celebrated Divine Liturgy in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City, co-served by Eastern American Diocesan vicar Bishop Theodosius of Manhattan. Concelebrating with the hierarchs were cathedral clerics: dean Archpriest Andrei Sommer, Archpriest Seraphim Chemodakov, and Hieromonk Theognost (Kogan).

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

Liturgy was held under the aegis of the Protectress of the Russian Diaspora – the wonderworking Kursk-Root Icon of the Mother of God.

Numerous parishioners and guests from other New York churches gathered to pray at the service. Almost all the worshippers communed of Christ’s Holy Mysteries. Following Liturgy, Bishop Theodosius addressed the faithful with a sermon, in which he noted, in part:

"The saints, who dwell in the world to come, help us through the prayers of the Church and the prayers of the faithful; they also come to our aid in places where our holy things might be profaned. During their earthly lives, the saints sought above all that of which the Gospel speaks – heeding the Savior’s call to seek the ‘one thing needful’ and praying that the Lord would not forsake us. Emperor Justinian once wrote the following words: ‘Thy Kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and Thy dominion endures throughout all generations’… Let us seek first what is needful for our salvation – the Kingdom of God and His righteousness – and all other things shall be added unto us."

In the cathedral hall, the sisterhood prepared a luncheon for the clergy and faithful, during which fraternal fellowship continued.