha 2019 in Australia. And he departed with thoughts of seeing his Australia flock again soon.

On Wednesday, July 14, Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk, chairman of the Department of External Church Relations of the Moscow Patriarchate, visited St. John the Baptist Cathedral in Washington, DC.

On Monday, July 12, the feast of the Holy Leaders of the Apostles Peter and Paul, Metropolitan Hilarion (Alfeyev) of Volokolamsk, chairman of the Department of External Church Relations of the Moscow Patriarchate, visited the Synodal Headquarters of the Russian Church Abroad in New York City as part of his working visit to the United States.

On Monday, July 12, the feast of the Holy Preëminent Apostles Peter and Paul, Eastern American Diocesan vicar and abbot of Holy Trinity Monastery, Bishop Luke of Syracuse celebrated the 40th anniversary of his ordination to the holy priesthood.

On June 11, the 3rd Sunday after Pentecost, and the date when the Holy Church honors the member of the Holy Martyrs and Unmercenary Physicians Cyrus and John, as well as Venerable Sergius and Herman, Wonderworkers of Valaam, Bishop Nicholas of Manhattan celebrated Divine Liturgy in the Synodal Catehdral of the Sign in New York City.

On Friday, July 9, Metropolitan Hilarion of Eastern America & New York and diocesan vicar Bishop Nicholas of Manhattan paid an archpastoral visit to Our Lady of Tikhvin Church in Howell, NJ. On the occasion of its patronal feast day, Metropolitan Hilarion celebrated Divine Liturgy. 

On Tuesday the 6th and Wednesday the 7th of July, the feast of the Nativity of the Holy Prophet, Forerunner, and Baptist of the Lord John, His Grace, Eastern American Diocesan vicar Bishop Nicholas of Manhattan, paid an archpastoral visit to St. John the Baptist Cathedral in Mayfield, PA,

The first hierarchal Liturgy after the start of large-scale renovations in  Holy New Martyrs & Confessors of Russia Church in Brooklyn, NY was celebrated on Sunday, July 4, by Eastern American Diocese vicar Bishop Nicholas of Manhattan. On this day, Orthodox Christians honor all the Saints who have shone forth in the Russian Land, including the Holy New Martyrs & Confessors of Russia.

On Friday the 2nd and Saturday the 3rd of July, the feast of the Holy Hierarch John of Shanghai & San Francisco, Bishop Nicholas of Manhattan paid an archpastoral visit to St. John the Wonderworker Mission in Lewisburg, PA, where he officiated the divine services in honor of the mission’s patronal feast day.

The journey of one of the Russian faithful’s most beloved saints – Blessed Matrona of Moscow – to America began at the end of February when, with the blessing of His Holiness Kyrill, Patriarch of Moscow & All Russia, Abbess Theophania of Holy Protection Convent in Moscow gifted an icon with a piece of the relics of the Blessed Eldress Matrona...

On Friday, July 2, Metropolitan Hilarion of Eastern America & New York paid an archpastoral visit to the Hermitage of the Holy Protection in Buena, NJ, where he celebrated Divine Liturgy in honor of its lesser patronal feast day – that of Venerable Barlaam, Abbot of Khutyn and Wonderworker of Novgorod.

On Saturday the 19th and Sunday the 20th of June, the great feast of Holy Pentecost, the clergy and parishioners of Holy Trinity Church in Mebane, NC celebrated their patronal feast day. The festal All-Night Vigil and Divine Liturgy were served by parish rector Hieromonk Nikon (Kashkovalov).

The small town of Winfield, PA, will soon be home to a new Orthodox church named for one of the greatest saints to have served in America.

On Saturday the 19th and Sunday the 20th of June, the great feast of Holy Pentecost, His Grace Nicholas, Bishop of Manhattan, paid an archpastoral visit to Holy Trinity Church in Vineland, NJ, where he officiated the divine services in honor of the parish’s patronal feast.

