On May 22, 2023, the feast of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, Archbishop of Myra in Lycia, St. Nicholas Patriarchal Cathedral in New York celebrated its so-called “lesser patronal feast.” Concelebrating at the Divine Liturgy, led by the rector of the cathedral, Archpriest Igor Vyzhanov, were the cathedral clergy and guests from the Russian Church Outside of Russia: the Vice-Chancellor of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA and acting Dean of the Eastern States, Priest Mark Rashkov; the cleric of St. Nicholas Cathedral, Hieromonk John (Shefler); the sacristan of the ROCOR Synodal Cathedral of the Sign, Archpriest Andrei Sommer; the head of the chancery of the ROCOR Synod of Bishops, Archpriest Serafim Gan; the rector of Holy Protection Church in Glen Cove (Eastern American Diocese of ROCOR), Archpriest Alexander Anchutin; and the cleric of ROCOR’s Novo-Diveevo Convent, Archpriest Vasily Zelenyuk.
In his address after the dismissal of the Divine Liturgy, Archpriest Igor Vyzhanov emphasized that the status of a “lesser patronal feast” in no way diminishes the need to properly honor the heavenly patron of St. Nicholas Cathedral, who is one of the most beloved saints of all Orthodox Christians.
After the service a festive meal was held, attended by the Deputy Permanent Representatives of the Russian Federation to the United Nations, D.S. Chumakov and M.V. Zabolotskaya.