NEW YORK: 12 January 2024
The head of the North American Archdiocese of the Antiochian Orthodox Church visits the Synodal Residence of the First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad

On Thursday, January 11, 2024, the season of the Nativity of Christ, His Eminence Metropolitan Saba, head of the North American Archdiocese of the Orthodox Church of Antioch, visited the Synodal residence of the First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia in New York.

At the Synodal Cathedral of Our Lady “of the Sign,” Metropolitan Saba was met by His Eminence Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America and New York. After venerating the Kursk-Root Icon of the Mother of God, the right hand of the Venerable Martyr Grand Duchess Elizabeth Feodorovna, and the portrait of St Seraphim of Sarov from the Novo-Diveevo Convent of the Dormition, which after restoration is temporarily located in the Cathedral of the Sign, the hierarchs proceeded to the altar of the cathedral and venerated the altar table.

Metropolitan Nicholas then spoke about the holy relics kept here: icons from the Ipatiev House which belonged to the Royal Family, and the icon of St John (Maximovich).

After telling His Eminence the history of the cathedral and the Synodal residence, Metropolitan Nicholas invited Metropolitan Savva to his chambers for lunch. A fraternal conversation took place between the archpastors, who discussed issues of mutual interest in a warm and friendly atmosphere.

After lunch, the hierarchs exchanged Christmas gifts, after which they said goodbye fraternally.

Before leaving the Synodal residence, Metropolitan Saba venerated the relics of the lower church, consecrated in honor of St Sergius of Radonezh, and prayed before the Harbin miraculous icon of the Mother of God "Joy of All Who Sorrow."

On behalf of the Orthodox Church of Antioch, Deacon Elias Nicolas took part in the meeting. Participating on behalf of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia were Archpriest Seraphim Gan, Chancellor of the Synod of Bishops and Secretary of the First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, Archpriest George Temidis, Secretary of the Diocesan Administration of the Eastern American Diocese, and Protodeacon Eugene Kallaur, a member of the Chancery of the Synod of Bishops and a cleric of St Seraphim Church in Sea Cliff, New York.

Photo: Protodeacon Eugene Kallaur