On June 13, the Sunday of the Holy Fathers of the First Ecumenical Council, the clergy of St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in Howell, NJ celebrated the 80th birthday of their brother-concelebrant, Archpriest Boris Slootsky.

On the eve of Holy Spirit Day, Sunday afternoon, June 20, Small Compline was served before supper with the reading of the Canon to the Holy Spirit. After supper, Matins was served in preparation for the patronal feast of Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville, NY.

On Sunday, June 20, the great feast of Pentecost was celebrated in Holy Trinity Monastery with the usual solemnity. The day before, Pentecost Soul Saturday, Divine Liturgy was celebrated in the cemetery church of the Holy Dormition, upon conclusion of which a general panihida was served by His Grace Luke, Bishop of Syracuse, together with the monastery clergy.

On Sunday, June 20, the great feast of Holy Pentecost (Trinity Sunday), Archbishop Gabriel of Montreal & Canada celebrated Divine Liturgy in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City

During the ongoing days of the great feast of the Ascension of the Lord, on Friday, June 11, the parish of the Holy Hierarch Luke the Surgeon, Archbishop of Simferopol, in Pompano Beach, FL celebrated its patronal feast.

On Thursday, June 10, the great feast of the Ascension of the Lord, Bishop Nicholas of Manhattan paid an archpastoral visit to the Monastery of the Glorious Ascension in Resaca, GA, where he officiated the patronal feast, serving festal Matins and celebrating Divine Liturgy.

On Thursday, June 10, the great feast of the Ascension of the Lord, Archbishop Gabriel of Montreal & Canada celebrated Divine Liturgy in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City.

On June 6, the Sixth Sunday of Pascha, of the Blind Man, the faithful gathered at St. Vladimir’s Cemetery in Jackson, NJ for a panihida at St. John the Baptist Chapel to commemorate the victims of Lienz. The service was officiated by Archpriest Boris Slootsky, co-served by Priest Anthony Williams and Protodeacon Paul Drozdowski (all clerics of St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in Howell, NJ).

When Pascha comes at a later date, the graduation celebrations at Holy Trinity Seminary in Jordanville, NY are made all the more festive with the singing of "Christ is Risen…" So it was this year; the 73rd commencement on Saturday the 5th and Sunday the 6th of June was solemnly celebrated together with Paschal hymns of joy.

On June 6, the Sunday of the Blind Man, the last of the Paschal period, Metropolitan Hilarion of Eastern America & New York celebrated Divine Liturgy in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City

On Friday evening, June 4, the American-Russian Aid Association Otrada held a reception in honor of its 75th anniversary. Attending the reception were the First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad, Metropolitan Hilarion of Eastern America & New York,

On May 29-30, the Sunday of the Samaritan Woman, with the blessing of His Eminence Kyrill, Archbishop of San Francisco & Western America, Bishop Nicholas of Manhattan officiated All-Night Vigil and celebrated Divine Liturgy in St. Nicholas Diocesan Cathedral in Seattle, WA.

On Saturday, May 22, the feast of the Translation of the Relics of the Holy Hierarch & Wonderworker Nicholas from Myra in Lycia to Bari, with the blessing of His Eminence, Metropolitan Hilarion of Eastern America & New York, Eastern American Diocesan vicar Bishop Nicholas of Manhattan celebrated Divine Liturgy in the stavropegial metochion Church of the Mother of God "The Inexhaustible Chalice"

On Thursday, May 27, Matushka Claudia Burbelo, widow of Archdeacon Eugene Burbelo (+2017) reposed peacefully in the Lord. She was 87 years old.

On Tuesday, May 25, hierarchs, clergy, and faithful gathered in St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in Howell, NJ to commemorate the third anniversary of the repose of Protopresbyter Valery Lukianov

On Thursday, May 27, the feast of the Port Arthur Icon of the Mother God, Metropolitan Jonah (Paffhausen) paid an archpastoral visit to Holy Cross Monastery in Wayne, WV, where he officiated the festal All-Night Vigil and celebrated Divine Liturgy.

