On Tuesday the 20th and Wednesday the 21st of September, the great feast of the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos, festal divine services were held in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City.

Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York officiated the All-Night Vigil, co-served by Bishops Theodosius of Seattle Irenei of London & Western Europe, and Alexander of Vevey. Serving alongside the hierarchs were: Archpriest Andrei Sommer (cathedral dean), Alexander Revyuk (rector of Holy Trinity Church OCA in Brooklyn), Priest Živojin Jakovljević (cleric of the Serbian Church in the USA), Archdeacon Peter (Karakozoff; cleric of the Western American Diocese), and Deacon Nicholas Ilyin (cleric of Holy Dormition Convent "Novo-Diveevo" in Nanuet, NY).

On Wednesday morning, Metropolitan Nicholas celebrated Divine Liturgy, co-served by Metropolitan Mark of Berlin & Germany, Archbishop Gabriel of Montreal & Canada and Bishops Alexander of Vevey and James of Sonora. Praying in the altar was Archbishop Kyrill of San Francisco & Western America. Serving alongside the hierarchs were: Frs. Andrei Sommer and Živojin Jakovljević, Priests Artem Siss and Alexei Klar (clerics of Novo-Diveevo Convent), Fr. Peter (Karakozoff), Protodeacon Nicolas Mokhoff (cathedral cleric), and Fr. Nicholas Ilyin.

Cathedral parishioners prayed at the divine services.

Bishop James addressed the faithful with a sermon, while Metropolitan Nicholas greeted those gathered with the feast of the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos, reminding them that this day also marks the celebration of the Kursk Root Icon of the Mother of God. Additionally, on Sunday, September 25, the popular celebrations in honor of the Protectress of the Russian Diaspora will be held at the New Kursk Root Hermitage in Mahopac, NY.

Photos: S. Yakushin