Met. Nicholas Leads Funeral for Protodeacon Nicolas Mokhoff
Clergy and faithful gather at the Synodal Cathedral in New York to honor longtime protodeacon remembered for lifelong service.
NEW YORK — On Nov. 22. 2025, the feast of St. Nectarios of Aegina, Met. Nicholas of Eastern America and New York, First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia (ROCOR), celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City. According to a release from the diocese, he concelebrated with Archpriests Serge Lukianov and Ion Arama, and Protodeacons Paul Wolkow, Eugene Kallaur, Serge Arlievsky, and Alexander Kichakov. Abp. Gabriel of Montreal and Canada and Archpriest Serafim Gan prayed in the altar.
Following the Liturgy, Met. Nicholas led the funeral service for longtime cathedral Protodeacon Nicolas Mokhoff, joined by Abp. Gabriel and numerous clergy from the Eastern and Mid-American Dioceses. The Synodal choir sang under the direction of Vadim S. Gan as parishioners from New York and beyond gathered to remember the departed protodeacon, beloved by generations of clergy and faithful.
Abp. Gabriel delivered a eulogy, recalling Protodeacon Nicolas’ lifelong dedication to the Cathedral of the Sign. “I had the opportunity to visit and give Fr. Nicolas Holy Communion,” the hierarch said. “He even spoke a little then. But when Fr. Nicolas’ condition worsened last week when I visited him, he was already unconscious, and we could only pray for him. We already understood that the Lord was calling him.”
His Eminence prays over the recently reposed protodeacon. Photo: T. Veselkina/Media Office of the Eastern American Diocese
He continued: “The 40th day of his death falls on December 25, so we ask everyone to pray for Fr. Nicolas for these 40 days… we will always remember his zealous service, his devotion to God, the Church, and the Synodal Cathedral, to which he dedicated his life.”
Abp. Gabriel also noted the connection to the repose of Met. Philaret: “He departed to the Lord in the year when we honor the fortieth anniversary of the repose of his abba, Metropolitan Philaret… Let us ask the Lord to receive Fr. Nicolas to His Heavenly mansions.”
The archbishop offered condolences to Protodeacon Nicolas’ wife Nadezhda, his children Nicholas, Michael, and Matushka Liubov Kichakov, his grandchildren, sister Marina, and extended family.
After the service, clergy and mourners traveled to Holy Dormition Convent “Novo-Diveevo” in Nanuet, N.Y., where burial was held.
"Memory Eternal to the newly reposed Protodeacon Nicolas," the release from the diocese concludes.
Previously, UOJ reported that Met. Nicholas had issued a statement on his recent trip to Washington, D.C.
