NEW YORK: May 15, 2020
An aerial procession of the Kursk-Root Icon of the Mother of God circles the New York area

On Wednesday, May 13, 2020, the day of Mid-Pentecost, in response to pleas by many Orthodox Christians and with the blessing of His Eminence Metropolitan Hilarion of Eastern America and New York, First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, His Grace Bishop Nicholas of Manhattan, after Divine Liturgy at St Seraphim Memorial Church in Sea Cliff, NY, performed a moleben and Akathist to the Mother of God and made an aerial procession with the Kursk-Root Icon of the Mother of God "of the Sign" around Manhattan and Greater New York, including Long Island.

Protopriest Serafim Gan, Rector of the parish, joined in the flight along with Protodeacon Eugene Kallaur of the same church together with parishioner Vladimir Valentinovich Sushko. They then returned to the parish church, and Vladyka Nicholas expressed profound gratitude to Mr Sushko, relaying to him Metropolitan Hilarion’s archpastoral blessing, giving him an icon memorializing the centennial of the Russian Church Abroad. After the visit, Bishop Nicholas expressed the hope that the Most-Blessed Theotokos would help the people of New York in this difficult time.

Due to the epidemic and continuing shutdown by city and state authorities, Metropolitan Hilarion and Bishop Nicholas remain at the Synodal residence in New York City. Prayers are lifted on a daily basis before this ancient icon of the Russian Church for the health of doctors, medical staff and the sick and for the speedy delivery from this fatal disease.