On September 28, the 16th Sunday after Pentecost, that after the Exaltation of the Cross, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York celebrated Divine Liturgy in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City. Concelebrating with His Eminence were: cathedral dean Archpriest Andrei Sommer, Archpriest Alexis Duncan (rector of Nativity of the Mother of God Church in Albany, NY), and Archpriest Seraphim Chemodakov, Hieromonk Theognost (Kogan), and Protodeacon Serge Arlievsky (cathedral clerics).

Liturgy was celebrated in the presence of the Protectress of the Russian Diaspora – the wonderworking Kursk Root Icon of the Mother of God.

The Synodal choir sang beautifully during the service under the direction of conductor Vadim S. Gan.

A multitude of cathedral parishioners and faithful from other churches prayed at Liturgy. Many communed of Christ’s Holy Mysteries.

That day, the cathedral was also visited by a large group of parishioners of Nativity of the Mother of God Church in Albany, led by their rector, Fr. Alexis, who concelebrated with the First Hierarch.

Following Liturgy, Metropolitan Nicholas greeted all with the ongoing feast of the Exaltation of the Cross and addressed those present with a sermon on the Gospel Parable of the Talents, calling on them to multiply their talents within the Orthodox Church and to give thanks to God.

In honor of the feast of the Great Martyr Nicetas, which fell on that Sunday, His Eminence prayed for the repose of Protodeacon Nikita Chakirov (+1987), longtime cell attendant of Metropolitan Philaret (Voznesensky; +1986).

The clergy served a short moleben before the Cross, which was placed on a lectern in the center of the cathedral.

Following the service, Metropolitan Nicholas greeted the pilgrims of Nativity of the Mother of God Church.

A luncheon was organized in the cathedral hall for the clergy and faithful. Members of the cathedral sisterhood and brotherhood also beautifully set special tables for the pilgrims from Albany, offering them traditional Orthodox hospitality.