On Saturday, September 14, the beginning of the Ecclesiastical New Year and feast of the Synaxis of the Saints of Diveevo, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York paid an archpastoral visit to Holy Dormition Convent "Novo-Diveevo" in Nanuet, NY to officiate the 75th anniversary of the convent’s founding by the ever-memorable Archbishop Andrei (Rymarenko; +1978).

The evening prior, Metropolitan Nicholas served the All-Night Vigil. On Saturday morning, His Eminence was greeted to the peal of bells in the convent’s St. Seraphim Cathedral. Concelebrating with the First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad were Archbishop Gabriel of Montreal & Canada and Bishops Irinej of Eastern America (Serbian Orthodox Church), Luke of Syracuse, and Jerome (Shaw), as well as diocesan and local clergy:

• Archpriest Alexander Fedorowski (cathedral dean)
• Archimandrite Siluan (Lembei; convent cleric)
• Archpriest Serge Lukianov (dean of New Jersey)
• Archpriest Zoran Radovic (rector of St. George Serbian Church in Elizabeth, NJ)
• Archpriest Mark Burachek (dean of the Hudson Valley)
• Archpriest Igor Vyzhanov (rector of St. Nicholas Patriarchal Cathedral in New York City)
• Archpriest George Zelenin (convent cleric)
• Archpriest Vasily Zelenyuk (rector of Our Lady "Unexpected Joy" Church in Staten Island, NY)
• Archpriest Alexandre Antchoutine (dean of New York City & Long Island)
• Archpriest Paul Ivanov (rector of Holy Myrrhbearers Church in Brooklyn, NY)
• Archpriest George Temidis (secretary of the diocesan administration)
• Priest Artem Siss (convent cleric)
• Priest Nectarios Yangson (rector of Our Lady of Iveron Church in Honolulu, HI)
• Protodeacon Serge Arlievsky (cleric of the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City)
• Deacon Alexey Pnev (convent cleric),
• Deacon Nicholas Ilyin (cleric of Holy Protection Church in Nyack, NY), and
• Deacon Andrei Antchoutine (cleric of Holy Virgin Intercession Church in Glen Cove, NY).

At the Sixth Hour, Metropolitan Nicholas tonsured longtime convent laborer Ioann Obnachkin a reader.

At the Little Entrance, for his dedicated service in the convent, Priest Artem Siss was awarded the right to wear the kamilavka.

The divine services were held under the aegis of the myrrh-streaming Hawaiian Iveron Icon of the Mother of God. The cathedral was filled with parishioners and pilgrims, many of whom praying outdoors, listening to the service through loudspeakers. An expanded choir sang marvelously under the direction of Alla Generalow.

Upon conclusion of Liturgy, the clergy served a short moleben before the myrrh-streaming icon.

In his remarks, Metropolitan Nicholas congratulated the clergy, monastics, and parishioners with the momentous anniversary, reminding them to hold steadfast in their faith and preserve the legacy of those who built up the sacred convent walls.

A Synodal gramota was presented to Abbess Makaria (Fadina) on behalf of the sisterhood in honor of the anniversary. In recognition of her dedicated service as festal choir conductor and monastery office administrator, Matushka Maria Fedorowski was awarded the Synodal Women’s Order of the Kursk Root Icon of the Mother of God, 3rd Class.

A banquet was held in the monastery refectory, masterfully prepared by G&B Events. A photo-exhibit was on display for attendees, who were able to reflect on the number of personas that have labored for the building up of the holy convent.

Many remained on the monastery grounds throughout the day, visiting its churches and cemetery.