« On Eve of Apodosis of Pascha, Bishop Matthew serves Matins in St. Nicholas Patriarchal Cathedral »
23-05-2026 
On May 19, 2026—the eve of the Apodosis of the Feast of the Glorious Resurrection of Christ—Bishop Matthew of Sourozh, Interim Administrator of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA and Canada, officiated matins in St. Nicholas Patriarchal Cathedral in New York City, co-served by cathedral clergy.
Parishioners attended the service in prayer, including members of the cathedral’s youth organization who had gathered for their traditional Tuesday meeting.
At the conclusion of the service, His Grace Bishop Matthew addressed the congregation with a sermon, expressing his joy at sharing in prayerful fellowship with his New York parish during these final days of Pascha.
Abbot Nicodemus (Balyasnikov) read aloud a congratulatory message from His Holiness Patriarch Kyrill of Moscow and All Rus' on the occasion of Bishop Matthew’s 55th birthday, which had been celebrated the previous day. On behalf of the cathedral clergy and parishioners, Father Nicodemus warmly congratulated the archpastor on this significant milestone and presented him with a commemorative gift. On behalf of the Orthodox youth organization, Sunday School teacher Marina Ivannikova offered her congratulations to Bishop Matthew.
His Grace sincerely thanked the clergy, cathedral staff, and parishioners for their kind well-wishes and for their assistance in his ministry in the USA.
Mospatusa.com/Sourozh.org