On Wednesday, January 13, an official Nativity Reception was held in the Consulate of the Russian Federation in New York City, on behalf of Consul General Igor Leonidovich Golubovsky and the Administrator of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA, His Grace Bishop John of Naro-Fominsk.
The reception was attended by His Grace Eastern American Diocesan Vicar Bishop Nicholas of Manhattan, representing the First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad; His Grace Bishop Daniel of Dragovitia (Bulgarian Orthodox Church); clergy of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA; the Russian Church Abroad; the Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese in North America and the Orthodox Church in America. Representatives from other various religious and secular organizations were also present for the reception.
Igor Leonidovich welcomed all the assembled guests to the Consulate and wished them good fortune for the New Year. Their Graces Bishops John and Nicholas likewise greeted all the guests with the Feast of Nativity of Christ and the celebration of the New Year. Before the blessing of the food, a combined choir of clergy from the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA and the Russian Church Abroad sang the festal Troparion and Kontakion of the Feast of the Nativity of Christ.
Nativity Reception in the Consulate of the Russian Federation - 01/13/16
Photos: G. Konyev / Patriarchal Parishes in the USA
(5 images)