New York, September 19, 2022
Met. Nicholas (center), Abp. Kyrill of San Francisco (left), Met. Mark of Berlin (right). Photo: Eastern American Diocese
The Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia celebrated the enthronement of its new First Hierarch yesterday at the Synodal Cathedral of Our Lady “of the Sign” in New York City.
His Grace Bishop Nicholas of Manhattan was elected by the ROCOR Bishops’ Council last Tuesday, and his election was confirmed the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church the next day.
Photo: Eastern American Diocese
On Saturday evening, following the All-Night Vigil, Bp. Nicholas was elevated to the rank of Metropolitan, putting on the blue mantia and klobuk. His Eminence Metropolitan Mark of Berlin proclaimed, “Axios!” to the new First Hierarch, which was in turn sung by the ROCOR hierarchs, clergy, and the choir.
Met. Nicholas addressed the faithful with a brief word: “Brothers and sisters, pray for your hierarchs. Pray for the clergy. Pray for each other. This is our Christian duty, and it helps us pave our path to salvation.”
The next morning, Met. Nicholas was formally enthroned as the First Hierarch of ROCOR during the Divine Liturgy.
Met. Nicholas again addressed the people with a short word:
Today’s feast day is not just or one person, but for the entire Church. We are glorifying God, and this Synod is your Church, it’s your home, and I might not only invite you to visit more often and pray here, but I expect to see you here more often, that we can come together with our bishops, with our priests, with our choir, and the faithful to glorify God and feel a piece of Heaven on earth. Always remember this that this is your church, you are our flock, and we want to see you here.
The First Hierarch then received the greetings and congratulations of the faithful as they came forward to venerate the cross.
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