On May 23, the Sunday of the Paralytic, Eastern American Diocesan vicar Bishop Luke of Syracuse paid an archpastoral visit to St. Andrew Stratelates Cathedral in St. Petersburg, FL.

During his visit to Moscow, with the blessing of Metropolitan Hilarion of Eastern America & New York, Eastern American Diocesan Council member Archpriest Alexandre Antchoutine (dean of New York City, Long Island & the Hudson Valley, and Florida) concelebrated alongside Metropolitan Dionysius of Voskresens

On May 23, the Sunday of the Paralytic, Bishop Nicholas of Manhattan celebrated Divine Liturgy in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City

On May 16, the Sunday of the Holy Myrrh-bearing Women, Metropolitan Hilarion of Eastern America & New York and Bishop Nicholas of Manhattan performed an archpastoral visit to Holy Myrrhbearers Church in Brooklyn, NY.

On May 9, the 2nd Sunday of Pascha, dedicated to the Holy Apostle Thomas, His Eminence Hilarion, Metropolitan of Eastern America & New York, celebrated Divine Liturgy in St. Seraphim Cathedral of Holy Dormition Convent "Novo-Diveevo" in Nanuet, NY.

New Photographs! Albums with photographs of the feast of feasts – the Lord’s Pascha ‒ in the Eastern American Diocese will be published on the diocesan website

On Bright Thursday, May 6, the feast of the Holy Great-Martyr and Trophy-Bearer George, clergy and faithful gathered at St. George Cossack Church in Howell, NJ to celebrate the parish’s patronal feast day.

From Monday, April 26, through Saturday, May 1, the clergy and faithful of St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in Howell, NJ observed all of the solemn divine services for the Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ.

On the night of Sunday, May 2, the clergy and parishioners of the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City celebrated a long-awaited event – the great and radiant feast of Christ’s Resurrection. Officiating the festal divine services was the First Hierarch of the Russian Church, Metropolitan Hilarion of Eastern America & New York

On this chosen and holy day, full of Paschal joy and glorious light, the life-affirming glad tidings are being passed on from mouth to mouth, from heart to heart:

The blessed and all-joyful night of the radiant Resurrection of Christ has come again, eminent Brother-Archpastors, venerable fathers, beloved brothers and sisters in the Lord! We greet the Resurrection of Christ with the greatest joy as the victory of Life

On Great Friday, April 30, divine services were held in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City, in anticipation of the greatest and most radiant feast of Christ’s Resurrection

On Great Thursday, April 29, His Grace Nicholas, Bishop of Manhattan, celebrated the Vesperal Divine Liturgy of St. Basil the Great in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City

On Palm Sunday, April 25, the great feast of the Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem, Bishop Nicholas of Manhattan celebrated Divine Liturgy in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City.

On Sunday, April 25, the great feast of the Entry of our Lord into Jerusalem, Eastern American Diocesan vicar Bishop Luke of Syracuse celebrated Divine Liturgy in Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville, NY.

On April 17-18, the Sunday of Venerable Mary of Egypt, St. Mary of Egypt Church in Roswell (Atlanta), GA celebrated its patronal feast.

On April 11, the Sunday of Venerable John of the Ladder (Climacus), Metropolitan Hilarion of Eastern America & New York, First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad, paid an archpastoral visit to Holy Annunciation Church in Flushing, NY, where he celebrated Divine Liturgy.

On April 18, the 5th Sunday of Great Lent, that of St. Mary of Egypt, Archbishop Gabriel of Montreal & Canada celebrated Divine Liturgy in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City.

On Friday, April 9, clergy and a multitude of faithful from the surrounding area gathered at St. Tikhon Church in Blountville, TN to participate in the Rite of Holy Unction.

On Saturday the 3rd and Sunday the 4th of April, His Eminence Gabriel, Archbishop of Montreal & Canada, paid an archpastoral visit to St. Petersburg, FL, where the officiated the divine services for the Sunday of the Cross in St. Andrew Stratelates Cathedral.

