NEW YORK: 19 February 2024
Namesday celebrations of the First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad

On Friday, February 16, 2024, the feast of the Holy Equal-of-the-Apostles Nicholas, Archbishop of Japan, His Eminence Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America and New York celebrated his namesday. The First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad officiated at all-night vigil the evening prior and celebrated Divine Liturgy in the Synodal Cathedral "of the Sign" in New York City.

Joining His Eminence at the divine services were His Eminence Archbishop Gabriel of Montreal and Canada, His Grace Bishop John of Caracas and South America, and His Grace Bishop Jerome (Shaw), as well as Synodal and diocesan clergy.

At Liturgy, the faithful who came to congratulate the Metropolitan on his namesday were able to pray before the Protectress of the Russian Diaspora – the wonderworking Kursk Root Icon of the Mother of God.

Singing beautifully was the Synodal choir under the direction of conductor Vadim Gan.

During the reading of the Hours, Joshua Duncan was ordained a subdeacon, and at Liturgy after the Eucharistic Canon was ordained a deacon. The newly-ordained Deacon Joshua will fulfill his service at Christ the Savior Church in Wayne, WV.

At the end of the service, the clergy served a short moleben to the Holy Hierarch Nicholas of Japan.

Metropolitan Nicholas thanked God for the opportunity to gather in the Synodal Cathedral, to celebrate Liturgy and to honor together the memory of St Nicholas, and to ask God for help in continuing to serve the Holy Church.

On behalf of the Synod of Bishops, Archbishop Gabriel congratulated Metropolitan Nicholas on his namesday, thanking him for his labors and care for the entire Russian Church Abroad, wishing him firm health for many years. Archbishop Gabriel also congratulated Metropolitan Nicholas on the upcoming anniversary of his hierarchal consecration, which took place 10 years ago in San Francisco.

Metropolitan Nicholas thanked Archbishop Gabriel for his kind words and also welcomed pilgrims from West Virginia, where the new deacon will now serve in Christ the Savior Church.

A festal meal was held in the cathedral hall, during which many kind words and wishes were said to Metropolitan Nicholas, and Archpriest Serafim Gan read various greetings addressed to His Eminence.

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