On Thursday, August 27, the Forefeast of the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos, His Eminence Nicholas, Metropolitan of Eastern America & New York, and His Grace Theodosius, Bishop of Manhattan, paid an archpastoral visit to Holy Dormition Convent "Novo-Diveevo" in Nanuet, NY on the occasion of Archpriest Alexander Fedorowski’s 96th birthday. Fr. Alexander is dean of the convent’s St. Seraphim Cathedral.

The Hierarches arrived for the morning Divine Liturgy. Bishop Theodosius celebrated Liturgy, co-served by Fr. Alexander, Priest Artem Siss (convent cleric), and Deacon Vladimir Srbljak (cleric of the Serbian Orthodox Church). The First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad and Archpriest George Zelenin (rector of St. Michael Church in Wayne, NJ) prayed in the altar.

Upon conclusion of Liturgy, the Polychronion was intoned for Fr. Alexander. Metropolitan Nicholas offered his congratulations and prayers on the senior cleric’s birthday. Afterward, the sisters of the convent hosted tea for the clergy. His Eminence returned to his duties at the Synodal Headquarters in New York City. Bishop Theodosius stayed through the weekend to serve the upcoming services for the patronal feast of Novo-Diveevo, officiating the All-Night Vigil that evening.

On Friday, August 28, the great feast of the Dormition, the service began with an akathist to the Dormition and the Lesser Blessing of Water; the greeting of the bishop followed. Concelebrating with His Grace at Liturgy in St. Seraphim Cathedral were convent clergy: Frs. Alexander and Artem and Protodeacon Alexey Pnev.

The choir sang the divine services under the direction of Alla Generalova. Praying at Liturgy were the acting abbess, Mother Seraphima, the nuns, and a multitude of pilgrims. That day, many communed of Christ’s Holy Mysteries.

After Liturgy, a procession was held to the "small" church dedicated to the Holy Dormition, where a moleben was served. The service concluded with the intonation of the Polychronion to Mother Seraphima and the sisters of the convnet. The faithful venerated the cross and relics that are kept in the Dormition Church, as well as receiving a blessing with the holy water from the morning akathist. Afterward, all were invited to a festal luncheon.

His Grace remained at the convent for the remainder of the weekend, serving the cycle of services that ended on Sunday evening with the Burial Rite for the Theotokos with Procession of the Dormition Shroud.