« Patriarchal Parishes in the USA prayerfully commemorate 100th anniversary of repose of St. Tikhon, Patriarch of Moscow and all Rus’ »
26-05-2025 
On May 24, 2025, the Saturday of the Fifth Week of Pascha, the feast of the Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Cyril & Methodius, the participants of the XV Convocation of the Clergy and Laity of the Parishes of the Moscow Patriarchate in the USA, headed by the Interim Administrator of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA & Canada, Bishop Matthew of Sourozh, jointly honored the memory of the Holy Teachers of the Slavs and the 100th anniversary of the repose of St. Tikhon, Patriarch of Moscow in Three Hierarchs Church in Garfield, NJ. The reliquary containing the latter’s’ relics were brought by Bishop Matthew to the church before the beginning of the service.
At the doors of the church, the archpastor was warmly greeted by parish rector Archpriest George & Matushka Alexandra Konyev, interim Parish Council President Reader George Konyev and students of the parish school.
Bishop Matthew was concelebrated by a host of clergy from the Patriarchal Parishes in the United States, delegates from the parishes of the XV Convocation held the day prior, parishioners of the Three Saints Church, and pilgrims from nearby parishes of other Orthodox jurisdictions prayed at the service.
After the entrance prayers and vesting, Bishop Matthew tonsured readers: Donald Friedman for Sts. Peter & Paul Cathedral in Passaic, NJ; Anthony MacKay for St. Innocent Church in Redford, MI; and Nikolai Klochkov for Holy Trinity Church in Baltimore, MD.
At the Little Entrance, with the blessing of His Holiness Kyrill, Patriarch of Moscow and all Rus', for their zealous pastoral service and in connection with their anniversaries being celebrated, the archpastor bestowed the following liturgical awards: the right to serve the Liturgy with open Royal Doors until "Our Father" – to Archpriest Mark Shinn, rector of St. Andrew's Cathedral in Philadelphia, PA; the right to wear the palitsa and jeweled cross– to Priest Paul Davis, rector of St. Nicholas Church in Brookside, AL; the right to wear the jeweled cross – to Archpriest Alexei Bocharnikov, rector of St. Nicholas Church in Chester, PA; the right to wear the palitsa – to Priest Joshua Genig (dean of the Central States), Hieromonk Savvaty (Ageev; abbot of St. Demetrius Monastery in Framingham, MA), Hieromonk John (Schieffler; cleric of St. Nicholas Patriarchal Cathedral in New York City) and retired cleric, Hieromonk Stephen (Bushman).
During the Liturgy, Bishop Matthew ordained Subdeacon Seraphim Kraker, cleric of St. John Chrysostom Church in Grand Rapids, MI, to the diaconate.
The liturgical hymns were sung by a combined choir of the Patriarchal Parishes in the United States under the direction of Alla Kerko.
The sermon before Holy Communion, dedicated to the labors of St. Tikhon in North America, was delivered by Hieromonk John (Schieffler), cleric of St. Nicholas Patriarchal Cathedral in New York City.
After receiving the Christ’s Holy Mysteries, the archpastor and concelebrating clergy performed a short moleben to St. Tikhon at the reliquary containing a particle of his holy relics.
After the dismissal, Bishop Matthew and the parish guests were greeted by the rector of the church, Archpriest George Konyev. In turn, the bishop cordially congratulated those present on the day of feast of the Equal-to-the-Apostles Enlighteners of the Slavs, which falls during the days of Paschal joy, and the memory of the great hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church, the heavenly patron of America - St. Patriarch Tikhon, the 100th anniversary of whose repose our Church prayerfully honors throughout the entire year.
Bishop Matthew expressed gratitude to the Risen Lord for the opportunity to conduct the work of the XV Convocation of Clergy and Laity and share the joy of prayerful fellowship on the namesday of the Ruling Bishop of the parishes of the Moscow Patriarchate in the USA - His Holiness Patriarch Kyrill of Moscow and All Rus'. The archpastor conveyed the blessing of His Holiness to his North American flock and gratitude for their zealous service to the Holy Mother Church.
Then, Bishop Matthew, with the blessing of the primate, presented lofty awards of the Russian Orthodox Church to clergy celebrating anniversaries: the Order of St. Innocent of Moscow, 3rd degree, to Archpriest George Konyev for his 60th birthday and 30th anniversary of service at Three Saints Church; the Order of St. Seraphim of Sarov, 3rd degree, to the rector of Sts. Peter & Paul the Church in Scranton, PA, Archpriest Basil Micek for his 50th anniversary of pastoral service; the Order of St. Seraphim of Sarov, 3rd degree, to the cleric of Three Saints Church, Protodeacon Daniel Sudol in honor of his 90th birthday. In gratitude for many years of gratuitous labor as a referent of the Administrator and editor of the official website of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA, Bishop Matthew awarded the acting president of the parish council of the parish of Garfield, Reader George Konyev, with an archpastoral gramota. The archpastor also expressed special gratitude to the rector, clergy, the president and members of the parish council for the hospitality shown to the participants of the XV Convocation of Clergy and Laity, and the opportunity to hold a diocesan liturgical celebration at a high level.
After the service, a festive reception was held in the parish center dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the death of St. Tikhon and the name day of His Holiness Patriarch Kyrill. After the meal, the XV Convocation of Clergy and Laity of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA was adjourned. The Bishop once again thanked the organizing committee and the participants of the Convocation for their fruitful work.
Mospatusa.com/Sourozh.org