ROCOR Hierarchs Celebrate Liturgy Beside Cross Made From World Trade Center Steel

NEW YORK — Metr. Nicholas of Eastern America and New York, First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia (ROCOR), and Bp. Theodosius of Manhattan concelebrated the Divine Liturgy at the Synodal Headquarters on September 11, 2026, marking the Feast of the Beheading of St. John the Forerunner and the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

The service was celebrated in St. Sergius Chapel, with Archpriest Andrei Sommer, dean of the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign and vice president of the Synodal Youth Department, also concelebrating. The feast and anniversary brought together the hierarchs for prayer at the ROCOR headquarters in New York City.

A cross made from steel taken from the first tower of the World Trade Center was present during the service. The cross was donated to the parish community of the cathedral and served as a visible reminder of the September 11, 2001 attacks.

At the conclusion of the Liturgy, Metr. Nicholas expressed hope that the cross would strengthen the faith of Orthodox Christians in New York City, bring healing, and offer comfort to those affected by the terrorist attacks.

Metr. Nicholas also reflected on the Christian vocation to create rather than destroy. He said that human beings are called to participate in the divine life of the Creator and thereby partake in God’s beauty and holiness.

“May the Lord help us in this,” the Metropolitan said in concluding his remarks.

Previously, the UOJ reported that Metr. Nicholas mourned Monk Varsonofy in a message to Metr. Arseny.