On Friday, April 9, His Grace Nicholas, Bishop of Manhattan, arrived in Washington, DC to lead the divine services in St. John the Baptist Cathedral for the 4th Sunday of Great Lent.

On April 11, the Sunday of Venerable John Climacus, the clergy of the New Jersey Deanery gathered at St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in Howell, NJ, for a Lenten Vespers, a spiritual talk, and fraternal interaction.

On Wednesday, April 7, the great feast of the Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos, Eastern American Diocesan vicar Bishop Luke of Syracuse celebrated Divine Liturgy in Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville, NY.

On Tuesday the 6th and Wednesday the 7th of April, the great feast of the Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos, Metropolitan Hilarion of Eastern American & New York officiated the festal All-Night Vigil and Divine Liturgy in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City, co-served by Bishop Nicholas of Manhattan.

On April 4, the Sunday of the Veneration of the Cross, Metropolitan Hilarion of Eastern America & New York celebrated Divine Liturgy in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City, co-served by diocesan vicar Bishop Nicholas of Manhattan.

On April 4, the Sunday of the Cross, His Grace, Bishop Jerome (Shaw), paid an archpastoral visit to St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in Howell, NJ, where he celebrated Divine Liturgy

On Friday, April 2, clergy of the New England Deanery gathered at St. Xenia Church in Methuen, MA for Presanctified Liturgy.

On Thursday, April 1, diocesan hierarchs joined the clergy and parishioners of Holy Dormition Convent "Novo-Diveevo" in Nanuet, NY in gathering to honor longtime convent cleric Archpriest Alexander Fedorowski on the 60th anniversary of his ordination to the holy priesthood.

On March 28, the second Sunday of Great Lent, dedicated to the Holy Hierarch Gregory Palamas, His Grace Nicholas, Bishop of Manhattan, visited Protection of the Mother of God Church in Rochester, NY.

From February 17-27, with the blessing of the First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad, Metropolitan Hilarion of Eastern America & New York, Eastern American Diocesan Council member Archpriest Alexandre Antchoutine paid a working visit to the Moscow Diocese.

On March 28, the Second Sunday of Great Lent, dedicated to the Holy Hierarch Gregory Palamas, Metropolitan Hilarion of Eastern America & New York celebrated Divine Liturgy in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City.

On Thursday, March 25, His Eminence Hilarion, Metropolitan of Eastern America & New York, First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad, visited Holy New Martyrs & Confessors of Russia Church in Brooklyn, NY, in order to survey the progress of recent renovations in the church building

After the first week of Great Lent, one of strict fasting and long and penitential services, the brethren of Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville, NY celebrated the Sunday of Orthodoxy, the triumph over the heresy of iconoclasm.

Divine services for the first week of Great Lent were held in churches of the Russian Church Abroad in New York City.

During the first week of Great Lent, March 15-19, 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 the Divine Liturgies of the Presanctified Gifts, was Eastern American Diocesan vicar Bishop Luke of Syracuse.

On Friday, March 5, Metropolitan Jonah (Paffhausen) celebrated Divine Liturgy at the Monastery of St. Demetrios of Thessaloniki in Spotsylvania, VA, where, with the blessing of Metropolitan Hilarion of Eastern America & New York, he performed the diaconal ordination of Fr. James Krueger.

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

On March 14, Cheesefare (Forgiveness) Sunday, the commemoration of Adam’s expulsion from Paradise, Bishop Nicholas of Manhattan celebrated Divine Liturgy in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City.

On Clean Monday, March 15, the first day of Great Lent, Archpriest Viktor Tseshkovsky, cleric of the Western American Diocese and rector of Protection of the Holy Virgin Church in Hollywood, CA, died suddenly at the age of 62.

