Met. Nicholas Leads Patronal Feast of St. Sergius Church in New York

NEW YORK CITY — On Wednesday, Oct. 8, Met. Nicholas of Eastern America and New York, First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia (ROCOR), presided over the Divine Liturgy for the patronal feast of St. Sergius Church, located in the Synod of Bishops headquarters. The celebration marked the feast of the repose of Venerable Sergius of Radonezh.

The Church of St. Sergius is the lower church of the ROCOR Synodal Cathedral and residence and serves as the primary shrine for the English-speaking community.

His Eminence was joined by Bsp. Kliment of Levski (Bulgarian Diocese) and a number of clergy from the Russian and Bulgarian jurisdictions. The Kursk Root Icon of the Mother of God — Protectress of the Russian Diaspora — was present at the service, which was prayerfully chanted by the Synodal choir under the direction of Vadim S. Gan.

After the Liturgy, a moleben was served before the icon of St. Sergius. Met. Nicholas addressed the faithful, encouraging them to emulate the saint’s virtues, and presented Bsp. Kliment with a panagia as a memento of their first meeting in the Holy Land. He also congratulated Protodeacon Serge Arlievsky and cathedral warden Sergei Yakushin on their namesday.

It was announced that Archpriest Emilian Pocinoc will accompany the Kursk Root Icon on a pilgrimage to the Western European and London Dioceses, returning in time for its feast in December.

The day concluded with a festal meal hosted by the sisterhood in the cathedral hall.

Previously, UOJ reported that Met. Nicholas had announced the commencement of major renovations at the historic Synod in New York City.