NEW YORK: November 25, 2025
Metropolitan Nicholas officiates Funeral for Protodeacon Nicolas Mokhoff in Synodal Cathedral

On Saturday, November 22, the feast of the Holy Hierarch Nectarios of Aegina, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York celebrated Divine Liturgy in the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign in New York City, co-served by: Archpriests Serge Lukianov (dean of New Jersey) and Ion Arama (rector of Holy Annunciation Church in Flushing, NY), and Protodeacons Paul Wolkow and Eugene Kallaur (clerics of St. Seraphim Memorial Church in Sea Cliff, NY), Serge Arlievsky (cathedral cleric), and Alexander Kichakov (cleric of the Mid-American Diocese). Praying in the altar were Archbishop Gabriel of Montreal & Canada and Archpriest Serafim Gan (chancellor of the Synod of Bishops).

Following Liturgy, His Eminence led the funeral service for longtime cathedral Protodeacon Nicolas Mokhoff, co-served by Archbishop Gabriel. Numerous clergy from the Eastern American and Mid-American Dioceses joined the hierarchs.

The Synodal choir sang under the direction of conductor Vadim S. Gan.

Parishioners from churches in New York City and surrounding areas gathered to honor Fr. Nicolas’ memory, as someone well-known and beloved by generations of clergy and faithful.

At the end of the funeral service, Archbishop Gabriel addressed those present with a eulogy about the departed, in which he noted, in particular, that Fr. Nicolas dedicated his entire life to the Cathedral of the Sign.

"I had the opportunity to visit and give Fr. Nicolas Holy Communion," said Archbishop Gabriel. "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. And, indeed, the Lord called him last Sunday, and the 40th day of his death falls on December 25, so we ask everyone to pray for Fr. Nicolas for these forty days. And not only these forty days, but also in the future, we will always remember his zealous service, his devotion to God, the Church, and the Synodal Cathedral, to which he dedicated his life.

"He departed to the Lord in the year when we honor the fortieth anniversary of the repose of his abba, Metropolitan Philaret. Yesterday was the fortieth anniversary of his death. Let us ask the Lord to receive Fr. Nicolas to His Heavenly mansions."

Archbishop Gabriel expressed his condolences to Fr. Nicolas’ spouse Nadezhda, his children Nicholas, Michael, and Matushka Liubov Kichakov, his grandchildren, his sister Marina, and all his relatives.

After bidding farewell to Fr. Nicolas, the clergy, relatives, and faithful traveled to the cemetery at Holy Dormition Convent "Novo-Diveevo" in Nanuet, NY, where the burial was held.

Memory Eternal to the newly reposed Protodeacon Nicolas!

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