May 1, 2016
New York City: Metropolitan Hilarion leads Divine Services for Pascha in Synodal Cathedral

On Saturday, April 30, and Sunday, May 1, the feast of the Glorious Resurrection of Christ – Pascha, Metropolitan Hilarion of Eastern American & New York, First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad, led the festal divine services in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City. His Eminence was co-served by Eastern American Diocesan vicar Bishop Nicholas of Manhattan, senior priest Archpriest Andrei Sommer, and cathedral clergy.

The Paschal services began with the greeting of the bishop at 11:15 PM, after which the Midnight Office was served. At midnight, the Paschal procession of clergy and parishioners began. At the doors to the cathedral, the long-awaited words rang out in many languages: "Christ is Risen!" and the multitude of the faithful responded, "Truly He is Risen!" At the festal divine services, the expanded hierarchal choir sang under the direction of conductor Peter Fekula.

The Liturgy for the Feast of Feasts proceeded especially triumphally. Metropolitan Hilarion read the Catechetical Homily of St. John Chrysostom; the cries of "Christ is Risen!" sounded out in Greek, English, French, and Slavonic.

Around 500 Orthodox Christians prayed at the festal Paschal Liturgy in the Synodal Cathedral, virtually all of whom communed of Christ’s Holy Mysteries. Upon completion of the service, the Artos was blessed, and a Paschal dinner was offered in the cathedral hall for the clergy and parishioners. Metropolitan Hilarion greeted those gathered, and a short moleben was served in the tradition of the Synodal Cathedral.

Media Office of the Eastern American Diocese