Monday
May222023

« On the 6th Sunday after Pascha, His Grace Bishop Matthew of Sourozh celebrated the Liturgy at St. Barbara's Cathedral in Edmonton, Alberta »

Date22-05-2023
On May 21, 2023, on the 6th Sunday after Pascha, about the blind man, the day of commemoration of the Apostle and Evangelist John the Theologian, His Grace Bishop Matthew of Sourozh, temporary Administrator of the Patriarchal parishes in the USA and Canada, celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the Cathedral of the Holy Great Martyr Barbara in Edmonton.
In the vestibule of the church, His Grace Vladyka was greeted with bread and salt, and flowers by the church warden Roman Lopushinsky and his wife Diana.
At the Divine Liturgy, His Grace was assisted by the Dean of the Patriarchal Parishes in the provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan, Rector of the Cathedral, Archpriest Igor Kisil, Deacon Andrey Boldyrev, and Deacon Stefan Nagi.
At the Little Entrance, in consideration of the diligent church labours, Patriarchal and hierarchal liturgical awards of the Russian Orthodox Church were conferred by Bishop Matthew to the clerics of the Patriarchal parishes in Canada: Deacon Andrey Boldyrev - the right to wear a kamilavka, and Deacon Stefan Nagi - the right to wear a double orarion.
Following the prayer behind the ambo, Vladyka Matthew performed glorification and venerated the holy relics of the Great Martyr Barbara, whose left foot is the main shrine of the Cathedral.
The Right Reverend Archpastor congratulated the clergy and parishioners of the Cathedral on the feast and addressed those present with words of spiritual edification.
In consideration of his labors for the benefit of the Holy Church and in connection with his 25th anniversary of serving as Rector of the Cathedral of the Holy Great Martyr Barbara in Edmonton, Archpriest Igor Kisil was awarded a high Patriarchal award - the Order of the Russian Orthodox Church of St. Seraphim of Sarov, III degree.  Presenting the Order, Vladyka Matthew wished Fr. Igor God's help in his further pastoral ministry caring for the Orthodox believers living in the provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan.
In response, Archpriest Igor warmly thanked Bishop Matthew for the high Patriarchal award, for the long-awaited archpastoral visit and the joy of prayerful communion between the clergy and parishioners of the Patriarchal parishes of Canada with their ruling Bishop.