« On 5th Sunday of Great Lent, Bishop Matthew celebrated Divine Liturgy in St. Nicholas Cathedral in New York »
08-04-2025 
On April 6, 2025, the 5th Sunday of Great Lent and the forefeast of the Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos, interim Administrator of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA, Bishop Matthew of Sourozh, celebrated Divine Liturgy in St. Nicholas Cathedral in New York.
The archpastor was co-served by cathedral rector, Archpriest Igor Vyzhanov, and the acting Chancellor of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA, Abbot Nicodemus (Balyasnikov). The diaconal rank was led by the head of the service of the bishop's protocol, Deacon Alexis Golubov. The liturgical hymns were sung by the hierarchal choir under the direction of Ksenia Afanasyeva.
At the Little Entrance, with the blessing of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill, on the occasion of the Bright Resurrection of Christ and in connection with the 20th anniversary of his priestly ordination, Bishop Matthew, awarded Archpriest Igor Vyzhanov the right to wear the jeweled cross.
After the reading of the Gospel, the bishop read the prayer for Holy Rus'.
At the end of the service, Archpriest Igor Vyzhanov warmly greeted the archpastor. In turn, Bishop Matthew addressed the congregation with a sermon and spoke about the upcoming festive services of the Annunciation and the 100th anniversary of the repose of the builder of the cathedral and enlightener of America & Canada, Saint Tikhon. As a gift to all the parishioners and guests of the cathedral, the bishop presented brochures with the new text of the akathist to Saint Tikhon, approved by His Holiness Patriarch Kyrill and the Holy Synod at their meeting on March 20. In conclusion, the archpastor thanked all those present for the joy of joint prayer, and also presented hierarchal gramotas to a number of the benefactors and laborers of the cathedral.
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