On January 7, 2026, the faithful of the Holy Trinity Cathedral in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, gathered with great joy and reverence for the celebration of the Feast of the Nativity of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

His Grace Bishop Irinej of Washington–New York and Eastern America presided over and celebrated the Festal Hierarchical Divine Liturgy, leading clergy and faithful in the joyous proclamation of the Incarnation of our Lord. Concelebrating with His Grace were Presbyter Nebojsa Varagic, parish priest, Protodeacon David Manko, and Deacon Daniel August. Reader John Buffalini, Milan Rodic, and Jack Yoest assisted in the altar. The Nativity of Christ is the central feast of the liturgical year, the day on which we commemorate the entry of the Word of God into human history in the flesh, and His coming among us brings salvation, hope, and healing to all creation.

The Holy Trinity Cathedral was resplendent with festal beauty. The choir lifted up the ancient hymns of the feast, the church school children chanted the Epistle and Nativity Antiphons, and the voices of the faithful echoed with an atmosphere of wonder and thanksgiving. The liturgical celebration combined solemn reverence with heartfelt joy, drawing the congregation into the mystery of Christ’s birth with deep devotion and festive fervor. 

The service concluded with Deacon Daniel reading the Nativity Encyclical of the Serbian Orthodox Church.

Following the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy, the faithful, gathered around their hierarch, extended festive greetings to one another, celebrating Christ’s birth not only in word and song but in the bonds of parish life and community.

As the faithful departed Holy Trinity Cathedral on this blessed feast day, they carried with them the peace and joy of the Nativity — a joy that echoes the angelic proclamation: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men!” (Luke 2:14).