On the great feast of the Nativity of Christ, the festal All-Night Vigil on Monday, the 6th, and Divine Liturgy on Tuesday, the 7th of January, were officiated by Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City.

Serving alongside the First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad were cathedral clerics: dean Archpriest Andrei Sommer, Archpriest Seraphim Chemodakov, Hieromonk Theognost (Kogan), and Protodeacons Nicolas Mokhoff and Serge Arlievsky.

The Synodal choir sang wonderfully and festally under the direction of conductor Vadim S. Gan.

The services were held under the aegis of the Protectress of the Russian Diaspora – the wonderworking Kursk Root Icon of the Mother of God, beautifully adorned, like the entire cathedral, for the feast.

A multitude of parishioners of the Synodal Cathedral and other churches gathered for the services. Most of those present confessed their sins and received Christ’s Holy Mysteries.

Metropolitan Nicholas greeted the clergy and faithful on the radiant feast and addressed those present with a Christmas sermon.

In the cathedral hall, the sisterhood arranged a festal meal for all.