Interview with His Eminence Metropolitan Nicholas, First Hierarch of ROCOR

Atlanta, GA — At the conclusion of the Eastern American Diocese' Southern Great Lenten Clergy Retreat, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America and New York—First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad, was gracious enough to sit down with UOJ-America.

There has been a great deal of conversation on the growth of Orthodoxy across the United States.

This growth is particularly noticeable in the American South —the religious heartland of America.

We wanted to get His Eminence's thoughts on the conference itself, and on the growth of Orthodoxy in the South.

UOJ: Who were the notable speakers and what topics were covered during the conference?

Met. Nicholas: "Here in Atlanta, at St Mary of Egypt Church, I was happy to be here presiding over the conference. Metropolitan Jonah was with us, our guest speaker was Bishop Irenei of London and Western Europe. He flew from London to be with us, and he spoke to the clergy about spiritual life and spiritual guidance, which was very, very edifying.

Then, with Vladyka [Irenei], there were questions and answers, along with various comments which helped all of us gain a knowledge of that needed and important obedience. The clergy must be truly spiritually strong themselves, but, also, to help the faithful, to guide them spiritually. We also had a closed, informal question and answer session with the bishops. I lead that section for about an hour and a half. And again, that was a closed session where the priests could ask me questions about church life, church practices, traditions, and I was able to answer them as their bishop and help to guide them in their ministry at the parishes. Then there were the services, which is the first and foremost thing at our retreats. Vespers was served, then Compline; and today, the [Hours,] Typica and Liturgy of the Pre-Sanctified gifts. The fathers were able to receive confession, go to confession, and of course to serve, today, with the hierarchs, this special Lenten liturgy and receive Holy Communion."

UOJ: How do you feel about the health and growth of the Church in the South?

Met. Nicholas: "Well, I see that in my diocese, so I can speak to that; I can't speak for the other diocese. I see that there is growth, many are coming to the faith. Many who are [already] attending the parishes are attending even more so, they're becoming even more fortified in their faith. And this is something that's very pleasing to me, it warms my heart, and I pray that this growth continues."

UOJ: Do you foresee ROCOR moving more towards fully English liturgies in the coming years?

Met. Nicholas: "At the present time, as always in ROCOR tradition - and this is what I grew up with and saw firsthand - ROCOR has its roots. Yes, with the Imperial Russian church. We have a special tradition, a special culture, and part of that is the Slavonic language. But ROCOR is also a missionary church.

So, as I've been saying, and will continue to say, we preserve what we have received, but we will continue to missionize and where needed, preach in English or have some of the services in the English language. This is seen and felt across the South, as you mentioned earlier, within our diocese and other parishes and other dioceses. Some parishes are serving solely in Slavonic, and many are attending. Some are serving solely in English, many are attending; and some have the services partially in Slavonic, partially in English, and you see attendance at both, where people come to pray because they want to be Orthodox, that is first and foremost. But there is a connection to the beauty of the Russian church, and, of course, the protection of the New Martyrs and Confessors of the Russian church.

Interestingly, at the Synod, we have the cathedral and a chapel. On Sundays, we have the Divine Liturgy in the Cathedral in Slavonic, the English mission serves in the St Sergius chapel. However, some of the Russian people will attend the English mission, and a good number of the American speakers want to and attend the Slavonic liturgy, something to just be aware of."

UOJ: Vladyka Bless. Thank you for your time. 

We wish to thank His Eminence again for taking the time to speak with us.

Interview conducted by Luke Albanese, a parishioner at St. Mary of Egypt Orthodox Church and member of the St. Zosima Society. 

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