NEW YORK: 16 February, 2025
Namesday celebrations are held for Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America and New York, First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad

On Sunday, February 16, 2025, the Sunday of the Prodigal Son and the feast day of St Nicholas, Archbishop of Japan, Equal-to-the-Apostles, His Eminence Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America and New York celebrated his namesday. On that day, the First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia celebrated Divine Liturgy, and all-night vigil the evening before, at the Cathedral of Our Lady “of the Sign” at the Synodal Residence in New York City.

Concelebrating with Metropolitan Nicholas were His Eminence Metropolitan Longin of New Gracanica and Chicago of the Midwestern America (Serbian Orthodox Church); His Eminence Archbishop Gabriel of Montreal and Canada; His Grace Bishop Clement of Leucia (Bulgarian Orthodox Church) and Bishop Jerome (Shaw), as well the Cathedral Dean, Archpriest Andrei Sommer and cathedral clergy, clergy of the Eastern American Diocese and visiting priests.

During Divine Liturgy, the faithful who had gathered to congratulate His Eminence on his feast day had the opportunity to venerate the myrrh-streaming Iveron-Hawaiian Icon of the Mother of God.

The liturgical hymns were sung by the Synodal Choir under the direction of conductor Vadim Gan.

In his sermon at the end of the service, Metropolitan Nicholas expressed gratitude to God for the opportunity to gather for prayer in the Synodal Cathedral, celebrate the Divine Liturgy, pray before the miraculous icon, collegially honor the memory of St Nicholas and ask God for help in serving the Church of Christ.

On behalf of the Synod of Bishops, Archbishop Gabriel congratulated Metropolitan Nicholas on his namesday, thanked him for his primatial labors and care for the entire Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, wishing him good health and good spirits for many years.

Metropolitan Longin addressed the archpastor with warm words of greeting and presented him with a memorable gift – a portrait of the ever-memorable Metropolitan Laurus.

A festal luncheon was served in the cathedral hall, during which many kind words and good wishes were addressed to His Eminence Bishop Nicholas, and Archpriest Serafim Gan read out greetings addressed to His Eminence.