On March 19, the Sunday of the Cross, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York celebrated Divine Liturgy in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City.
Concelebrating with the First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad were: cathedral dean Archpriest Andrei Sommer, Archpriests Vasily Zelenyuk (cleric of Holy Dormition Convent "Novo-Diveevo" in Nanuet, NY) and Paul Kang (rector of Nativity of the Mother of God Mission Church in Gumi, South Korea), Protodeacons Nicolas Mokhoff (cathedral cleric) and Eugene Kallaur (cleric of St. Seraphim Memorial Church in Sea Cliff, NY), and Hierodeacon Panteleimon (Jigalin; diocesan cleric).
Singing at Liturgy was the Synodal choir under the direction of conductor Vadim S. Gan.
A multitude of cathedral parishioners and faithful from other churches in the city prayed at Liturgy, many of whom communed of Christ’s Holy Mysteries.
Upon completion of the service, the clergy served a short moleben to the Cross of the Lord.
Metropolitan Nicholas greeted those gathered with the feast and addressed the faithful with a sermon, in which he noted that the day’s feast of the Sunday of the Cross coincided with the Finding of the Cross of the Lord, when the Holy Empress Helen found the Life-Creating Cross of the Lord.
His Eminence reminded the faithful of the need to bear one’s cross with love, understanding, and humility, because the Cross is our path to salvation.
Metropolitan Nicholas greeted the rector of Nativity of the Mother of God Mission Church in Gumi, South Korea, Archpriest Paul Kang.
Next year will mark 30 years since the Synod of Bishops gave its blessing in 1994 to reactivate ROCOR's Orthodox Mission in Korea, which had once been nourished by the Harbin Diocese and the Peking Mission. The mission was original led for 17 years by Archpriest Justin Kang, Fr. Paul’s father. In 2010, Fr. Justin and Matushka Helen were tonsured monastics, and Deacon Paul was ordained a priest and took over the Mission.
Upon completion of the service, the cathedral sisterhood organized a luncheon, during which interaction between the clergy and parishioners continued.
New York City: On Sunday of the Cross, Metropolitan Nicholas celebrates Liturgy in Synodal Cathedral - 03/19/23
Photos: Media Office of the Eastern American Diocese - T. Veselkina
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