« Bishop Matthew celebrates Liturgy in St. Nicholas Patriarchal Cathedral in San Francisco »
24-12-2024 
On Sunday, December 22, 2024, the 26th Sunday after Pentecost and the feast of the Conception of the Most Holy Theotokos by Righteous Anna, Bishop Matthew of Sourozh, Interim Administrator of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA & Canada, celebrated Divine Liturgy in St. Nicholas Patriarchal Cathedral in San Francisco, CA.
At the doors of the church, the bishop was warmly greeted by cathedral dean, Priest Mikhail & Matushka Alla Kozyrev, and the cathedral's treasurer, V.N. Pustylnik. The archpastor concelebrated at the Liturgy by Patriarchal Parishes Chancellor, Abbot Nicodemus (Balyasnikov), Vice-Chancellor, Priest Mark Rashkov, and clerics of the Russian Church Abroad: Archpriest Vladimir Deryugin, and Protodeacon Anthony Koval. Before the service began, Bishop Matthew ordained cathedral acolyte Viktor Minakov as a reader.
At the Little Entrance, for his diligent labors for the good of the Holy Mother Church and in consideration of the restoration work completed in the cathedral, the archpastor awarded Priest Mikhail Kozyrev, his first liturgical awards - the right to wear the nabedrennik and kamilavka.
During the service, many parishioners and guests from nearby parishes of the Russian Church Abroad and Orthodox Church in America prayed and received Christ’s Holy Mysteries.
At the end of the service, Bishop Matthew addressed the concelebrating clergy and the faithful with a sermon dedicated to the Gospel reading. The bishop prayerfully wished those gathered spiritual sobriety in the remaining days of Lent, which prepares us for worthily greeting the great feast of the Nativity of Christ. The Bishop-Rector also congratulated the clergy and parishioners of the cathedral on their recent patronal feast day – the feast of Saint Nicholas of Myra.
Bishop Matthew expressed special gratitude for the many works of the dean and his assistants in beautifying the church and maintaining liturgical & parish life at a high level. The srchpastor congratulated Father Mikhail on his liturgical awards and also wished the newly ordained reader Victor God's help in his new service in the cathedral. The Bishop warmly greeted the co-serving clergy, Protodeacon Anthony and Archbishop Kyrill’s subdeacons, who assisted during the Liturgy, and the cathedral singers for their prayerful singing.
In turn, Priest Mikhail, on behalf of the parish, expressed special gratitude to Bishop Matthew for his visit and tireless attention to the life of the cathedral. With the blessing of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus', the cathedral's long-time laborer, treasurer Valentina Nikolaevna Pustylnik, was awarded by Bishop Matthew a high award of the Russian Orthodox Church - the Order of the Venerable Princess Euphrosyne of Moscow, 3rd degree. Also, at the request of the dean of the cathedral, Bishop Matthew awarded a number of parish workers and donors with hierarchal gramotas. The archpastor presented all participants in the service with icons of St. Nicholas, consecrated on his holy relics.
he service ended with the proclamation of many years to His Holiness Patriarch Kyrill, Bishop Matthew, the dean and all parishioners and donors of this holy temple, after which interaction of the archpastor, clergy and believers continued over a fraternal meal.
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