“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you”(John 14:27).

Having gathered in an expanded session of the Synod of Bishops as we approach the feast day of the Synodal Cathedral of Our Lady “of the Sign” in New York City, we, the bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, warmly greet the clergymen and God-loving flock with the all-diaspora celebration of the Kursk-Root Icon of the Mother of God "of the Sign", the “Protectress” of the Russian diaspora.

We are approaching the centennial of the founding of the Russian Church Abroad, which continues to minister to its flock, scattered like Divine kernels of wheat throughout the world. Over the course of that time, the work of its Councils, the sessions of its Synod of Bishops, important ecclesiastical-social gatherings and various Church celebrations have all taken place under the auspices of the Kursk-Root Icon. This miracle-working image has accompanied Russian refugees fleeing cruel persecutors who dared to desecrate or destroy the holy sites of our Fatherland, murder archpastors, pastors and a multitude of believers, including the Royal Passion-bearers. The hundredth anniversary of the martyrdom of the latter was prayerfully marked in all the dioceses of our Church this year.

On November 24, 2018, members of the church school and parish of Holy Ascension Church undertook an annual pilgrimage to Saint Herman of Alaska Monastery in Platina, California.

Hieromonk Paisius presided of the Divine Liturgy at which many of our parishioners received Holy Communion. Our Sisterhood donated the meal for some 70 monastics and pilgrims. Our pilgrims were fortified in body by the meal and edified spiritually by the reading at the time from the Synaxarion. Abbot Damascene heartily congratulated two brothers of the monastery with their Names Day, stavrophor monk Selathiel and novice Michael.

On November 11, 2018, Anatoly and Nonna Plasichuk participated in the Sacrament of Matrimony. Archpriest Paul Volmensky performed the ceremony. His Grace IRENEI Bishop of Richmond and Western Europe heartily congratulated the newly-weds at the end. 

On November 10th, 2018, the miraculous Iveron-Hawaiin Myrrh-streaming Icon visited Holy Ascension Church for All-night Vigil. The holy icon streamed myrrh in abundance. After the Divine Servces, His Grace IRENEI Bishop of Richmond and Western Europe spoke about the holy icon and opened the case for all to see the miracle more closely. 

On Saturday October 20, 2018, the Cossack Cadet School in Honor of the "Don" Icon of the Mother of God and the martial arts school Combat Karate came together for the "Pokrov" Cossack Games held at Holy Ascension Church.