On Cheesefare Sunday, March 2, the commemoration of Adam’s expulsion from Paradise and the feast of the Holy Hieromartyr Hermogenes, Patriarch of Moscow & All Russia, the Wonderworker, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York celebrated Divine Liturgy in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City.

Concelebrating with the First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad were cathedral clerics: dean Archpriest Andrei Sommer, Archpriest Seraphim Chemodakov, Hieromonk Theognost (Kogan), and Protodeacons Nicolas Mokhoff and Serge Arlievsky.

Signing at Liturgy was the Synodal choir under the direction of conductor Vadim S. Gan.

The service was held under the aegis of the Protectress of the Russian Diaspora – the wonderworking Kursk Root Icon of the Mother of God. A multitude of the faithful communed of Christ’s Holy Mysteries.

Upon completion of the divine service, His Eminence addressed the gathered faithful with a sermon on the necessity of repentance and the healing of sins.

In the cathedral hall, the sisterhood prepared a festal luncheon with bliny (Russian crêpes).

Later that day, on the eve of Great Lent, Metropolitan Nicholas officiated Great Vespers with the Right of Forgiveness.

The following day, Clean Monday, March 3, His Eminence read the Great Canon of St. Andrew of Crete in the Synodal Cathedral.