The main Orthodox feast—the “Feast of Feasts and Triumph of Triumphs,” the Resurrection of Christ—has arrived. At the Holy Dormition Convent Novo-Diveevo in New York, this greatest of holidays is celebrated with particular solemnity. However, there is a special tradition that follows Easter. On the Tuesday of the second week after Pascha, Orthodox Christians celebrate Radonitsa—a special day for the commemoration of the departed. Since many are unable to visit the church and cemetery on a weekday, a unique tradition has flourished here for decades.

For this reason, the monastery marks this occasion on the first Sunday after Easter, known as Krasnaya Gorka. Parishioners often refer to this day as “Memorial Sunday.” Hundreds of people travel here from neighboring states to take part. Typically, the day features a solemn Divine Liturgy followed by a Procession of the Cross and a general Panikhida (memorial service) at the cemetery.

Due to inclement weather today, the Procession was cancelled, and the general Panikhida was held inside the church. The service was led by the First Hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America and New York. Following the main service, dozens of clergy members who travel here specifically for this day performed individual memorial services at the graves of loved ones at the request of the faithful. Year after year, one can witness this solemn and poignant tradition.

Local authorities also provided essential support. The police cordoned off the area surrounding the monastery, arranged for additional parking, and provided transportation for the elderly and infirm from the parking lots to the cemetery grounds.

Neighboring parishes also took an active part in the event. Stalls were set up in the central area of the cemetery, where visitors could purchase homemade food, pirozhki, kulichi (Easter bread), and various Paschal souvenirs.

Despite the heavy rain on Sunday, April 19, this annual large-scale commemoration of “those departed here and all Orthodox Christians everywhere” remained a deeply moving and crowded event.