« Bishop Matthew meets with Primate of Antiochian Archdiocese of North America »
05-11-2024 
On November 5, 2024, at the spiritual & administrative center of the Antiochian Patriarchate in the United States of America, a meeting was held between the Interim Administrator of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA & Canada, Bishop of Sourozh, and the head of the Antiochian Archdiocese, Metropolitan Saba.
The meeting was also attended by the Vicar General of the Antiochian Archdiocese, Archpriest Thomas Zain, Protosyngellos, Archpriest Joseph Samaan, Acting Secretary of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA, Abbot Nicodemus (Balyasnikov), Head of the Chancellery of the Moscow Patriarchate Parishes in the USA, Priest Mark Rashkov, and Bishop Matthew’s Personal Secretary, Nikolai Trubnikov.
During the meeting, the hierarchs discussed a wide range of issues of interaction between the clergy of the Antiochian and Moscow Patriarchates in the United States of America & Canada. Bishop Matthew acquainted Metropolitan Saba with the program of jubilee services and events in 2025, dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the repose of the enlightener of America – St. Tikhon, Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia.
Following the exchange of opinions, a preliminary agreement was reached on joint service and communication of the clergy and laity of the two jurisdictions in February of next year on the feast of St. Raphael of Brooklyn at the Antiochian Archdiocesan Cathedral in New York City. Metropolitan Saba also invited the Administrator of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA to take part in the ceremonial transfer of the relics of St. Raphael, which rests in the cemetery at the Antiochian Village in Pennsylvania.
In turn, Bishop Matthew expressed heartfelt gratitude to Metropolitan Saba and the administration of the Antiochian House of Studies for their continued attention and support of students from among the clergy and laity of the Moscow Patriarchal Parishes in the United States and Great Britain. To date, 14 people have received a diploma in theological education at this educational institution over the past ten years, and 8 people are currently studying with the blessing and recommendation of Bishop Matthew.
At the end of the meeting, the Administrator of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA, wishing him God's help in his archpastoral work, presented Metropolitan Saba with a panagia and a cross made by Russian craftsmen. In turn, the head of the Antiochian Archdiocese expressed deep satisfaction with the historical fraternal relations between the two Churches in North America and, in memory of the communication that had taken place, presented Bishop Matthew with an icon of the Most Holy Theotokos painted by Damascus iconographers. Metropolitan Saba presented the libraries and Sunday schools of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA with copies of the first issue of the children's Orthodox magazine published by the Antiochian Archdiocese.
Mospatusa.com/Sourozh.org