NEW YORK: 4 June 2024
The services and meetings of the Primate of the Russian Church Abroad

On Saturday, May 18, 2024, the feast of the icon of the Mother of God "The Inexhaustible Chalice," His Eminence Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America and New York paid an archpastoral visit to the eponymous stavropegial metochion church in Brooklyn, NY, in honor of its patronal feast day.

His Eminence celebrated Divine Liturgy, co-served by parish rector Archpriest Alexandre Antchoutine, dean Archimandrite Elevferiy (Skiba), and Protodeacon Eugene Kallaur (cleric of St Seraphim Memorial Church in Sea Cliff, NY).

Many parishioners and faithful from other churches in the city gathered for the festal Liturgy, almost all of whom communed of Christ’s Holy Mysteries.

Metropolitan Nicholas greeted the clergy and parishioners on their patronal feast, as well as those parishioners named after the Holy Great-Martyr Irene, who also celebrate their namesday on May 5/18.

Upon conclusion of Liturgy, a festal luncheon was served for all those present.

On May 19, the Sunday of the Holy Myrrh-bearing Women, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America and New York, paid an archpastoral visit to the Church of the Entrance into the Temple of the Holy Virgin in Jamesville (near Syracuse), NY, where he celebrated Divine Liturgy.

Concelebrating with His Eminence were: Archpriests Nicholas Tkatschow (parish rector) and Michael Taratuchin (rector of St John of Kronstadt Memorial Church in Utica, NY), Hieromonk Anatoly (Zilin; cleric of Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville, NY), Priest John Malcom (parish cleric), Archdeacon Paisios (Levakov) and Deacon Ivan Golovin (clerics of Holy Trinity Monastery), and Deacon Lazarus Sparandera (cleric of St John of Kronstadt Church).

At the Little Entrance, Priest John Malcom was awarded the right to wear the kamilavka.

The service was sung beautifully by the parish choir in Slavonic and English. The church filled gradually throughout the service, and many of the faithful – including many children – communed of Christ’s Holy Mysteries.

Upon completion of Liturgy, the Frist Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad delivered a sermon on the subject of the Holy Myrrh-bearers, and then congratulated everyone with the feast, as well as Fr Nicholas on the 60th anniversary of his ordination to the holy priesthood.

Diocesan gramotas were bestowed upon parishioners Gregory Melnick - for faithfully reading and singing in church, as well as for delivering sermons in English for the edification of English-speaking parishioners - and Susan Price - for her translation of The Law of God by Archpriest Seraphim Slobodskoy and her dedication to the education of the youth..

After the service, a festal luncheon was offered in the parish hall.

On Wednesday, May 22, the feast of the Translation of the Relics of the Holy Hierarch Nicholas, Wonderworker of Myra in Lycia, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America and New York paid an archpastoral visit to St. Nicholas Church in Endicott, NY to celebrate Divine Liturgy on the occasion of the parish’s patronal feast.

Concelebrating with His Eminence were:

• Archpriest David Hritcko (rector of St Basil Church in Simpson, PA)
  
• Priest Matthew Smith (parish rector)
  
• Priest Vincent Dranginis (rector of St Stephen Church in Old Forge, PA)
  
• Priest George Sharonoff (rector of St John the Wonderworker Mission in Lewisburg, PA)
  
• Priest Paul Siewers (cleric of St John the Wonderworker Mission)
  
• Protodeacon Michael Pavuk (cleric of Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville, NY), and
  
• Deacon Nikolaos Kontogiannis (parish cleric).

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

The services were sung in Church Slavonic and English by the parish choir, and many communed of Christ’s Holy Mysteries. Following Divine Liturgy, the assembled clergy, choir, and laity made a festal procession around the church and served a moleben to St Nicholas the Wonderworker.

After the service, a delicious luncheon was provided by the sisterhood of St. Nicholas Church.

On Thursday, May 23, the First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America and New York, met with the Consul General of the Russian Federation in New York, AK Zakharov, who had recently been appointed to this post. The meeting was held at the residence of the Synod of Bishops of the Church Abroad. Metropolitan Nicholas showed Mr Zakharov the Cathedral of Our Lady “of the Sign,” told him about its history and shrines. Leading the guest to the Metropolitan's quarters, His Eminence drew his attention to the wonderworking Kursk Root Icon of the Mother of God. Also participating in the meeting were Archpriest Serafim Gan, Chancellor of the Synod of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, and Archpriest Igor Vyzhanov, rector of St Nicholas Patriarchal Cathedral in New York.

On Sunday, May 26, the 4th Sunday of Pascha, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America and New York celebrated Divine Liturgy at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Sign at the Synodal Residence in New York. The Synodal Choir sang prayerfully 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. During the Liturgy, Metropolitan Nicholas greeted the parishioners with the words: "Christ is Risen!"

Almost all the parishioners and guests of the cathedral communed of Christ's Holy Mysteries on this day. At the end of the service, His Eminence addressed the faithful with words on the Gospel reading about the paralytic and called on them to follow the commandments of the Savior and the teaching of the Holy Church. The cathedral sisterhood invited the clergy and all those gathered for a luncheon.

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