New York. On December 10 of 2014, took place celebrations dedicated to the 30th Anniversary of the episcopal ministry of His Eminence Metropolitan of Eastern America and New York Hilarion, the sixth First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia. That was also the Festive Day Kursk Root Icon and patronal feast of Cathedral of Our Lady of the Sign.

The ruling bishops of neighboring dioceses of USA, foreign guests, clergy and parishioners arrived to Synodal Cathedral, which for many years is «home» for main shrine of ROCA – the wonderworking icon of Our Lady of the Sign.

On the eve of the festival was held All-Night Vigil, and the next day the participants celebrated Divine Liturgy and thanksgiving service.

Metropolitan Hilarion celebrated Liturgy together with Archbishop of Berlin and Germany Mark, Archbishop of San Francisco and Western American Kyrill, Archbishop of Montreal and Canada Gabriel, Archbishop of Geneva and Western Europe Michael, Bishop of Cleveland Peter, Bishop of Mayfield George, Bishop of Bulgaria Daniel, Bishop of Manhattan Nicholas, Bishop of Georgia Sava and Bishop Jerome.

Archbishop of Geneva and Western Europe Michael made a heartfelt sermon on the role of the wonderworking icon of Our Lady of the Sign for the whole Russian Orthodox Church, including those who scattered beyond the borders of the Fatherland.

Gifts were made for Metropolitan Hilarion: vestments from members of Synod and Diocese of Germany, Episcopal Service Book, greeting epistles, and the first one of them was greetings from His Holiness Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Kirill.

In his response, Metropolitan of Eastern America and New York Hilarion noted the importance of the icon of Our Lady of the Sign in his pastoral ministry. His Eminence warmly thanked the participants for their loyalty to the Church of Christ, emphasized the magnificent singing of the Synodal choir, the work of the Sisterhood of the Synodal Cathedral. The most active parishioners were awarded diocesan diplomas.

After the Liturgy in the spacious hall of one of the premises of the Greek Orthodox Church was hosted a banquet in honor of Metropolitan Hilarion. A lot of good and cordial greetings were expressed there.

Warm words for metropolitan Hilarion were expressed by Archpriest Alexander Belyaev, the Dean of First Deanery of New York. At the end, the Synodal choir beautifully and solemnly sang «Many Good Years» for dear Metropolitan.