On December 31, the 30th Sunday after Pentecost and before Nativity, that of the Holy Fathers, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York, First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad, celebrated Divine Liturgy in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City.

Concelebrating with His Eminence at Liturgy were: Archpriest Andrei Sommer (cathedral dean), Hieromonk Theognost (Kogan; cleric of Holy Virgin Protection Church in Nyack, NY), Protodeacons Nicolas Mokhoff (cathedral cleric) and Serge Arlievsky (cleric of Holy Dormition Convent "Novo-Diveevo" in Nanuet, NY), and Hierodeacon Panteleimon (Jigalin; diocesan cleric).

The Synodal choir sang beautifully under the direction of conductor Vadim S. Gan. Liturgy was held under the aegis of the Protectress of the Russian Diaspora ‒ the wonderworking Kursk Root Icon of the Mother of God.

Praying at the service were cathedral parishioners and faithful from other churches in the city. Most of these communed of Christ’s Holy Mysteries.

Upon conclusion of the service, Metropolitan Nicholas addressed the faithful with a sermon and spoke about the evangelism of the prophets, who are depicted in part on the Kursk Root Icon, as well as about the approaching feast of Christ’s Nativity.