On Tuesday, March 9, the feast of the 1st and 2nd Findings of the Head of St. John the Forerunner of the Lord, a regular session of the Synod of Bishops of the Russian Church Abroad was held remotely. Chairing the meeting was His Eminence Hilarion, Metropolitan of Eastern America & New York, First Hierarch of ROCOR.

On Thursday, March 4, a new book by Archpriest Andrei Sommer, The Zatoplyaevs – Our Ancestors Beyond Baikal, was presented for the first time, published in Russian and English editions.

On February  20-21, the Sunday  of the Publican and the Pharisee, Eastern American Diocesan vicar Bishop Nicholas of Manhattan paid an archpastoral visit to St. Andrew Stratelates Cathedral in St. Petersburg, FL, where he officiated the divine services.

On Friday, March 5, Matushka Anna (Nancy) Crowley of St. Xenia Church in Methuen, MA reposed in the Lord after a lengthy battle with cancer.

On Tuesday, March 9, Matushka Irina Korolenko, reposed in the Lord, just a few days ahead of her 95th birthday. Matushka Ira was the wife of ever-memorable Priest Andrei Korolenko, at one time rector of Holy Trinity Church in Fort Wayne, IN.

In the early morning of Wednesday, March 3, Deacon Jonathan Yerkes reposed suddenly in the Lord. He was 48 years old.

On February 28, the Sunday of the Prodigal Son, Eastern American Diocesan vicar Bishop Nicholas of Manhattan paid an archpastoral visit to Three Hierarchs Church in Hollywood, FL, where he celebrated Divine Liturgy.

On February 28, the Sunday of the Prodigal Son, Archbishop Gabriel of Montreal & Canada celebrated Divine Liturgy in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City.

As we all know and have experienced, the pandemic has brought a time of profound upheaval and uncertainty. For the small island of Puerto Rico, this test came at a time when its people were already grappling with the fallout of several other major events: Hurricanes Irma & Maria in 2017 and the earthquakes that hit the south of the island in 2019. 

On Saturday, February 20, a delegation from the Eastern American Diocese, led by Archpriest Alexandre Antchoutine (member of the Diocesan Council, dean of New York City, Long Island & the Hudson Valley, and Florida), visited Holy Protection Stavropegial Convent at Pokrovskaya Zastava in Moscow, Russia. Accompanying the delegation was Archpriest Sergiy Tocheny, head of the Moscow Patriarchate Administrative Secretariat for Reception of Foreign Delegations.

On Sunday, February 14, His Grace Luke, Bishop of Syracuse, celebrated Divine Liturgy at St. John of Kronstadt Memorial Church, co-served by parish clerics: rector Archpriest Michael Taratuchin and Protodeacon Joseph Jarostchuk

On Sunday the 14th and Monday the 15th of February, the great feast of the Meeting of the Lord, Archbishop Gabriel of Montreal & Canada officiated the divine services in Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville, NY. His Eminence was co-served by Eastern American Diocesan vicar Bishop Luke of Syracuse and monastery clergy.

On Friday, 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.

Holy Cross Monastery in Wayne, WV was hit hard by the ice storm on Monday, February 15. The monastery lost power, phone, and internet service. It appears the earliest the brethren will have power restored is Tuesday the 23rd. It could be longer, as the Wayne substation sustained extensive damage.

The Holy Equal-of-the-Apostles Nicholas of Japan always remembered the counsel given him at the start of his missionary work by the Holy Hierarch Innocent of Alaska: "First, love those to whom you wish to talk about Christ.

In the spirit of Christian love, I greet you with the feast of the Meeting of the Lord, that wondrous encounter between the Righteous Symeon the God-Receiver and the Divine Infant Messiah!

On Monday, February 15, the great feast of the Meeting of the Lord, which completes the Nativity cycle, Metropolitan Hilarion 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

On February 14, the 36th Sunday after Pentecost and the Forefeast of the Meeting of the Lord, when the Holy Church also commemorates the Holy Martyr Tryphon, Bishop Nicholas of Manhattan celebrated Divine Liturgy in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City.

