« Bishop Matthew officiated Patronal Feast of St. Nicholas Patriarchal Cathedral in New York »
24-05-2025 
On May 22, 2025, the feast of the transfer of the relics of Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker from Myra in Lycia to Bari, Bishop Matthew of Sourozh, Interim Administrator of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA & Canada, celebrated the Divine Liturgy in Saint Nicholas Patriarchal Cathedral in New York City.
The Bishop was assisted by a host of clergy from the parishes of the Moscow Patriarchate in the USA and the Russian Church Abroad: Archpriest Igor Vyzhanov (cathedral rector), Archpriest Alexandre Antchoutine (Dean of New York City of the Eastern American Diocese), Archpriest Vasily Zelenyuk (rector of the Church of the Icon of the Mother of God "Unexpected Joy" on Staten Island), Archpriest Andrei Kovalev (head of the Pilgrimage Service, rector of St. Gregory the Theologian Church in Tampa, FL), Priest Rodion Shamazov (rector of St. George Church in Bayside, NY), Priest Mark Rashkov, (head of the chancery of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA, rector of St. John the Baptist Church in Little Falls, NJ) Priest Artem Siss (cleric of Holy Dormition Convent “Novo-Diveevo” in Nanuet, NY). The deacons were led by the head of Bishop’s Protocol service, Deacon Alexis Golubov.
The liturgical hymns were sung by the combined choir of St. Nicholas Cathedral and the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA under the direction of Alla Kerko.
Before the beginning of the Liturgy, Bishop Matthew tonsured altar servers of St. Gregory Church: Siluan Liriano & Dismas Ramirez as readers.
At the Little Entrance, with the blessing of His Holiness Patriarch Kyrill of Moscow and All Rus', on the feast of the Bright Resurrection of Christ and as a blessing for diligent work for the good of the Russian Orthodox Church, the bishop presented liturgical awards: Archpriest Andrei Kovalev was awarded the right to wear the jeweled cross and Priest Mark Rashkov was awarded the right to wear the palitsa.
During the liturgy, Bishop Matthew ordained Subdeacon Andrei Malyshew (starosta of St. George Church in Bayside) to the holy diaconate.
After Holy Communion, the archpastor and the concelebrating clergy served a short moleben to St. Nicholas before the parish icon containing a particle of his holy relics.
At the end of the service, Archpriest Igor Vyzhanov greeted the bishop. Bishop Matthew cordially congratulated the rector, clergy and parishioners of the cathedral on the patronal feast day, and thanked the guest clergy and believers, who honored the day of memory of the beloved saint in the cathedral of New York with their presence and prayers.
The festive fellowship continued over a meal prepared by the cathedral sisterhood under the leadership of Matushka Alla Vyzhanova.
Mospatusa.com/Sourozh.org