« Bishop Matthew of Sourozh headed the work of the Episcopal Council of Patriarchal Parishes in the USA »

On December 9, 2023, while on an archpastoral visit to Canada, His Grace Bishop Matthew of Sourozh headed the work of the Episcopal Council of Patriarchal Parishes in the USA.

The meeting took place remotely using remote communication tools.

At the beginning of the meeting, His Grace announced new personnel appointments and introduced the to the members of the Episcopal Council acting Chancellor of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA, Hegumen Nikodim (Balyasnikov) and Secretary of the Episcopal Council, Archpriest John Vass.  Bishop Matthew wished the newly appointed clergy God's help in their administrative work and expressed gratitude to Archpriest Georgy Konev and Archpriest Igor Vyzhanov for their earlier efforts in the position of chancellor;  Archpriest Emil Minkovich was noted for his great personal contribution and exemplary performance of duties in the position of Secretary of the Episcopal Council, which Father Emil has held for the last 40 years.

The participants of the meeting honoured the memory of those who have reposed in the Lord since the last meeting of the clergy council of the Patriarchal parishes in the United States - Rector of the Church of the Exaltation of the Cross in Hackett-Stown, Archpriest John Kassatkin, and Rector of the Church in honour of All Saints of the Russian Land of the Patriarchal Estate in Pine Bush, Archpriest Nicholas  Babiychuk.

Vice-Chancellor Rev. Mark Rashkov made a report on the work of the office and on significant events in diocesan life over the past two years.  The financial report was presented by Treasurer Billis Panagiotis.  Assistant to the Administrator of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA for legal issues, priest Gregory Vinsky, reported on the resolution of current legal issues in the Patriarchal parishes.

Following the discussion of the presented reports, Bishop Matthew gave several instructions to the council members, who will present the results of their work at the next meeting.

Concluding the meeting, the Archpastor expressed gratitude to the participants and to all the clergy, presidents and members of parish committees, volunteers and parishioners of churches of the Moscow Patriarchate in the USA for their hard work, maintaining the unity and fidelity of the Russian Orthodox Church in difficult times.

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