« His Grace Bishop Matthew of Sourozh headed the patronal celebration in the diocesan community of St. Tikhon, Patriarch of All Russia, in Castlebar, Ireland »

On November 18, 2023, on the day of remembrance of St. Tikhon, Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia (election to the Patriarchal throne in 1917), His Grace Bishop Matthew of Sourozh headed the patronal celebration in the diocesan community of St. Tikhon in Castlebar, Republic of Ireland.

During the Divine Liturgy, His Grace was assisted by the Secretary of the Sourozh diocese, Archpriest Dimitry Nedostupenko, Rector of the community, Priest Ioann Kazadojev, clergy of St.Peter and St.Paul Church in Dublin, Deacon Sergiy Starovoytov and Deacon Ioann Chernelevsky.

Liturgical hymns were performed by the chamber choir of St Peter and St. Paul Church in Dublin under the direction of Tamara Butkovskaya.

At the small entrance, in recognition of his diligent pastoral efforts, Bishop Matthew awarded Rector of the community, Priest Ioann Kazadojev, with a liturgical and hierarchical award of the Russian Orthodox Church - the right to wear a golden pectoral cross.

Following the prayer behind the ambo, Right Reverend Vladyka and the concelebrating clergy performed prayerful glorification in front of the the icon of St. Tikhon, after which Father Ioann turned to Vladyka Matthew with words of gratitude and, on behalf of the parishioners, expressed gratitude for the visit and for the joy of joint prayer with their Archpastor.

In turn, Vladyka Matthew congratulated the Rector and parishioners on the patronal celebration, wished the community God's help in developing and strengthening the parish life, and, in memory of his visit, donated an icon of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker.

For his diligent church work, A.S. Kuznetsov, altar helper of the church, was awarded a bishop's blessed letter.

Next, the clergy and parishioners took part in a common festive meal.

On the same day, Bishop Matthew of Sourozh departed for Dublin.

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