Synodal Cathedral of the Icon of Our Lady of the Sign

On Saturday, May 18, the First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad, Metropolitan of Eastern America and New York Hilarion led Divine Liturgy in the Synodal cathedral of the Sign in New York City on the occasion of enthronemant of His Eminence. The First Hierarch was concelebrated by Vicar of Eastern American Diocese Bishop Jerome of Manhattan, the clergy from NYC and New Jersey. After liturgy the clergy, parishioners and guests congratulated His Eminence Metropolitan Hilarion and wished him Many Years!

PHOTO-REPORT by Prince Vladimir K. Galitzine

PASCHAL EPISTLE

of His Eminence HILARION, Metropolitan of Eastern America and New York,

First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad

On the Eve of Pascha, Divine Services in the Synodal cathedral of the Sign were celebrated by His Eminence Hilarion, Metropolitan of Eastern America and New York, First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad and His Grace Jerome, Bishop of Manhattan, Vicar of the Eastern American Diocese.

PHOTO-REPORT by Sergei Yakushin

On Holy Thursday, May 2, the First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Metropolitan Hilarion led Divine Liturgy at the Synodal cathedral of the Sign. He was concelebrated by the Vicar of the Eastern American Diocese, Bishop Jerome of Manhattan and the cathedral clergy. Later that day His Eminence Metropolitan Hilarion headed Matins with 12 Passion Gospels, concelebrated by Bishop Jerome and the clergy of the cathedral.

PHOTO-REPORT

On April 14, the Fourth Week in Lent, St. John of the Ladder, the First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad Metropolitan of Eastern America and New York Hilarion led Divine Liturgy in the Synodal cathedral of the Sign, concelebrated by Archpriest Andrei Sommer, Hieromonks Nikolai (Perekrestov) and Eutichius (Dovganyuk), Archdeacon Nicholas Mokhoff. The Liturgy was concluded by the sermon, delivered by Metropolitan Hilarion. The clergy and parishioners then gathered in the church hall for trapeza and fellowship.

PHOTO-REPORT

On April 6th and 7th, Week of the Holy Cross and Annunciation of Blessed Virgin Mary, All-Night Virgil and Divine Liturgy were celebrated by the First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad Metropolitan of Eastern America and New York Hilarion and Vicar of the Eastern American Diocese Jerome, Bishop of Manhattan. The hierarchs were concelebrated by Archpriest Andrei Sommer, Hieromonks Nicholai (Perekrestov) and Eutichius (Dovganyuk). The faithful had the opportunity to venerate the holy relics od St. Luke, Archbishop of Simferopol and a prominent surgeon. After Divine liturgy the clergy and parishioners enjoyed tasty festal trapeza, prepared by the sisterhood of the cathedral.

PHOTO-REPORT

On Sunday, March 31, the Second Week of Great Lent - St. Gregory Palamas, Archbishop of Thessaloniki, the First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad, Metropolitan Hilarion led Divine Liturgy in the Cathedral of the Sign. His Eminence was concelebrated by His Grace Jerome, Bishop of Manhattan and the clergy of the cathedral: Archpriest Andrei Sommer, Hieromonk Nikolai (Perekrestov), Priest Ioann Arama, Hieromonk Eutichios (Dovganyuk), Archdeacon Nicholas (Mokhoff). The Liturgy was followed by the sermon delivered by the Most Reverend Hilarion, Metropolitan of Eastern America and New York. His Eminence emphasized the importance of acquiring the Holy Spirit and the inner qualities similar to Our Lord Jesus Christ. The cathedral Sisterhood entertained the clergy and parishioners to the tasty Lenten Trapeza.

PHOTO-REPORT

On the first Sunday of Great Lent, The Orthodox Church celebrates Triumph of Orthodoxy. On Sunday, March 24, the First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad, His Eminence Hilarion, Metropolitan of Eastern America and New York, celebrated the Divine Litirgy in the Synodal cathedral of the Sign. His Eminence was concelebrated by the cathedral clergy, as well as the clergy from other Russian Orthodox churches in New York City.During the Little Entrance, the cathedral's sinior priest, Archpriest Andrei Sommer, was awarded the jewelled cross.

