On Sunday, December 1, Metropolitan Hilarion of Eastern America & New York celebrated Divine Liturgy in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City. Concelebrating with His Eminence were cathedral clerics: dean Andrei Sommer, Archpriest Edward Chervinsky, Abbot Eutychius (Dovgan), and Protodeacon Nicolas Mokhoff, as well as Deacon Nicholas Ilyin (cleric of Holy Dormition Convent "Novo-Diveevo" in Nanuet, NY.

The Synodal choir sang under the direction of cathedral Protodeacon Vadim Gan.

Despite the forecast rain and snowstorm, a multitude of parishioners gathered for Liturgy, most of whom communed of Christ’s Holy Mysteries at the outset of the Nativity Fast.

Present in the cathedral for Liturgy was the "Circumglobal" Icon of the Protection of the Mother of God, which later that same day departed for Los Angeles, CA.

Upon completion of the service, Metropolitan Hilarion addressed those gathered with a sermon on the subject of the day’s Gospel reading, and called on them to "gather spiritual treasures and be good to one another;" he congratulated the faithful with the start of the Nativity Fast, and called on them to prepare to greet the radiant feast of Christ’s Nativity with pure hearts.

The cathedral sisterhood prepared a traditional Sunday luncheon for the clergy and parishioners.