On July 23, the 7th Sunday after Pentecost and the date when the Holy Church honors the memory of Venerable Anthony of the Kiev Caves, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York celebrated Divine Liturgy in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City. Concelebrating with His Eminence were: Hieromonk Theognost (Kogan; cleric of Holy Virgin Protection Church in Nyack, NY), Priest Alexey Klar (cleric of Holy Dormition Convent "Novo-Diveevo" in Nanuet, NY), Protodeacon Nicolas Mokhoff (cathedral cleric), and Hierodeacon Panteleimon (Jigalin; diocesan cleric).

Singing at Liturgy was the Synodal choir under the direction of conductor Vadim S. Gan.

Parishioners of the cathedral and other churches in the city gathered to pray at the divine services. Most of the faithful communed of Christ’s Holy Mysteries.

Upon completion of Liturgy, Metropolitan Nicholas greeted all with the feast, and addressed those present with a sermon, in which he said, in part:

"As we heard in today’s Gospel reading (from Matthew), the Lord does not abandon the sick. As He went, two blind men followed Him, crying and saying: ‘Jesus, Thou son of David, have mercy on us.’ Jesus Christ went into the house, the blind men following Him, and Jesus asks them: ‘Believe ye that I am able to do this?’ And they gave Him a firm and clear answer: ‘Yea, Lord!’ The Lord says to them: ‘According to your faith be it unto you,’ heals them, and adds that they should tell no one that He had healed them. Later they brought to Jesus Christ a man dumb and possessed by a demon. The Lord healed him, as well.

"At that time, they were awaiting an earthly king – a sovereign. And Christ knew this, but He had come to give the people a new and Heavenly Kingdom, to give them a new law – the law of love for God and neighbor. He needed to go on and to preach, to give an example, to heal. But why did He tell the former blind men and the former possessed man not to tell anyone about the healing? Because He did not want them to glorify Him an earthly king, a conqueror of this world, which would be wrong.

"Meanwhile they, having been healed, rejoiced. Christ vivified them, and this is an example for us: we often walk incorrectly, our eyes are closed. We do not see the light of God. Perhaps we do not want to see it. We must live like these blind men: seeking Christ and crying ‘Have mercy on us, forgive us our sins.’ And the Almighty God will always help. But we seek an earthly king, earthly riches, an earthly victory, that we might pride ourselves therein. But this is all transitory and vain. Where is our real future?

"Christ healed many; so too can he open our eyes. But we need to ask for this, to pray fervently and regularly.

"Also seeking God was the great ascetic saint – Venerable Anthony of the Kiev Caves. He laid the foundation of monasticism in Rus’. He was born five years before the Baptism of Rus and, as an educated person, was renowned also for his love for God. He left for Mount Athos in order to totally leave the world, save his soul, and experience marvelous dialogue with God – unceasing prayer.

"When Venerable Anthony received the blessing to return to Rus’, where he also tried to live as a hermit. But the brotherhood started to gather around him. He would go out further, and a new brotherhood would appear there, as well – these are now known to us as the Near and Far Caves. The brethren wanted to be close to the venerable saint, because he was close to God. We ought to remain close to such people – good people, people of the Church – and work to draw them into our lives. And then the Lord will never leave us."

Upon completion of the service, the cathedral sisterhood organized a luncheon in the church hall.