On August 25, the 9th Sunday after Pentecost and the Afterfeast of the Transfiguration of the Lord, 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 cathedral clerics: dean Archpriest Andrei Sommer and Protodeacon Serge Arlievsky.

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

A multitude of parishioners communed of Christ’s Holy Mysteries.

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

"Every one of us is given an opportunity to transfigure our lives. We feel this when we repent and commune. We leave church transformed: what an ascent, what true joy there for this life. Wednesday will mark the feast of the Dormition of the Mother of God, and such feasts as the Transfiguration and the Dormition can have an impact on our lives.

"The Mother of God is always with us and does not forsake us. The Apostle Paul gives us these wonderful and important words today: ‘Ye are the temple of God, and the Spirit of God dwelleth in you’ (I Cor. 3:16). We are created in the image of God, and are such a temple not for ourselves only, but for this world, as well. And we must consecrate our temple and preserve our soul. It is in this way, celebrating these feasts, reading our prayers with repentance, that we have a correct understanding of our life, that we are such a temple and that within us is that particular Spirit of God. For this reason, we consecrate every step of our life: when we are born, they read prayers; at our baptism, we are given a blessing and anointed with chrism. All of our deeds are consecrated by God’s blessing, and this helps us to preserve and keep that which we have – that beauty, that temple.

"Today we heard how the apostles sailed the Sea of Galilee, and Jesus Christ performed a great miracle. All around were storm and wind… the apostles were troubled and grew frightened. And suddenly they heard the voice of their Teacher. Christ says to them, ‘It is I; be not afraid.’ The apostles did not understand. What was this? A spirit or a vision? The Apostle Peter asked, ‘Can I come to Thee on the water?’ Christ answers, ‘Come.’ And the Apostle Peter sets his steps across the water to his Teacher and Savior. But, as often happens with us, he doubted, showed his uncertainty, and began to drown. The apostle cried out: ‘Lord, save me!’ Christ stretches for His hand, and they both enter into the ship. Then the Apostle Peter says, ‘O f a truth Thou art the Son of God.’

"So too in the ship of our life are we set upon from all sides: both by evil powers and the powers of this life. And all this to tear us away from our Savior. But He sees us and says, ‘It is I; be not afraid.’ The Lord is ever in our life. He does not forsake us; it is we who forsake the Lord, forsake our life in the Church, forget the wonderful commandments and laws and lose ourselves, drowning in the sea of life. We are frightened, but we can all cry out like the Apostle Peter: ‘Lord, save me!’ And the Lord will hear these words and give us a helping hand. But we must firmly believe that with the Lord all things are possible for our salvation."

A luncheon was organized in the cathedral hall for the clergy and faithful.