Metropolitan Zachariah Mar Nicholovos, conveyed the prayers, and best wishes of the clergy and faithful of the Northeast American Diocese to His Eminence Metropolitan Nicholas, the new First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia.
His Eminence was elected as the new First Hierarch by its Council of Bishops on Tuesday, September 13, 2022, succeeding Metropolitan Hilarion of Blessed Memory. Metropolitan Nicholas was consecrated to the holy episcopacy in June 2014.
Following the repose of Metropolitan Hilarion on May 17, 2022, Bishop Nicholas was appointed acting ruling bishop of the Eastern American Diocese by decree of the Synod of Bishops.