NEW YORK: January 30, 2024
The Primate of the Orthodox Church in America visits the Synodal Residence of the First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad in New York

On Monday, January 29, 2024, His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon of All America and Canada and Primate of the Orthodox Church in America, visited the Synodal Residence of the First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad in New York.

At the Synodal Cathedral of Our Lady “of the Sign,” Metropolitan Tikhon was greeted by His Eminence Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America and New York. Having venerated the Kursk-Root Icon of the Mother of God "of the Sign," the right hand of the Venerable Martyr Grand Duchess Elizabeth Feodorovna, the cassock of Righteous John of Kronstadt, and the portrait of St Seraphim of Sarov from Novo-Diveevo Convent of the Dormition, which after its restoration was temporarily located in the Cathedral, the hierarchs proceeded to the sanctuary of the cathedral and bowed to the altar table. Metropolitan Nicholas then spoke about the holy relics kept here: icons from the Ipatiev House which belonged to the Royal Family, and the sticharion of St John (Maximovich).

After recounting to His Beatitude the history of the cathedral and the Synodal residence, Metropolitan Nicholas invited Metropolitan Tikhon to his chambers for lunch. The church leaders had a fraternal conversation here, touching upon issues of mutual interest in a warm and friendly atmosphere.

After lunch, the hierarchs exchanged mementos.

Before leaving the Synodal residence, His Beatitude toured the meeting hall of the Synod of Bishops and venerated the relics of St Sergius of Radonezh Chapel on the ground floor, and prayed before the Harbin Wonderworking Icon of the Mother of God "Joy of All Who Sorrow."

On behalf of the Orthodox Church in America, the meeting was attended by its Chancellor, Archpriest Alexander Rentel. On the part of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, Archpriest Serafim Gan, Chancellor of the Synod of Bishops and secretary of the First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, participated.