On July 6, the 4th Sunday after Pentecost, when the Holy Church honors the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God, His Eminence Nicholas, Metropolitan of Eastern America & New York, celebrated Divine Liturgy in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City. Serving alongside the First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad were cathedral clerics: dean Archpriest Andrei Sommer, Archpriest Seraphim Chemodakov, Hieromonk Theognost (Kogan), and Protodeacons Nicolas Mokhoff and Serge Arlievsky.

The Synodal choir sang at Liturgy under the direction of conductor Vadim S. Gan.

Cathedral parishioners and believers from other churches prayed during the service, with many receiving Christ’s Holy Mysteries.

After the service, Metropolitan Nicholas addressed the faithful with a sermon, in which he spoke about the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God, which, according to legend, was painted by the Holy Apostle Luke. The icon was brought to Russia from Byzantium in the 12th century and is considered one of the most ancient Russian icons.

"There are copies of this icon in churches all over the world, and this icon is in our church, as well. And just as the Mother of God saved Moscow from the Tatar invasion in the 15th century, so now she covers us with her omophorion. It is no coincidence that at almost every evening service we glorify her as ‘More honorable than the Cherubim and beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim’."

Metropolitan Nicholas called on the faithful to pray to the Most Holy Theotokos with patience, contrition, and humility – for enlightenment, guidance on the true path, and spiritual insight.

In the cathedral hall, clergy and parishioners were offered a meal, during which their interaction continued.