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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

At the February 5/18, 2020, 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 Archimandrite Alexander (Belya)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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