Archbishop Gabriel of Montreal and Canada and Bishop Matthew of Sourozh lead patronal celebrations at St. Nicholas Patriarchal Cathedral in New York

DECR Communication Service, 21/12/2025

On 19^th December 2025, commemoration day of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, Archbishop of Myra in Lycia, Archbishop Gabriel of Montreal and Canada and Bishop Matthew of Sourozh, Temporary Administrator of the Patriarchal Parishes in the United States and Canada, celebrated the Divine Liturgy in St. Nicholas Patriarchal Cathedral in New York City.

Concelebrating with the hierarchs were: Hegumen Nikodim (Balyasnikov), Acting Chancellor of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA; Priest Mark Rashkov, Head of the Chancery of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA; Priest Joshua Genig, Dean of the Central States; as well as the local clerics, namely Deacon Alexy Golubov, Protodeacon Igor Panachev and Deacon John Peters.

Liturgical hymns were performed by the Hierarchical Choir of St. Nicholas Cathedral conducted by Choirmaster K.V. Afanasyeva.

During the Liturgy, Bishop Matthew ordained Subdeacon Oleg Cruz to the diaconate.

After the Holy Communion, the arhpastors and clergy offered prayers of praise to St. Nicholas the Wonderworker in front of his icon.

At the conclusion of the divine service, Bishop Matthew extended his warm greetings to Archbishop Gabriel and the clergy, parishioners and guests of the cathedral on the occasion of its patronal feast.

“The Wonderworker of Myra in Lycia is an unexcelled model for all hierarchs of the Church of Christ. One of the worthy imitators of St. Nicholas’s selfless service for us, the clergy serving in North America, is, of course, the builder of this cathedral and a great hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church – St. Tikhon, Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus’,” Bishop Matthew said, “Throughout this passing year, we have been celebrating the centenary of his blessed repose and are now concluding a series of jubilee liturgical celebrations and events commemorating St. Tikhon in this cathedral built by him. Fulfilling the blessing of His Holiness Kirill, Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus’, we present to the Canadian Diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia this reliquary containing a particle of St. Tikhon’s holy relics. This shrine, gifted by the Primate of our Church in April of this year, visited great many Orthodox churches and monasteries, where the faithful could pray to the Heavenly patron of North America. And now we present this Patriarchal gift to you, dear Vladyka Gabriel, to be permanently kept within the Canadian Diocese.”

Archbishop Gabriel asked Bishop Matthew to convey filial gratitude for the precious gift to His Holiness Patriarch Kirill from the clergy and laity of the Canadian Diocese and congratulated the clergy and parishioners of St. Nicholas Cathedral on the patronal feast.

Many Years were sung to His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus’ and the hierarchs, clergy and all faithful children of the Russian Orthodox Church in North America. The celebrations continued over a repast prepared by the sisterhood of St. Nicholas Cathedral.

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Archbishop Gabriel of Montreal and Canada and Bishop Matthew of Sourozh lead patronal celebrations at St. Nicholas Patriarchal Cathedral in New York

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Patriarch

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