Bishop Matthew of Sourozh officiates Patronal Feast of St. Nicholas Patriarchal Cathedral in New York City »
23-05-2026 
On May 22, 2026—the feast of the Translation of the Relics of Holy Hierarch and Wonderworker Nicholas from Myra in Lycia to Bari—Bishop Matthew of Sourozh, Interim Administrator of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA & Canada, celebrated the Divine Liturgy at St. Nicholas Cathedral in New York City.
At the entrance to the church, His Grace was greeted by the teachers and students of the Sunday School.
Concelebrating with Bishop Matthew at the Liturgy was Archpriest Serafim Gan (chancellor of the ROCOR Synod of Bishops), Abbot Nicodemus (Balyasnikov; acting chancellor of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA), Archpriest Michael Kapchits (dean of the Eastern States), Archpriest Alexander Revyuk (rector of Holy Trinity OCA Church in Brooklyn, NY), Priest Mark Rashkov,(vice-chancellor of the Patriarchal Parishes), Priest Joshua Genig (dean of the Central States), Hieromonk John (Schieffler; cathedral cleric), Priest Artem Siss (cleric of Holy Dormition Convent “Novo-Diveevo” in Nanuet, NY), Priest Julian Ryabtsev (acting rector of Sts. Peter & Paul Church in Elizabeth, NJ), Protodeacon Igor Panachev and Deacon John Peters (cathedral clerics), Deacon Andrew Malyshew (cleric of St. George Church in Bayside, NY), and Deacon Rodion Zaam (cleric of Sts. Peter & Paul Church in Manchester, NH). Praying at the service also were Archpriest Alexander Golubov, and Priest Rodion Shamazov (rector of St. George Church in Bayside, NY).
The liturgical hymns were performed by the expanded hierarchal choir of the cathedral, under the direction of director K.V. Afanasyeva.
Following the Augmented Litany, Bishop Matthew offered a prayer for Holy Rus’ and also prayerfully commemorated the pious builders and founders of this holy temple, as well as all those who have served and prayed within it.
After the Great Entrance, the archpastor ordained Deacon Rodion Zaam to the priesthood to continue his ministry at Sts. Peter and Paul Church in Manchester, NH.
After Holy Communion, a short moleben was served during which His Grace offered a prayer to Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker and sprinkled the faithful with holy water.
In his sermon at the conclusion of the divine service, Bishop Matthew spoke of the profound veneration accorded to Saint Nicholas throughout the Christian world—a veneration fostered in no small measure by the event commemorated this day: the translation of his holy relics to the Italian city of Bari. The Archpastor conveyed to the assembled congregation the blessings and good wishes of His Holiness Patriarch Kyrill of Moscow and All Rus’, and also expressed his gratitude to the clergy and all the laborers of St. Nicholas Cathedral for their diligent labors for the benefit of the Holy Church, wishing them the unfailing assistance of God and the intercession of Saint and Wonderworker Nicholas.
His Grace warmly congratulated the newly ordained Priest Rodion on this most significant event in his ecclesiastical life and presented him with a service book as a gift. The Archpastor also congratulated Deacon John Peters, a cleric of the Cathedral, on the 25th anniversary of his diaconal ordination and wished him strength of spirit in his continued ministry.
Bishop Matthew congratulated all those bearing the name Nicholas in Holy Baptism on the Feast Day of their Heavenly Patron, as well as all the Cathedral parishioners and pilgrims who had arrived to venerate the Wonderworker of Myra.
The divine service concluded with the polychronion to the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church, the Hierarch, the clergy, and the faithful children of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA; to the benefactors, adorners, laborers, and choir members; and to all the parishioners of St. Nicholas Patriarchal Cathedral.
The festive fellowship continued over a fraternal meal prepared by the Cathedral Sisterhood.
Later in the day, Bishop Matthew held working meetings with the Deans of the Eastern States (Archpriest Michael Kapchits) and the Central States (Priest Joshua Genig), during which current matters regarding the life and activities of the parishes were discussed.
Mospatusa.com/Sourozh.org