« Clergy of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA Exchange Paschal Greetings with their Archpastor »
17-05-2026 
On Saturday, May 16, 2026—the fifth Saturday after Pascha—a joint Paschal divine service was served in St. Michael Church in Philadelphia, PA officiated by the Interim Administrator of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA and Canada, Bishop Matthew of Sourozh.
During the Divine Liturgy, the archpastor was concelebrated by a host of clergy from the parishes of the Moscow Patriarchate in the USA: Abbot Nicodemus (Balyasnikov; acting chancellor), Archpriest Michael Kapchits (dean of the Eastern States), Archpriest John Vass (dean of the Atlantic States), Priest Joshua Genig (dean of the Central States), parish rector, Archpriest Gregory Winsky, Priest Mark Rashkov (vice-chancellor of the Patriarchal Parishes) and various rectors and clerics of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA. The diaconal rank was led by Deacon Alexey Golubov, head of the hierarchal protocol.
The liturgical hymns were sung by a combined choir comprising members from St. Michael Church, St. Andrew Cathedral in Philadelphia, and St. Nicholas Church in Bayonne, NJ.
Numerous parishioners from the Moscow Patriarchate parishes in the USA were present and prayed during the service.
Following Holy Communion, the clergy and laity—led by Bishop Matthew—processed around the church, singing Paschal hymns. At the conclusion of the divine service, the parish rector, Archpriest Gregory Vinsky—on behalf of the parish committee and parishioners—thanked the hierarch for the honor of celebrating the festive service at the St. Michael Church. As a memento of his visit to the parish, he presented His Grace with an icon of the Archangel Michael and a copy of the book “Saint Tikhon: The People's Patriarch” by Professor Scott Kenworthy—a work which the author had presented in this very church during a conference dedicated to the centenary of the Saint's repose.
Bishop Matthew addressed the congregation with a homily dedicated to the Bright Resurrection of Christ, and also expressed his profound gratitude to the rector and the entire parish for the excellent organization of the service. Acceding to the humble request of the rector and parishioners, Bishop Matthew presented St. Michael Church with an icon containing a relic of the heavenly patron of North America—Saint Tikhon, Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus'—for the veneration of the faithful.
The Archpastor thanked all the clergy and laity who had gathered to participate in the Liturgy, conveying to them the blessings and good wishes of His Holiness, Patriarch Kyrill of Moscow and All Rus'.
The festivities concluded with the proclamation of the polychronion for the primate, Bishop Matthew, the clergy, and the faithful children of the Russian Orthodox Church in North America.
Fellowship continued over a fraternal meal prepared by the sisterhood, led by Matushka Diana Winsky, during which the clergy were able to discuss various aspects of parish life with their archpastor. To conclude the visit, Bishop Matthew—accompanied by Archpriest Gregory and Matushka Diana—visited the parish center and Sunday school, where projects proposed by the rector for the development of parish life were discussed.
Photos: Priest Nicholas DeGraaff
Mospatusa.com/Sourozh.org