« Bishop Matthew of Sourozh led the patronal celebrations at St. Barbara's Cathedral in Edmonton »

On December 17, 2025, the feast day of the Great Martyr Barbara (306), His Grace Bishop Matthew of Sourozh, temporary Administrator of the Patriarchal Parishes in the United States and Canada, led the patronal celebrations at St. Barbara's Cathedral in Edmonton, Alberta.

At the entrance to the church, Bishop Matthew was greeted with flowers and bread and salt by the church warden, Roman Lopushinsky.

His Grace was assisted at the Divine Liturgy by Archpriest Igor Kisil, Dean of the Patriarchal Parishes in Alberta and Saskatchewan and Cathedral Rector; Archpriest Evgeny Protsenko, Rector of the Orthodox IX Parish District; Priest Alexei Suraev, Rector of the Orthodox V Parish District; Priest Viktor Kramarenko (ROCOR), Rector of the Church of the Great Martyr George the Victorious in Red Deer; Deacon Andrei Boldyrev; and Deacon Stefan Nagy.

During the Liturgy, Bishop Matthew performed the deacon's ordination of altar server Alexei Toropchan.

At the after communion verse, in recognition of his zealous church labours, Bishop Matthew granted Paul-Émile Lambotte the right to wear a cassock.

Following the prayer after the communion, His Grace the Archpastor and the clergy performed a veneration rite before the icon and holy relics of the Holy Great Martyr Barbara, whose left foot is the church's main relic.

Vladyka Matthew congratulated the cathedral's clergy and parishioners on the patronal feast and addressed those present with words of spiritual edification.

In his response, the church's Rector, Archpriest Igor Kisil, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to prayerfully share the joy of the patronal feast with his archpastor and thanked His Grace for his visit.

After the service, Bishop Matthew spoke with the cathedral's clergy and parishioners.

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