On Thursday, July 31, and Friday, August 1, the feast of the Finding of the Relics of Venerable Seraphim, Wonderworker of Sarov, His Grace, Bishop Jerome, visited Holy Dormition Convent "Novo-Diveevo" in Nanuet, NY, for the patronal feast of the convent’s main cathedral.

His Grace officiated All-Night Vigil and the reading of the akathist to the venerable saint, co-served by: Archpriest Alexander Fedorowski (cathedral dean), Archpriest Elias Gorsky (rector of Holy Virgin Protection Church in Nyack, NY), Priest Artem Siss, Protodeacon Alexey Pnev (convent clerics), and Deacon Konstantine Aleshin (cleric of Nativity of the Mother of God Church at the New Kursk Root Hermitage in Mahopac, NY).

On Friday morning, a second akathist and Lesser Blessing of Water was served. All of the above-mentioned clergy concelebrated with Bishop Jerome at Divine Liturgy.

The choir sang the divine services under the direction of Alla Generalova. Praying at Liturgy were the sisters of the convent, led by Abbess Makaria, and a multitude of pilgrims. That day, many communed of Christ’s Holy Mysteries.

In his sermon, His Grace spoke on how this feast is a kind of "second Pentecost" for the convent, as the green vestments point, first, to St. Seraphim’s withdrawal from worldly life to the green forest; and second, to the action of the Holy Spirit both in renewing nature and giving spiritual life; and finally, to the "green martyrdom" of monastic Christian self-denial.

A moleben was served, followed by a procession around the cathedral dedicated to the venerable saint. The protodeacon intoned the polychronion to the abbess and sisters – especially to those celebrating their namesday. All were blessed with holy water.

A festal luncheon was served to all in the main convent dining hall, and pilgrims and visitors had the chance to socialize with the clergy and visit the cemetery throughout the afternoon.