« Bishop Matthew of Sourozh headed the patronal feast at the Church of the Apostle James, near Mandera »

On May 13, 2026, the day of the leave-taking of the feast of Mid-Pentecost, His Grace Bishop Matthew of Sourozh, temporary Administrator of the Patriarchal Parishes in the United States and Canada, headed patronal celebration and celebrated Divine Liturgy at the Church of the Apostle James, near Mandera, Alberta. 

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

Before the Liturgy, His Grace tonsured Leon Unland a reader and ordained Mark LeBlanc a subdeacon. 

His Grace was assisted at the Divine Liturgy by Archpriest Igor Kisil, Dean of the Patriarchal Parishes in Alberta and Saskatchewan; Archpriest Evgeny Protsenko, Rector of the Orthodox IX Parish District; Priest Alexei Suraev, Rector of the church and Orthodox V Parish District; Deacon Andrei Boldyrev; Deacon Stefan Nagy; and Deacon Alexander Toropchan. 

The parish choir, directed by Andrea Zacharuk, performed the liturgical hymns.

Following the divine service, the Archpastor addressed the clergy and parishioners with a sermon and spiritual edification. 

Then all present shared a communal meal, during which they had the opportunity to socialise and discuss matters of church and parish life. 

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