From December 9-11, 2025, the last meeting of the Synod of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia of the year took place at the Synodal Residence of the First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia in New York.

On Wednesday, December 10, the feast of the Kursk-Root Icon of the Mother of God "of the Sign," Metropolitan Nicholas officiated at Divine Liturgy at the Synodal Cathedral, preceded by all-night vigil on the eve.

His Eminence was joined by the Synod members; His Eminence Metropolitan Saba of North America (Antiochian Orthodox Church); His Grace Bishop Irinej of Washington-New York and Eastern America (Serbian Orthodox Church); His Grace Bishop Clement of Levka (Bulgarian Orthodox Church); His Grace Bishop Jerome (Shaw), along with Archpriest Andrei Sommer, Dean of the Cathedral, and its clergy, as well as representatives of several Local Orthodox Churches, clergy of the Eastern American Diocese, and guests in holy orders.

The service was conducted in Church Slavonic, English, Arabic, Serbian, and Romanian. In the center of the cathedral lay the principal shrine of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia – the Kursk-Root Icon of the Mother of God, which many faithful venerated.

On this day, the Synod prayerfully marked the 100th anniversary of the repose of Holy Patriarch Tikhon of Moscow and All Russia, and St Jonah (Pokrovsky), Bishop of Hankou the Manchurian miracle-worker.

The Synodal Choir under the direction of Vadim Gan sang tenderly with great inspiration.

Before Communion, a sermon was delivered by Metropolitan Mark on the significance of the Kursk Icon and St Tikhon for the German Diocese.

At the conclusion of the service, Metropolitan Nicholas addressed the assembly of archpastors, clergy, and worshipers. His Eminence particularly welcomed Metropolitan Saba, who participated for the first time in the festive service at the Synodal Cathedral, presenting him with an icon of the Lord Almighty. In response, Metropolitan Saba expressed his joy at serving together and presented to Metropolitan Nicholas the well-preserved belt of St Raphael of Brooklyn, with which he was buried.

The communion of the Primate, archpastors, clergy, and faithful continued over a festive meal, graciously prepared by the cathedral sisterhood. During the meal, Archpriest Serafim Gan, Chancellor of the Synod of Bishops and Secretary to the Primate, gave a brief report on the veneration of St Jonah in the Russian diaspora.

On Thursday, December 11, the archpastors continued their work in the meeting hall of the Synodal Residence. Concluding the meeting, the President of the Synod wished its participants a peaceful fast and a joyful encounter with the "Infant born, the Everlasting God".

That same evening, a meeting of the Supreme Council of the Orthodox Palestinian Society was held under the chairmanship of His Eminence Metropolitan Nikolai.

The next meeting of the Holy Synod will take place on February 17, 2026.

Source: synod.com