ROCOR First Hierarch Issues Nativity and New Year Message
Metropolitan Nicholas reflects on the meaning of Christ’s Incarnation, emphasizes life in the Church and the Divine Liturgy, and announces plans for the upcoming Council of Bishops in Munich.
NEW YORK — Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America and New York, First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia (ROCOR), has addressed clergy, monastics, and faithful with a pastoral message marking the feasts of the Nativity of Christ, Theophany, and the beginning of the New Year 2026. The greeting was issued from the Synodal Residence, home of the wonderworking Kursk Root Icon of the Mother of God “of the Sign.”
In his message, the Metropolitan extended festive greetings and prayerful wishes for peace, spiritual renewal, and divine assistance, encouraging the faithful to preserve the fruits of Advent, fasting, and repentance throughout the coming liturgical year and into Great Lent and Pascha.
Reflecting on the Nativity of Christ, Metropolitan Nicholas emphasized the central confession of the Orthodox faith — the Incarnation of the Son of God. Citing Scripture and the teaching of St. Athanasius the Great, he noted that through Christ’s birth of the Most Holy Theotokos, fallen humanity is reunited with God and offered renewal and deification. He stressed that the Church and the Divine Liturgy are a living continuation of the Incarnation, through which believers receive new life by participation in the Holy Mysteries.
"Therefore, I wish for everyone to live for God, remaining in the light of Divine love, and not for this world," the hierarch stated. "The Lord sanctifies our world and each of us. We hear joyful words at the Great Compline: 'And if I be trusting in Him, He shall be unto me sanctification: For God is with us' and 'The people that walk in darkness have seen a great light: For God is with us.' Let us take advantage of this greatest gift so that, uniting with God both spiritually and physically, we may be strengthened in spirit and established in faith!"
Looking ahead to the new year, Metropolitan Nicholas asked for prayerful and practical support for the upcoming Council of Bishops of ROCOR, scheduled, God willing, to take place in Munich from April 29 to May 5, 2026. He expressed hope that the Council would serve as a visible witness to episcopal unity, brotherly love, and creative pastoral inspiration.
The First Hierarch also offered words of gratitude to benefactors supporting the restoration of the Synodal Residence in New York, underscoring its historical and spiritual significance for the Russian Orthodox diaspora and its dedication to the Mother of God as Protectress.
"Upon all the servants of Christ of every rank and order, upon all of you, beloved brothers and sisters, I invoke the blessing of our Lord Jesus Christ upon your labors, cares, and well-wishes, He Who united with us through His incarnation and birth in Bethlehem," Metropolitan Nicholas concluded.
Previously, UOJ reported that Archbishop Alexei of Alaska had shared his archpastoral Nativity epistle for the faithful of his diocese.
