Nanuet, New York - On Saturday, September 14, the day of the beginning of the Ecclesiastical New Year and the Feast of the Assembly of Diveyevo Saints, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America and New York of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia (ROCOR) paid an archpastoral visit to the "Novo-Diveyevo" Dormition Convent, where he led the divine services on the occasion of the 75th Anniversary of the founding of the convent by the ever-memorable Archbishop Andrei (Rymarenko; +1978).

On Saturday morning, His Eminence was greeted at the convent's St. Seraphim Cathedral to the sound of bells. Concelebrating with the First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad were Archbishop Gabriel of Montreal and Canada and Bishops Irinej of Washington-New York and Eastern America (Serbian Orthodox Church), Luke of Syracuse and Jerome (Shaw), as well as diocesan and local clergy. Joining Bishop Irinej were Protopresbyter-Stavrophor Zoran Radovic of Elizabeth, NJ, Deacon Vladimir Srbljak of Paterson, NJ, and Mihail Golic, post-graduate Student of Theology.

The services were held under the protection of the myrrh-streaming "Hawaiian" Iveron Icon of the Mother of God. The cathedral was filled with parishioners and pilgrims, many of whom prayed in the open air, listening to the service through loudspeakers. The extended choir under the direction of Alla Generalova sang wonderfully.

After the Liturgy, the clergy served a short prayer service before the myrrh-streaming icon.

In his speech, Metropolitan Nicholas congratulated the clergy, monks and parishioners on the significant anniversary, reminding them of the need to firmly hold on to the faith and protect the legacy of those who erected the sacred walls of the monastery.

In honor of the Anniversary, Abbess Makaria (Fadina) was awarded a Synodal Charter. In recognition of her dedicated service as a choirmaster and administrator of the monastery chancery, Mother Maria Fyodorovskaya was awarded the Synodal Women's Order of the Kursk Root Icon of the Mother of God, 3rd Degree.

A banquet, masterfully prepared by G&A Events, was held in the monastery's refectory. A photo exhibition was presented to those present, allowing them to reflect on the number of individuals who worked to build the holy monastery.

Many remained on the monastery grounds throughout the day, visiting the monastery's churches and historic cemetery, and to pray before the newly-restored portrait of St. Seraphim of Sarov.

Source: https://ru.eadiocese.org/