On April 27, the 2nd Sunday of Pascha, dedicated to the Holy Apostle Thomas, His Eminence Nicholas, Metropolitan of Eastern America & New York, celebrated Divine Liturgy in St. Seraphim Cathedral of Holy Dormition Convent "Novo-Diveevo" in Nanuet, NY.

Concelebrating with the First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad were: cathedral dean Archpriest Alexander Fedorowski, Archimandrite Siluan (Lembei; convent cleric), Priests Andrew Podymow (cleric of Holy Protection Church in Nyack, NY), Paul Volkoff (cleric of St. Nicholas Cathedral in Seattle, WA), Alexei Klar (cleric of St. Xenia Church in Methuen, MA), Artem Siss (convent cleric), Protodeacons Eugene Kallaur (cleric of St. Seraphim Memorial Church in Sea Cliff, NY) and Alexey Pnev (convent cleric), and Deacons Nicholas Ilyin (cleric of Holy Protection Church) and Alexis Baranoff (cleric of All Saints of Russia Church in Burlingame, CA).

Together with a multitude of faithful, Abbess Makaria and the sisters of the Novo-Diveevo Convent prayed at the divine service. The parish choir sang under the direction of Alla Generalova, accented by guests from other parishes that came to spend the day in this holy place. The majority of the faithful received Christ’s Holy Mysteries.

His Eminence delivered an inspirational sermon on the Apostle Thomas, his doubting of our Lord’s Resurrection, and its relevance in our time. After this, the traditional procession was held to the cemetery, where a Paschal memorial litia was served commemorating the hierarchs, clergy, monastics, and soldiers interred in the cemetery. The procession continued back to the cathedral, where Metropolitan Nicholas thanked the clergy, monastics, and choir, stressing the importance of the convent, the daily prayer and full cycle of liturgical services that take place within the walls of Novo-Diveevo, allowing the faithful to come and pray for themselves and their loved ones.

After the service, a luncheon was held for the serving clergy in the parish hall as families and friends gathered in the cemetery, visiting the graves of their loved ones and socializing. Several vendors were present in the cemetery, offering food and religious books and wares. The Novo-Diveevo Book Nook was also open throughout the day.

Other local priests also arrived at the cemetery following their own Sunday services, walking the grounds and serving litias at the request of individuals. His Eminence also joined the faithful following a short rest, where he served a litia for members of the Russian Cadets and then for Archpriest Alexis Kotar (dean of St. Nicholas Cathedral in Seattle), who was interred in the cemetery the previous day. The Metropolitan was accessible while he walked through the cemetery visiting various graves, greeting the families and faithful with the Paschal joy of Christ’s Resurrection.