On Sunday the 14th and Monday the 15th of January, Holy Dormition Convent "Novo-Diveevo" in Nanuet, NY celebrated the patronal feast of the convent’s principal church – St. Seraphim Cathedral. All-Night Vigil was served on the eve of the feast, while the traditional services were performed the day of: a moleben and akathist to Venerable Seraphim, Wonderworker of Sarov, the blessing of the water, and Divine Liturgy.

On the morning of January 15, the clergy and faithful greeted Bishop Nicholas of Manhattan, vicar of the Eastern American Diocese, and the Protectress of the Russian Diaspora – the Kursk Root Icon of the Mother of God. Concelebrating with Bishop Nicholas at Liturgy was cathedral dean Archpriest Alexander Fedorowski, Archpriest Elias Gorsky (rector of Holy Virgin Protection Church in Nyack, NY), Archpriest Mark Burachek (rector of Our Lady of Kazan Church in Newark, NJ), Archpriest Yaroslav Belikow and Abbot Photius (Oulanov; convent clerics), Archpriest George Zelenin (rector of St.. Michael Cathedral in Paterson, NJ), Protodeacon Serge Arlievsky (convent cleric), and Deacon Alexey Pnev (cleric of Nativity of the Mother of God Church at the New Kursk Root Hermitage in Mahopac, NY).

Parishioners from nearby cities also gathered to pray to the Venerable Elder Seraphim. The choir sang prayerfully under the direction of Matushka Maria Fedorowski and Reader Victor Gonchar.

The faithful communed of Christ’s Holy Mysteries. Convent Abbess Makaria presented Bishop Nicholas with festal gifts, among which was a gingerbread cake with a depiction of the Sarov Hermitage, baked by the sisters.

As the clergy made their way to a festal luncheon, the Kursk Root Icon remained in the church, and the faithful had an opportunity to pray before it. After lunch, His Grace and Fr. Alexander took the wonderworking image to the retirement home, where the sick and infirm residents were able to venerate the icon.

After interacting with the clergy and faithful, Bishop Nicholas returned to New York City.