On May 12, the 2nd Sunday of Pascha, dedicated to the Holy Apostle Thomas, His Eminence Nicholas, Metropolitan of Eastern America & New York, celebrated Divine Liturgy in St. Seraphim Cathedral of Holy Dormition Convent "Novo-Diveevo" in Nanuet, NY.

Concelebrating with the First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad were cathedral dean Archpriest Alexander Fedorowski, Archimandrites Elevferiy (Skiba; dean of Our Lady "The Inexhaustible Chalice" Church in Brooklyn, NY) and Siluan (Lembei; cleric of Three Hierarchs Church in Hollywood, FL), Priests Andrew Podymow (cleric of Holy Protection Church in Nyack, NY), Artem Siss (convent cleric), Protodeacons Serge Arlievsky (cleric of the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City), Eugene Kallaur (cleric of St. Seraphim Memorial Church in Sea Cliff, NY), and Alexander Kotlaroff (cleric of Sts. Peter & Paul Diocesan Cathedral in Strathfield, Australia), and Deacon Alexey Pnev (convent cleric).

Together with the believers, Abbess Makaria of the Novo-Diveevo Convent prayed at the divine service with the sisters.

The parish choir sang under the direction of Alla Generalova, accented by guests from other parishes that came to spend the day in this holy place.

Owing to heavy rain throughout the morning, it was decided to forgo the annual procession into the cemetery. There were also fewer people in the cemetery for the traditional "Beautiful Hill" commemorations. But the church was packed with representatives from all of the neighboring parishes in New York City, Long Island, North Jersey, Connecticut, and even Massachusetts. The majority of the faithful received Christ’s Holy Mysteries.

His Eminence delivered an inspirational sermon on the meaning of Antipascha, after which he served a general panihida. As the service ended, the rain stopped and people had the chance to visit the graves of their loved ones and to socialize with friends and family.

After the service, a luncheon was held in the parish hall. Prior to departing, Metropolitan Nicholas served a second panihida for the Russian Cadets.