On the feast day of the Icon of the Mother of God "of the Sign," His Grace Bishop Matthew celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the monastery's metochion in Spokane, USA »
11-12-2025 
On December 10, 2025, the feast day of the Icon of the Mother of God "of the Sign," Bishop Matthew of Sourozh, temporary Administrator of the Patriarchal Parishes in the United States and Canada, celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the Church of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God, a metochion of the Monastery of the Great Martyr Demetrius of Thessaloniki in Spokane, Washington.
His Grace was assisted by the Rector of the metochion, Hieromonk Tikhon (Pashkov), Priest Dionysius Butt, and Deacon Oleg Serebryanov. Despite it being a workday, news of the bishop's visit drew a large crowd of parishioners and guests from other Orthodox parishes in the area.
During the Liturgy, Bishop Matthew ordained Seraphim Assink, a novice at the metochion, to the rank of deacon, after ordaining him first as a reader and subdeacon.
Following the service, the archpastor addressed the congregation with a sermon and wished them a blessed fasting period, which prepares us for the Nativity of Christ. His Grace expressed gratitude for the pastoral labours of the Rector and clergy of the metochion and wished God's help and success in his service to the Church of Christ to the newly ordained Deacon Seraphim.
The Archpastor's interaction with the parishioners continued over a fraternal meal, after which Vladyka inspected the progress of the parish house.
Following the completion of all the improvement work, which begun in the house last year, the church premises, currently occupied by the Sunday school and refectory, will be used to expand the church space due to the increase in parishioners in recent years.