« On the Feast of the Kursk-Root Icon of the Mother of God "The Sign", Bishop Matthew celebrated a moleben in the Chapel of St. John of Shanghai in Seattle »

On December 10, 2024, on the day of the feast of the Most Holy Mother of God for the sake of Her miraculous Kursk-Root Icon "The Sign", Bishop Matthew of Sourozh, Temporary Administrator of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA and Canada, visited St. Nicholas Cathedral in Seattle, Washington, at the invitation of Bishop Theodosius of Seattle, Vicar of the Western American Diocese of the Russian Church Abroad.

On behalf of the Right Reverend Rector, Bishop Matthew was cordially greeted by the sacristan of the cathedral, Archpriest Alexei Kotar. After getting acquainted with the church and venerating the relics kept in the cathedral, Bishop Matthew, assisted by the cleric of the cathedral, Deacon Rustik Kroshko, celebrated a moleben in the chapel in honour of St. John of Shanghai. The Saint departed to the Lord on July 2, 1966, in front of the miraculous Kursk-Root Icon of the Mother of God "The Sign" during a visit to St. Nicholas Church in Seattle. A chapel in honour of the Saint was built on the site of his blessed repose.

The sacristan of the church, Fr. Alexei Kotar, Matushka Natalia Maksimilianovna, personal secretary of Bishop Matthew Nikolay Trubnikov, who accompanied him on the trip, and parishioners prayed at the service.

Bishop Matthew congratulated those gathered on the day of the celebration in honour of the Hodegetria of the Russian Diaspora and expressed heartfelt gratitude to Bishop Theodosius for the opportunity to offer prayer at this holy place. Vladyka thanked the sacristan, Matushka Natalia, and the deacon for the warm welcome and joint prayers, presented them with memorable gifts, and wished them God's help in serving the Holy Mother Church. The conversation continued over tea in the parish house.

Photo gallery