WESTERN AMERICAN DIOCESE: 1 April, 2025
A primatial visit to the Seattle Vicariate of the Western American Diocese
 From March 27 to 31, 2025, at the invitation of His Eminence Archbishop Kyrill of San Francisco and Western America, His Eminence Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America and New York, First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, accompanied the Kursk-Root Icon of the Mother of God "of the Sign" on a primatial visit to the Seattle Vicariate of the Western American Diocese. The main purpose of the visit was to visit the ailing Archpriest Alexei Kotar, the Dean of St Nicholas Cathedral in Seattle, to pray with him and to support his family, all of whom are deeply devoted to the Holy Church.
On Friday, March 28, His Eminence visited Fr Alexei at the local hospital. After praying before the main holy icon of the Russian diaspora for his health, Metropolitan Nicholas presented him with a jubilee pectoral cross issued for the 725th anniversary of the appearance of the miracle-working icon and the 100th anniversary of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, and spoke with Fr Alexei and his family. On the evening of the same day, His Eminence officiated at the Rite of Unction at St Nicholas Cathedral, co-served by His Grace Bishop Theodosius of Seattle and the local clergy, with a large gathering of worshipers.
On Saturday, March 29, His Eminence visited the Monastery of the All-Merciful Savior on Vashon Island, where Abbot Tryphon (Parsons) is the rector. Here Metropolitan Nicholas performed a prayer service before the miraculous icon and talked with the brethren. On the evening of the same day, His Eminence Vladyka Nicholas officiated at all-night vigil at St Nicholas Cathedral.
On Sunday, March 30, the 4th Sunday of Great Lent and the feast day of Righteous Alexei the Man of God, His Eminence celebrated Divine Liturgy in the same cathedral according to the rite of St Basil the Great. His Eminence was co-served by Bishop Theodosius, the cathedral clergy and guests in the priesthood. The liturgical hymns were sung by the cathedral choir under the direction of GA Kotar, son of Father Alexei. At the minor entrance, in accordance with the intercession of Archbishop Kyrill, Metropolitan Nicholas placed a gold pectoral cross, issued by the Synod of Bishops, on Priest Pavel Volkoff, the second priest of the cathedral. In the pre-communion sermon, His Eminence spoke about the day’s Gospel reading.
Upon dismissal, the First Hierarch congratulated His Grace, the clergy, and the faithful on the fourth Sunday of Great Lent and the namesday of their dean, expressing gratitude for their prayers. His Eminence also noted the sacrifice of the parishioners of the cathedral, who sent a significant amount of money they collected to repair the Synodal residence in New York. Congratulating Metropolitan Nicholas on the Sunday holiday and wishing him God's help in his ministry, Bishop Theodosius invited all those gathered to a large luncheon organized through the efforts of the cathedral sisterhood.
On the same day, His Eminence congratulated Fr Alexei on his namesday during a visit to the hospital.
The next day, after bidding farewell to Bishop Theodosius and Fr Alexei's wife, Natalie, Metropolitan Nicholas departed for New York.
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