Archpriest Igor Vyzhanov, Rector of St. Nicholas Patriarchal Cathedral in New York, Hegumen Nikodim (Balyasnikov), Acting Chancellor of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA, and Priest Mark Rashkov, Vice Chancellor and Acting Rector of St John the Baptist Church in Singac, New Jersey, took part in Russian Language Day celebration and festivities at the United Nations.
The event was held in the Sputnik exhibition space of the UN General Assembly building and was timed to coincide with the 225th anniversary of the birth of the 19th century poet Alexander Pushkin. It was organized by the Permanent Mission of the Russian Federation to the United Nations.
An exhibition dedicated to Russian folk tales and the work of the great Russian poet was launched at the UN headquarters.
Deputy Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation to the UN D. S. Chumakov addressed the audience with a welcoming speech.
The participants also heard greetings from the UN Under-Secretary-General, Head of the Department of Conference Support Movses Abelian.
Students of the secondary school of the Permanent Mission of the Russian Federation to the UN performed a wonderful composition on the theme "Tales of Tsar Saltan" by A. S. Pushkin, enjoyed by all!