On February 7, the Sunday of the Holy New Martyrs of Russia, parish cleric Archpriest Petro Kunitsky celebrated Divine Liturgy in honor of the patronal feast day of Holy New Martyrs & Confessors of Russia Church in Brooklyn, NY.

On the night of Saturday the 6th into Sunday the 7th of February, when the Holy Church honors the memory of the Synaxis of New Martyrs & Confessors of the Russian Church, a triumphal

On February 7, the 35th Sunday after Pentecost and the feast of the Holy New Martyr & Confessors of the Russian Church, Metropolitan Hilarion of Eastern America & New York celebrated Divine Liturgy in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City.

On February 7, the Sunday of the Holy New Martyrs and Confessors of Russia, Archbishop Gabriel of Montreal & Canada paid an archpastoral visit to Our Lady "Unexpected Joy" Church in Staten Island, NY, where he celebrated the festal Divine Liturgy.

On January 24, the 33rd Sunday after Pentecost and the Sunday after Theophany, when the Holy Church also commemorated Venerable Theodosius the Cenobiarch, Bishop Nicholas of Manhattan celebrated Divine Liturgy in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City.

During this time of worldwide distress, God has richly blessed St. Mary of Egypt Church in Roswell (Atlanta), GA with many new parishioners: through baptism of four infants, two children, and 19 adults, and through the addition to the parish of about 45 people who have come because their own parishes were closed or severely restricted in regard to attendance or liturgical practices.

The divine services in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sig in New York City for the forefeast, eve, and great feast of the Lord’s Baptism (Theophany) were officiated by the hierarchs.

On Saturday, January 9, Metropolitan Jonah (Paffhausen) celebrated Divine Liturgy in St. Herman of Alaska Church in Stafford, VA.

I express my brotherly condolences on the repose of the long-time, universally beloved and respected spiritual father and first pastor of the Belarusian Orthodox Church, His Eminence, Metropolitan Philaret, Emeritus Patriarchal Exarch of All Belarus.

On Sunday the 10th and Monday the 11th of January, nine baptisms were performed in the community of St. Polycarp of Smyrna Mission in Sanford, ME.

Several weeks ago, Priest John Trepatschko, rector of Holy Assumption Church in Stafford, VA, addressed a letter to Archpriest Victor Potapov, dean of the Capital Region of the Eastern American Diocese, regarding the return of his parish to the bosom of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia.

The Christmastide divine services continue in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City. On January 10, the Sunday after Christ’s Nativity, when the Holy Church honors the memory of St. Joseph the Betrothed, the Holy Prophet-King David, and the Holy Apostle James, the Brother of the Lord, Metropolitan Hilarion of Eastern America & New York celebrated Divine Liturgy

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. 

Festal services for the Nativity of Christ were held in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City. On Wednesday evening, January 6, the All-Night Vigil was officiated by Metropolitan Hilarion of Eastern America & New York...

On Thursday, January 7, the great feast of the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ, Archbishop Gabriel of Montreal & Canada paid an archpastoral visit to Our Lady "Unexpected Joy" Church in Staten Island, NY, where he celebrated the festal Divine Liturgy.

By God’s ineffable goodness, we enter once more into the joyous days of the great feasts of Christ’s Nativity and Theophany. I sincerely greet you all with this world-saving joy! The feat of faith and its fruit in life must be this joy: from the triumph of the Theophany ‒ God’s manifestation and incarnation ‒ and the sound of the Heavenly doxology and otherworldly peace being sung over Bethlehem.

Today the Church in Heaven and on earth is triumphant as She rejoices at the coming into the world of our Lord and Savior and lifts up praises and thanksgiving to God for His mercy and love for the human race. It is with spiritual trembling that we listen to the words of the hymn: "Christ is born, give ye glory!

On January 3, the Sunday before Nativity, of the Holy Fathers, Bishop Nicholas of Manhattan celebrated Divine Liturgy in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City.