New York Architecture Images- St. Nicholas Cathedral (Russian Orthodox)

On Sunday, November 16, 2003, His Beatitude, Metropolitan HERMAN, Archbishop of Washington, Metropolitan of All America and Canada, and His Grace, Bishop NIKOLAI of Sitka, Anchorage, and Alaska were among the hierarchs concelebrating the Divine Liturgy marking the 100th anniversary
and rededication of St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Cathedral, New York City, NY.

CONGRATULATORY MESSAGE OF METROPOLITAN KIRILL OF SMOLENSK AND KALININGRAD, CHAIRMAN OF THE DEPARTMENT FOR EXTERNAL CHURCH RELATIONS, ON THE OCCASION OF THE COMPLETION OF RECONSTRUCTION AND THE GREAT BLESSING OF ST.NICHOLAS CATHEDRAL IN NEW YORK

His Grace MERKURY
Bishop of Zaraisk
Administrator of the Patriarchal parishes in the USA

Clergy and parishioners of St.Nicholas Cathedral in New York

I greet and congratulate the Most Reverend Vladyka, dear fathers, parishioners of St.Nicholas Cathedral in New York and all those who have worked for its reconstruction, on the day of the Great Blessing of the church.

The Lord judged St.Nicholas Cathedral in New York to witness the great changes in the life of Russia and America. Built at the turn of the 20th century, St.Nicholas Cathedral was conceived by its holy founders as the most important centre of the Russian Church in the United States, as a place, where all people who cherish Russian liturgical and spiritual traditions, could find help and consolation. The events that followed, such as the revolution of 1917, long years of canonical disorder, and the 'cold war' put a lot of obstacles to the implementation of the plans of St.Tikhon and Father Alexander Khotovitsky. Many years have passed since then, and many things have changed in the world: today Russia and the USA are no longer enemies, but partners. Through the prayerful intercession of St.Nicholas the Cathedral in New York has hold its ground and is embodying the implementation of the plans of its holy founders.

The present mission of the Cathedral, which is entering the second centenary of its history, is extremely important. The cathedral church of His Holiness Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia in North America and the Representation of the Moscow Patriarchate are called to bring worthy testimony about the Russian Orthodox Church by facilitating the consolidation of friendship and cooperation between the peoples of Russia and the USA. The Cathedral in New York should remain the centre of spiritual life and good deeds done with prayer for many of our compatriots. Let the new parishioners come to the Cathedral to venerate its holy shrines and attend the Divine services.

I believe that both St.Nicholas Cathedral and the Representation of the Moscow Patriarchate will serve to the holy cause of Orthodox unity in the North American continent.

On this day, which is remarkable not only for the American parishes, but for the Russian Church as a whole, I share your joy and thank you for your work undertaken for the restoration and reconstruction of St.Nicholas Patriarchal Cathedral. May your ministry be successful and salutary in the hope 'set on the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, especially of those who believe' (1 Tim 4:10).

KIRILL
Metropolitan of Smolensk and Kaliningrad
Chairman
Department for External Church Relations
Moscow Patriarchate