On July 7, the 2nd Sunday after Pentecost and feast of the Nativity of the Holy Glorious Prophet, Forerunner, and Baptist of the Lord John, with the blessing of Metropolitan Ncholas of Eastern America & New York, Bishop Theodosius of Seattle, First Vicar of the Western American Diocese, celebrated Divine Liturgy in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City.

Concelebrating with His Grace were cathedral clerics: Archpriest Seraphim Chemodakov, Hieromonk Theognost (Kogan), and Protodeacon Serge Arlievsky. The Synodal choir sang prayerfully under the direction of Isaiah Trofimenko.

A multitude of cathedral parishioners and guests communed of Christ’s Holy Mysteries.

Upon completion of the service, Bishop Theodosius addressed those present with a sermon on the life of St. John the Forerunner.

His Grace informed the faithful of the Friday repose of Archpriest George Larin, long-time diocesan cleric and pastor emeritus of Holy Virgin Protection Church in Nyack, NY, calling the deceased "a remarkable pastor, someone who labored for many years at the Synod, who knew the Holy Hierarch John of Shanghai, a man of deep faith, who served the Lord day and night." Bishop Theodosius called on the faithful to pray for Fr. George’s repose, and the Protodeacon intoned "Memory Eternal" for the newly departed cleric.

The cathedral sisterhood invited the clergy and all those gathered to a luncheon.