NEW YORK: December 13, 2018
Feast-day celebrations at the Synodal Cathedral of Our Lady “of the Sign”

On Monday, December 10, 2018, Divine Liturgy was celebrated at the Synodal Cathedral of Our Lady “of the Sign” in New York, led by His Eminence Metropolitan Hilarion of Eastern America and New York, First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia. His Eminence was joined by the hierarchs who participated in the Synod of Bishops meeting that preceded the feast day of the Kursk-Root Icon of the Mother of God "of the Sign”: His Eminence Archbishop Mark of Berlin and Germany; His Eminence Archbishop Gabriel of Montreal and Canada; His Grace Bishop Irenei of Richmond and Western Europe; His Grace Bishop Theodosius of Seattle, Vicar of the Western American Diocese; His Grace Bishop George of Canberra, Vicar of the Diocese of Australia and New Zealand, and His Grace Bishop Nicholas of Manhattan, Vicar of the Eastern American Diocese and Deputy Secretary of the Synod of Bishops.

Despite the workday, a multitude of parishioners and guests gathered for the service. Almost everyone partook of the Holy Gifts of Christ. Peter Fekula directed the cathedral choir.

After Liturgy, Vladyka Hilarion gave awards to those who labor for the benefit of the Holy Church and the Synodal cathedral. Nadezhda Mokhoff was awarded the Synodal Medal of the Mother of God “of the Sign,” Third Degree, for her many years of work on the Russian Orthodox Youth Committee and the cathedral. Decrees of blessing from the Synod of Bishops were granted to George and Marina Stepanchenko and Constantine Stamos, and to Oleg Trofimenko for his years of service in the choir and in adorning the cathedral.

A trapeza luncheon was then offered in the Synod hall.