On Wednesday, January 13, Bishop Nicholas of Manhattan, vicar of the Eastern American Diocese, participated in an official Nativity reception in the Consulate of the Russian Federation in New York City, held on behalf of Consul General Igor L. Golubovsky and the Administrator of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA, Bishop John of Naro-Fominsk.

The reception was attended by Bishop Daniel of Dragovitsa (vicar of the Diocese of the USA, Canada & Australia of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church), clergy of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA, the Russian Church Abroad, the Antiochian Archdiocese in North America and the Orthodox Church in America, and representatives from other various religious and secular organizations.

The Consul General welcomed all of the guests and wished them good fortune in the new year. Their Graces, Bishops John and Nicholas, likewise greeted all of the guests with the feast of Nativity of Christ and the celebration of the New Year. A combined choir of clergy from the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA and the Russian Church Abroad sang the troparion and kontakion of the Nativity of Christ.