New York, July 9, 2026
eadiocese.org
His Eminence Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America and New York, First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, issued an archpastoral letter to clergy marking the 50th anniversary of the repose of four ROCOR hierarchs, drawing on their example to address modern challenges posed by the internet and social media.
The letter recalls four archbishops who died in 1976: Their Eminences Archbishop Averky (Taushev) of Syracuse and Holy Trinity, Archbishop Nikon (Rklitsky) of Washington and Florida, Archbishop Savva (Raevsky) of Sydney, Australia and New Zealand, and Archbishop Nikodim (Nagaev) of Richmond and Great Britain. Met. Nicholas focuses his reflections on Abps. Nikon and Averky, both of whom served in the Eastern American Diocese.
Drawing chiefly on the writings of Abp. Averky, Met. Nicholas outlines several themes for clergy navigating the online space. He warns that public visibility shouldn’t be confused with genuine pastoral ministry, and cautions that missteps by priests can cause greater scandal today because of modern technology, given how closely the flock now watches its pastors.
He says clergy are called to conduct themselves in a God-pleasing manner not only in church and private life but also online, noting that Abps. Averky and Nikon never hid behind computer screens or engaged in online disputes, but grounded their ministry in living, face-to-face interaction.
He cautions against pride masquerading as zeal, urging pastors toward meekness and humility, and said clergy must not equate themselves with the Church, but rather call the flock to obedience to the Church itself. He also advises against partisanship, politics, and secular content online, and stressed sincerity, warning against any discrepancy between a pastor’s words and deeds.
On the subject of time, Met. Nicholas says the information age has brought a new temptation of squandering time in the virtual world, and urges clergy to redirect their hours toward unhurried prayer, the prescribed prayer rule, and the reading of Patristic writings, prioritizing living contact with parishioners over virtual presence. He cites a 2001 statement from the ROCOR Council of Bishops reminding clergy that their public statements are viewed as representing the entire Church.
In conclusion, Met. Nicholas calls on clergy to kindle reverence for divine worship, preach the Gospel with zeal, preserve pastoral love through living interaction, safeguard time for God, and uphold the spirit of the Church online.
He asks all rectors and clergy of the diocese to serve litias and panikhidas this year for the four departed hierarchs and to dedicate sermons to their spiritual legacy.
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