On Thursday, March 16, the 15th anniversary of the repose of Metropolitan Laurus (Škurla) of blessed memory, His Eminence Nicholas, Metropolitan of Eastern America & New York, First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad, visited Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville, NY. His Grace, Eastern American Diocesan vicar Bishop Luke of Syracuse, greeted the primate and invited him to the abbot’s residence for a reception and brotherly interaction.
After a luncheon donated by His Eminence and prepared by the monastic brethren, Metropolitan Nicholas served a panihida in Holy Trinity Cathedral, co-served by monastery clergy, teachers of Holy Trinity Seminary, and visiting clerics. Bishop Luke prayed in the altar.
At the end of the service, the First Hierarch noted that performing memorial services for the dead always brings him consolation, and called upon everyone not to forget Metropolitan Laurus and the late brothers of the monastery, to visit their graves, pray for their repose, study their biographies and legacy, and strive to emulate their example, preserving their memory with grateful love. His Eminence then proceeded to the crypt of the late Metropolitan Laurus, venerated the tomb, and here read the prayer for the departed.
Bidding farewell to Bishop Luke, the brethren, and seminarians, Metropolitan Nicholas departed for the neighboring Convent of the Iveron Icon of the Mother of God, where he met with the sisters and reviewed their new construction project, after which he returned to New York.
