In the new administrative center of Eastern American Diocese, St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral (New Jersey), took place the jubilee celebrations, dedicated to 80th Anniversary of Foundation of Eastern American Diocese and 30th Anniversary of Episcopal Ordination of Metropolitan of Eastern America and New York, the First Hierarch of ROCA.

His Eminence Metropolitan of Eastern America and New York Hilarion led the Divine Liturgy with concelebration of nine bishops and over 80 clergy of Eastern American and Australian Dioceses, and of Patriarchal Parishes in the USA.

Metropolitan of Pereiaslav-Khmelnytskyi and Vyshneve Alexander (Ukrainian Orthodox Church) conveyed greetings from His Beatitude Metropolitan Onufriy, the Primate of UOC, whom Metropolitan Hilarion knows personally very well for long time. Metropolitan Alexander also presented to Metropolitan Hilarion the award of UOC – the Order of St. Apostle Andrew the First Called, as well as a set of panagias from the storage of memorable Primate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, The Most Blessed Metropolitan Volodymyr.

On behalf of Patriarchal Parishes in the USA, His Eminence was greeted by the Administrator of the Patriarchal parishes in the USA, Bishop of Naro-Fominsk Ioann, who presented to Metropolitan Hilarion the panagia with an image of all Saints, whom Russian Orthodox Church glorified in America.

The Rector of St. John the Forerunner church, Dean of First Deanery of New York, Archpriest Alexander Belya also greeted the First Hierarch with an occasion of Jubilee. Father Alexander noted a great contribution of Metropolitan Hilarion for development and prosperity of Orthodox Church. As a sign of filial love and respect, father Alexander presented to Metropolitan Hilarion a mitre with cross, created by nuns of Carpathian Rus.