On Saturday, May 27, 2023, at Holy Protection Church in Ottawa of the Canadian Diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, Bishop Matthew of Sourozh, Temporary Administrator of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA and Canada, celebrated the Divine Liturgy.
Concelebrating with the bishop were the rector of the church, Priest Alexis Pyavka; the Vice-Chancellor of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA, Priest Mark Rashkov; the Dean of the Central States, Priest Joshua Genig; and clergy of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA and Canada.
During the reading of the Hours, the archpastor tonsured as subdeacons David Watkins and Seraphim Kracker, novices of St. John Chrysostom Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
At the Little Entrance, with the blessing of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus’, Bishop Matthew awarded the rector of St. John Chrysostom Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Priest James Anthony, the right to wear the palitsa, and the cleric of that church, Deacon Michael Cook, the right to wear the double orarion. The same award for diligent service was given to the cleric of Three Holy Hierarchs Church in Garfield, New Jersey, Deacon Paul Rudenko.
At the end of the service, Bishop Matthew and the clergy from the USA were greeted by the rector of Holy Protection Church, Priest Alexis Pyavka.
In his address, Bishop Matthew expressed sincere gratitude to Archbishop Gabriel of Montreal and Canada of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, who gave the clergy of the Patriarchal Parishes from the USA and Canada the opportunity to meet with their bishop and celebrate a service in this beautiful church. The bishop also warmly greeted the rector, clergy and choir of Holy Protection Church and presented them with a book about the Patriarchal Parishes in Canada and incense.
Bishop Matthew also presented the Dean of the Central States, Priest Joshua Genig, and Hierodeacon Seraphim with “Patriarchal Gratitude” medals, awarded to them for their active service to others during the coronavirus pandemic.