NEW YORK: March 25, 2013
The Primate of the Russian Church Abroad Celebrates Divine Liturgy at the Synodal Cathedral of Our Lady “of the Sign” on the Sunday of the Triumph of Orthodoxy

On Sunday, March 24, 2013, the Sunday of the Triumph of Orthodoxy, His Eminence Metropolitan Hilarion of Eastern America and New York, First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, officiated at Divine Liturgy at the Synodal Cathedral of Our Lady “of the Sign.” His Eminence was joined by Protopriest Andrei Sommer, Senior Priest of the Cathedral; Hieromonk Nicholas (Perekrestov); Priest Nicholas Olhovsky, caretaker of the Kursk-Root Icon of the Mother of God "of the Sign"; Hieromonk Evtikhy (Dovganiuk); along with Protodeacon Nicolas Mokhoff and Hierodeacon Tikhon (Gayfudinov).

In recognition of his efforts to the glory of God and the good of the Russian Church Abroad, His Eminence awarded Fr Andrei, the Vice President of the Synodal Youth Department, with the ornamented gold pectoral cross. The solemn services were held in the presence of the Hodigitria (Protectress) of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, the Kursk-Root Icon of the Mother of God "of the Sign.” 

The Rite of Orthodoxy was performed at the end of Liturgy, intoned by Fr Nicolas. Joining the service were Protopriest Victor Tseshkovsky and Protopriest Alexander Belya, who had earlier celebrated Liturgy at their respective parishes in Brooklyn. Peter Fekula directed the triumphant singing of the cathedral choir.  

The clergymen and worshipers then shared a Lenten trapeza, splendidly prepared by the cathedral’s sisterhood.