PHOTO-REPORT by Pr. Vladimir K. Galitzine and Dr. Sergei Yakushin

According to Russian tradition, during the first four days of the Great Lent we hear in our churches the Penitential canon of St. Andrew of Crete read by a bishop or a priest. On Wednesday, March 20, His Eminence Hilarion, Metropolitan of Eastern America and New York, was reading the Canon in the Synodal cathedral of the Sign in New York. The divine service was blessed by the presence of the wonder-working Kursk-Root icon of Our Lady of the Sign.

PHOTO-REPORT

On Sunday, March 10, 2013, the Cheesefare Sunday, His Grace Jerome, Bishop of Manhattan, Vicar of the Eastern American Diocese, headed Divine Liturgy in the Synodal cathedral of the Sign, concelebrated by the clergy of the cathedral. After the Liturgy, the clergy and the parishioneers proceeded into the cathedral hall for Pelmeni Trapeza, prepared by the Sisterhood of the cathedral. The main course on the eve of Great Lent has always been traditional Russian dumplings (pelmeni). There was also Russian fair (yarmarka) in the foyer of the Synodal building with plenty of paintings, books, exclusive jewelry. The clergy and parishioners had a great oportunity to socialize and enjoy delicious meals. The leaflets came handy with all the necessary information on the forthcoming Cheesefare week (Maslenitsa).

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On February 10, 2013, the feast day of the New Holy-Martyrs and Confessors of Russia Divine Liturgy at the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign was led by His Eminence Gabriel, Archbishop of Montreal and Canada. His Eminence was concelebrated by Archpriest Andrei Sommer and Hieromonk Evtikhiy (Dovganyuk). His Eminence Hilarion, Metropolitan of Eastern America and New York, the First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad, was praying in the altar. The clergy and parishioners extended congratulations to H.E. Archbishop Gabriel on his Name's Day and wished him many years.

PHOTO-REPORT

On January 18 and 19 the festal Holy Epiphany services were held in the Synodal Cathedr al of the Sign in New York City. All-Night Virgil and Divine Liturgy were headed by Hie Grace Jerome, Bishop of Manhattan, vicar of the Eastern-American Diocese. His Grace was concelebrated by the Very Reverend Archpriest Andrei Sommer, Priest Nicholas Olkhovsky and the cathedral clergy. THe Wonder-working icon of Our Lady of the Sign Kursko-Korennaya was present at both festal services.

According to the custom Bishop Jerome blessed the water, thereafter the synodal sisterhood had the clergy and parishioners entertained at the fellowship and tasty trapeza.

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On January 6 and 7 the festal Christmas services were held at the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City. As the Rector of the Cathedral - Metropolitan of the Eastern America and New York Hilarion, the Firsl Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad - is being on an archpastoral visit to Australia, the services were celebrated by His Grace Jerome of Manhattan, Vicar Bishop of the Eastern American Diocese. His Grace was concelebrated by Archpriest Andrei Sommer, Hieromonk Nicholas (Perekrestov), the custodian of the wonder-working Kursk-Root Icon Priest Nicholas Olkhovsky, Archdeacon Nicholas Mokhoff and the clergy of the Synodal Cathedral. The icon itself was also present, sitting on the left side in its place.

After the Liturgy the clergy and laity were invited to participate in the banquet, preraped with love by the Sisterhood of the Cathedral.

PHOTO-REPORT

NATIVITY EPISTLE OF HIS EMINENCE METROPOLITAN HILARION OF NEW YORK AND EASTERN AMERICA

Most Reverend fellow archpastors, most honorable fathers, God-loving monastics, dear brothers and sisters, faithful children of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia!

With heartfelt love I greet all of you with the great, all-joyous Feast of the Nativity of Christ!