JERUSALEM: September 1, 2023
The First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia celebrates Divine Liturgy at the Russian Excavations

On Thursday, August 31, 2023, on the feast day of the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos and the feast day of the Martyrs Florus and Laurus, His Eminence Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America and New York, First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, led the celebration of the Divine Liturgy at the St Alexander Metochion in Jerusalem.

Concelebrating with His Eminence were Archimandrite Roman (Krassovsky), Head of the Russian Ecclesiastical Mission in Jerusalem (Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia), Archpriest Peter Holodny, and Hegumen Jonah (Galishnikov), with Protodeacon Eugene Kallaur and Hierodeacon Amphilochius (Mazura).

During the service, a special commemoration was made of the deceased brethren of Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville: Metropolitan Laurus and Archimandrite Flor (Vanko), Archbishop Alypiy(Gamanovich), whose namesday was the day before, and Archimandrite Sergius (Romberg), who died on this day in 1992.

Liturgical hymns were sung by the choir of the sisters of Gethsemane, with the participation of pilgrims, under the direction of the Nun Macaria (Kepke).

Many of those who prayed during the service communed of Christ's Holy Mysteries.

In his sermon at the end of the Divine Liturgy, Metropolitan Nicholas noted the commemorated, their lives, examples of faith, faithfulness, prayer, patience and humility.

After kissing the cross, the sisters of the Holy Martyr Elizabeth offered a meal, during which the fellowship of the First Hierarch, clergy, monastics and pilgrims continued.