On April 19, 2024, Archpriest Igor Vyzhanov, rector of St. Nicholas Patriarchal Cathedral in New York, took part in the ceremony of presenting commemorative medals "In honor of the 80th anniversary of the complete liberation of Leningrad from the Nazi blockade" to people that survived the siege of Leningrad during the Great Patriotic War.
The event was held at the Consulate General of the Russian Federation in New York City. Minister-Counsellor of the Russian Embassy in the United States Alexander Kim, who arrived from Washington presented the more than 60 survivors of the siege with state decorations and congratulated them. The Consul General of the Russian Federation in New York His Excellency A. K. Zakharov, the Chairman of the American Society of Leningrad Siege Survivors I. A. Svetlosanova and Archpriest I. Vyzhanov also expressed their congratulations and greetings.
In his speech, Fr. Igor emphasized the great importance of the Orthodox faith which helped many people to withstand the siege of Leningrad, and the role of the future Patriarch Alexy I the then Metropolitan of Leningrad, and how he heroically shared with his flock, all the hardships of the siege. The rector of St. Nicholas Cathedral lifted up a prayer for the repose of those who died during the siege and wished God's mercy to the living veterans.
