« On the 12th Sunday after Pentecost, Bishop Matthew of Sourozh celebrated the Liturgy at St. Nicholas Cathedral in New York City. »
24-08-2026 
On Sunday, August 23, 2026, the 12th Sunday after Pentecost, the afterfeast of the Transfiguration of the Lord, the clergy and parishioners of St. Nicholas Patriarchal Cathedral in New York City prayerfully commemorated the 90th anniversary of the martyrdom of the church's founder and first rector, Protopresbyter Alexander Hotovitzky (d. August 19, 1936).
The Divine Liturgy was celebrated by Bishop Matthew of Sourozh, the cathedral's Rector and Interim Administrator of the Patriarchal Parishes in the United States and Canada. The Archpastor was assisted by acting Chancellor of the Patriarchal Parishes in the United States, Hegumen Nikodim (Balyasnikov), Dean of the Eastern States Parishes, Archpriest Mikhail Kapchits, and cathedral clergy - Protodeacon Igor Panachev and Deacon John Peters. Archpriest Alexander Golubov, Priest Anthony Kurakevich, and Hieromonk John (Schieffler) heard confessions at the service.
After receiving Holy Communion, the Archpastor, clergy, and faithful performed a hymn to the holy martyr, Protopresbyter Alexander, in front of his icon.
In his sermon at the end of the divine service, Vladyka congratulated the clergy and parishioners of the cathedral on Sunday and the ongoing days of the celebration of the Transfiguration of the Lord: “Commemorating this sacred event reminds us of the goal and essence of the Christian life: the acquisition of the grace of the Holy Spirit—grace of which the Apostles became witnesses and partakers on Mount Tabor. We learn of this from the lives of the saints who, in the words of the Apostle, ‘put off the old man with his deeds’ and ‘put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him’ (see Colossians 3:9–10). This same example is set for us by Protopresbyter Alexander Hotovitzky—honored today—who was the founder, builder, and first rector of St. Nicholas Cathedral in New York City. Throughout his virtuous life, he strove to transfigure his own soul and the lives of his flock with the uncreated Light of our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. The crowning achievement of his spiritual labors and long years of service in North America, Finland, and Russia was his martyrdom during the persecution of the Russian Church.”
Vladyka gratefully acknowledged the efforts of the cathedral's clergy, volunteers, and parishioners to preserve the memory of Father Alexander in the church he built. These efforts are evidenced, among other things, by the growth in recent years of the English-speaking parishioners who are ministered by Hieromonk John (Schieffler).
Bishop Matthew wished those present, as well as all the clergy and flock of the Patriarchal Parishes in the United States, the prayerful intercession of Hieromartyr Alexander Khotovitsky in their service to the Russian Orthodox Church.