June 16, 2016
New York City: Metropolitan Hilarion celebrates Liturgy on Sunday of Holy Fathers of the First Ecumenical Council in Synodal Cathedral

On June 12, the Sunday of the Holy Fathers of the First Ecumenical Council, the hierarchal Divine Liturgy was celebrated in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City, in the presence of the wonderworking Kursk Root Icon of the Mother of God. Leading the service was Metropolitan Hilarion of Eastern America & New York, co-served by diocesan vicar Bishop Nicholas of Manhattan, cathedral senior priest Archpriest Andrei Sommer, Hieromonk Eutychius (Dovganyuk), and Protodeacon Nicolas Mokhoff (cathedral clerics). Singing the divine service was the hierarchal choir under the direction of conductor Peter Fekula.

Upon completion of the Liturgy, Metropolitan Hilarion addressed the faithful with a sermon. His Eminence spoke about the summoning of the First Ecumenical Council, which condemned the Arian heresy and adopted the first half of the Symbol of Faith, and in which participated such pillars of Orthodoxy as the great saints of God and holy hierarchs Athanasius the Great, Nicholas, Wonderworker of Myra in Lycia, and Spyridon, Wonderworker of Trimythous.

Metropolitan Hilarion called on the faithful to thank God for the opportunity to belong to the Holy Orthodox Church, against which "the gates of hell shall not prevail," and not only to belong, but also to bring forth fruits, perform good works, and take active part in the life of the Church, in which we are given everything needful for our salvation.

Media Office of the Eastern American Diocese