On Sunday, March 13, the Administrator of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA, His Grace Bishop John of Naro-Fominsk led the Divine Liturgy on Forgiveness Sunday in St. Nicholas Cathedral in NYC. His Grace was co-served by cathedral clergy. After the reading of the Holy Gospel, Bishop John delivered a sermon on the theme of the Gospel reading for the day.

Later in the evening, His Grace Bishop John prayed in the altar during the Vespers of Forgiveness Sunday. Following the singing of the Great Prokimen, the bright vestments worn by clergy were changed to dark colors. At the end of the service, His Grace read aloud the prayer before the Begining of Great Lent. Afterwards, all were given the opprotunity to ask forgiveness of one another.