On February 22, Cheesefare Sunday, the commemoration of the expulsion of Adam from Paradise, 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 clergy: dean Archpriest Andrei Sommer, Hieromonk Theognost (Kogan), and Protodeacon Serge Arlievsky.

The Synodal choir sang beautifully under the direction of conductor Vadim S. Gan.

Liturgy was held under the aegis of the Protectress of the Russian Diaspora – the wonderworking Kursk Root Icon of the Mother of God.

A multitude of cathedral parishioners and believers from other churches gathered to pray at the service on the eve of Great Lent. Many confessed and communed of Christ’s Holy Mysteries.

Upon conclusion of Liturgy, His Eminence greeted those present with the Lord’s day and, in his sermon, said, in part:

"Tomorrow is the first day of Great Lent, and on the day before Lent, we can ask the Lord for forgiveness and help before this spiritual struggle. We must make peace with everyone, ask for forgiveness, and, showing humility, forgive. This is what we will do.

"The Lord says: if we do not forgive each other’s sins, offenses, and misdeeds, then we will not be forgiven. This is sorrowful, pitiful, and frightening. Let us reflect and wholeheartedly demonstrate this beautiful Christian virtue.

"Entering the days of Great Lent, it is always helpful to hearken to the teachings of our Holy Fathers. In particular, that of St. John of Kronstadt, the great pastor of our Church: ‘Always consider that you are accursed, poor, needy, blind and naked without God – as Adam became – that God is everything to you: He is your righteousness, your sanctification, your riches, your raiment, your life, your breath—everything.'"

Metropolitan Nicholas called on everyone to be with God and to remain far from temptations and falls.

On the eve of Great Lent, the sisterhood organized a bliny luncheon in the cathedral hall.

That evening, Metropolitan Nicholas officiated Vespers with the Rite of Forgiveness in the cathedral.