« Hierarchal Divine Liturgy in St. George Church, New York, USA »
10-11-2024 
On Saturday, November 9, the feast of Martyr Nestor of Thessalonica and Nestor the Chronicler, Interim Administrator of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA Bishop Matthew of Sourozh visited St. George Church in Bayside, NY where he celebrated Divine Liturgy.
The hierarch was concelebrated by Archpriest Mikhail Kapchits (dean of the Eastern States), Abbot Nicodemus (Balyasnikov; interim chancellor of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA,) Priest Rodion Shamazov (parish rector), Priest Julian Ryabtsev (interim rector of Sts. Peter & Paul Church in Elizabeth, NJ), Deacon Alexis Golubov (head of the Bishops' Protocol Service) and Deacon John Peters (cleric of St. Nicholas Patriarchal Cathedral in New York City).
Before the beginning of the Liturgy, the Bishop ordained parish council president and student of Holy Trinity Seminary in Jordanville, Andrei Malyshev, as a reader and subdeacon. The liturgical hymns were sung by choristers of the hierarchal choir of St. Nicholas Cathedral in New York.
At the Little Entrance, with the blessing of His Holiness Patriarch Kyrill, for his zealous many years of service in holy orders, Priest Rodion was awarded by His Grace a lofty liturgical award - the right to wear the palitsa.
During the liturgy, prayers were offered for the repose of newly-departed Archbishop Peter (Loukianoff) who reposed a day earlier.
At the end of the service, Bishop Matthew was warmly greeted by the rector of the church, Priest Rodion Shamazov. In turn, the bishop addressed the concelebrating clergy, parishioners and guests of the church with a sermon. The archpastor also noted with gratitude the positive changes in the life of the parish during the period of rectorship of Fr. Rodion, wishing him and the parish activists God's help in maintaining the church and its life at an honorable level.
In recognition of their work for the good of the Church, at the request of the rector, Bishop Matthew awarded a number of parish laborers with hierarchal gramotas, and thanked all those gathered for their joint prayer and assistance to St. George's Church.
Interaction with the clergy and parishioners continued over a fraternal meal, after which Bishop Matthew discussed with the rector and the president of the parish council the pressing issues of parish life and plans for upcoming work on the improvement of the church and the adjacent territory.
Mospatusa.com/Sourozh.org