Nativity of Christ in Miami: The Night Liturgy Was Led by the Vicar

In the night from January 6 to 7, on the Feast of the Nativity of Christ, the main Christmas service was celebrated at the Cathedral of Saint Matrona of Moscow in Miami. As is traditional in the Slavic Orthodox tradition, this service takes place during the night hours.

Before the Divine Liturgy, an All-Night Vigil and a Procession of the Cross around the cathedral were held.

The Divine Liturgy was presided over by the Vicar of the Slavic Orthodox Vicariate of America and rector of the cathedral, Archimandrite Alexander (Belya), Bishop-elect of Nicopolis. He was assisted by Protopresbyter Maxim Pliskov.

The service was marked by special solemnity and deep spiritual peace. The prayer and the moving singing of the choir filled the church with Christmas joy. During the service, believers of various nationalities prayed and received Holy Communion of the Body and Blood of Christ, which became a living testimony to the unity of the Church of Christ.

At the conclusion of the Liturgy, the Vicar’s Christmas Address was read aloud. In his address, Archimandrite Alexander congratulated everyone on the great feast, thanked the parishioners for their common prayer and care for the church, and also shared plans for completing the iconostasis and for the upcoming roof repair.

The second Divine Liturgy on the morning of January 7 was celebrated by Priest Ivan Zeikan.