On Cheesefare (Forgiveness) Sunday, March 10, Metropolitan Hilarion of Eastern America & New York celebrated Divine Liturgy in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City, concelebrated by Bishop Nicholas of Manhattan, cathedral senior priest Andrei Sommer, Archpriest Edward Chervinsky (cathedral cleric), Archpriest Vasiliy Raskovskiy (diocesan cleric), Abbot Eutychius (Dovganyuk; cleric of St. Gregory the Theologian Church in New York City), and cathedral Protodeacons Nicolas Mokhoff and Vadim Gan. The choir sang Liturgy under the direction of conductor Peter Fekula.

A multitude of parishioners of the Synodal cathedral came to pray on the eve of Great Lent, and many of these communed of Christ’s Holy Mysteries.

Addressing the faithful, Metropolitan Hilarion called on them to ask forgiveness of one another, and thus to enter the salvific period of the Great Fast with a pure heart and soul, devoid of evil and malice. He wished for them to traverse the days of Holy Tessaracost to their spiritual benefit, and to greet Christ’s Glorious Resurrection with joy.

The Metropolitan honored Peter A. Tcherepnine for his service to the cathedral, and presented him a Hierarchal gramota.

The cathedral sisterhood then invited the clergy, parishioners, and guests to a Cheesefare luncheon of "Bliny" and attendant concert, where the brotherly interaction of the clergy and faithful continued. That evening, Vespers with the Rite of Forgiveness was served in the cathedral.