NEW YORK: 22 June, 2026
Services and events of the First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia

On Friday, June 5, 2026, at the end of week of the Feast of the Holy Pentecost, His Eminence Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America and New York, First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, hosted a luncheon for Archpriest Andrei Sommer, the Dean of the Synodal Cathedral of Our Lady “of the Sign,” Archpriest Serafim Gan, the Synod Chancellor, along with clergy, and staff of the Synodal residence in an atmosphere of paternal love.

On Sunday, June 7, the first Sunday after Pentecost, the Feast of All Saints, Metropolitan Nicholas presided over Divine Liturgy at the cathedral, joined by the local clergymen.

At the end of the service, His Eminence congratulated everyone on their namesday. "Today the Church celebrates All Saints Day. These saints are already glorified by God, and we are to honor them, love them, and properly imitate them." His Eminence also reminded everyone about the upcoming Peter's Fast. "The saints help us be saved, to live for God. The path is never easy, but as Christ said: 'Take heart, for I have overcome the world' (John 16:33). And with this spiritual strength, we will rejoice in the Lord and show others the purity and truth of the Orthodox faith. Let us not be afraid and know that all the saints are with us." The Cathedral Brotherhood arranged a traditional meal for everyone in the cathedral hall.

On Monday and Tuesday, June 8-9, Metropolitan visited the Church of St John the Russian in Ipswich, MA, where he led the services for the parish’s feast day. To the joy and comfort of the faithful, the Kursk-Root Icon of the Mother of God also arrived with His Eminence; the holy icon remained in the church during the services, and everyone who wished could pray before it and venerate it.

During Divine Liturgy, His Eminence was joined by His Grace Bishop Michael of Boston, the rector of the church, Archpriest Spiridon Schneider, the parish clergy, the clergy of the local deanery, and guests in holy orders.

During matins, the parish reader James Joyce was tonsured a subdeacon. At the appointed time during the Divine Liturgy, he was ordained to the rank of deacon. Fr James will carry out his service at the Church of St John of Russia.

At the end of the Liturgy, the clergy, altar servers, choir, and parishioners proceeded in a procession to the church well, where His Eminence performed the blessing of the water service and sprinkled holy water on everyone present. Then His Eminence addressed those gathered with a sermon and congratulated the parish on its patronal feast, as well as Fr Spiridon and all the worshipers, emphasizing the importance of unity: even though we belong to different parishes, we are one Church and one family, working together for our salvation.

The sisterhood prepared a wonderful Lenten meal, with the main dish being fish which was delivered early in the morning straight from the local pier. Parishioners and guests shared in the joy of the celebration, chatting with each other in the parish hall and in the churchyard.

On Sunday, June 14, on the second Sunday after Pentecost, the day of All Russian Saints and on Sunday, June 21, on the third Sunday after Pentecost, Metropolitan Nicholas celebrated Divine Liturgy at the Synodal Cathedral.

On weekdays of June, His Eminence received clergy and laypersons. On Thursday, June 25, the day of the commemoration of Venerable Onuphrius the Great, His Eminence intends to celebrate the Divine Liturgy at the male monastery of Venerable Savva the Sanctified near Detroit, MI, which is directly subordinate to the Chairman of the Synod of Bishops, whose abbot is Archimandrite Pachomius (Belkov). The First Hierarch will be accompanied by His Grace Bishop Theodosius of Manhattan and Fr Serafim.