On Wednesday, May 13, the feast of Mid-Pentecost, in response to requests by many Orthodox Christians and with the blessing of Metropolitan Hilarion of Eastern America & New York, First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad, Bishop Nicholas of Manhattan, after praying at the festal Divine Liturgy in St. Seraphim Memorial Church in Sea Cliff, NY, served a moleben and akathist to the Most Holy Theotokos, and then performed an aerial procession with the Kursk Root Icon of the Mother of God around Manhattan and the New York Metropolitan Area, including the counties of Long Island.

Accompanying His Grace on the flight were Archpriest Serafim Gan, rector of the above-named parish, Protodeacon Eugene Kallaur (cleric of the same), and parishioner Vladimir V. Sushko. After completing the service and returning to the parish church, and Bishop Nicholas expressed profound gratitude to Mr. Sushko, relaying to him the archpastoral blessing of the First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad and presenting him with an icon memorializing the its centennial. Upon completion of his visit, the vicar of the Eastern American Diocese expressed his hope that the Most-Blessed Theotokos will help the people of New York in this difficult time.

Due to the epidemic and continuing shutdown by city and state authorities, His Eminence, Metropolitan Hilarion, and His Grace, Bishop Nicholas, remain at the Synodal Headquarters in New York City. Prayers are offered up before this ancient icon of the Russian Church on a daily basis for the health of doctors, medical staff, and the sick, and for a speedy delivery from this fatal disease.

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