On Sunday, December 10, 2023, the 27th Sunday after Pentecost, the Synodal Cathedral of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia (ROCOR) celebrated its patronal feast of the Kursk-Root Icon of Our Lady of The Sign. His Eminence Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America and New York, First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, officiated at the festal divine services.

Metropolitan Nicholas was joined in concelebration by the members of the ROCOR Holy Synod of Bishops: Their Eminences Metropolitan Mark of Berlin and Germany and Archbishop Gabriel of Montreal and Canada, together with Their Graces Bishop Irenei of London and Western Europe, Bishop Theodosy of Seattle, Deputy Secretary of the Synod of Bishops, and Bishop Job of Stuttgart. Joining in concelebration, at the invitation of Metropolitan Nicholas, was His Grace Bishop Irinej of the Eastern American Diocese of the Serbian Orthodox Church, together with representatives of the Moscow Patriarchal Cathedral and the Orthodox Church in America.

In lieu of a homily, on this momentous occasion, the Epistle of the Holy Synod of Bishops to the Clergy, Monastics and Pious Flock of the Russian Church Abroad, issued on December 11, 2023, was proclaimed before the assembled gathering, noting among all else:

“Rejoicing in the fraternal atmosphere and fruitful undertakings of the current session of the Synod of Bishops, held during the present days of the Nativity Fast, we render thanks unto God for His mercies and lovingly greet all of you with the words of the Church’s blessing: ‘Peace be unto all!’ For mankind is hungry for the peace of Christ.

“Having gathered around the Kursk-Root Icon of the Mother of God “of the Sign,” we fervently pray to the Most Blessed Virgin, “the Guide” (Hodegetria) of the Orthodox Diaspora, for the fulness of the Russian Church Abroad, the unity of Holy Orthodoxy, and for the subject of our principle grief at this moment — the speedy cessation of fratricidal warfare…”

Present also at this festal gathering, with the consent of Metropolitan Nicholas, was the newly arrived Consul General of the Republic of Serbia to the United States of America in New York, His Excellency Dr Vladimir Bozovic. Numerous Serbian Orthodox Christians from the Greater New York City area gathered to greet His Grace Bishop Irinej and to join their brethren at the Synodal Cathedral on the occasion of its Patronal Feast.

Source: ROCOR Synod