On December 15, the 25th Sunday after Pentecost, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York celebrated Divine Liturgy in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City and served a panihida for the wife of renowned church composer Boris M. Ledkovsky – Marina V. Ledkovsky ‒ and their son, longtime Synodal choir director Alexander B. Ledkovsky (on the occasion of the 10th and 20th anniversaries of their repose, respectively).

Concelebrating with His Eminence were: cathedral dean Archpriest Andrei Sommer, Archpriest Serge Ledkovsky (son of A.B. Ledkovsky and deputy rector of St. Vladimir Memorial Church in Jackson, NJ), and Hieromonk Theognost (Kogan) and Protodeacon Serge Arlievsky (cathedral clerics).

A multitude of the faithful prayed at Liturgy, many of whom communed of Christ’s Holy Mysteries.

Upon completion of Liturgy, Metropolitan Nicholas addressed those gathered with a sermon on the Gospel reading from St. Luke. He greeted Fr. Andrei and all of the other cathedral assistants named for the Holy Apostle Andrew the First-Called with their recent namesday.

Joined by the clergy, Metropolitan then served a panihida for Marina and Alexander Ledkovsky. The son of Boris M. Ledkovsky, Alexander continued the work of his father in conducting the Synodal cathedral choir from the early 1970s until 2002.

A memorial repast was held in the cathedral hall, during which Fr. Serge Ledkovsky shared warm words of remembrance in honor of his father and grandmother.