On December 10, 2024, on the day of the celebration of the Most Holy Theotokos for the sake of Her miraculous Kursk-Root Icon “Sign”, the temporary Administrator of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA and Canada, Bishop Matthew of Sourozh, at the invitation of the Vicar of the Western American Diocese of the Russian Church Abroad, Bishop Theodosius of Seattle, visited St. Nicholas Cathedral in Seattle, Washington.
On behalf of the Most Reverend Rector, Bishop Matthew was cordially greeted by the Cathedral's key keeper, Archpriest Alexei Kotar. After getting acquainted with the church and venerating the cathedral's relics, Bishop Matthew, co-served by the cathedral's cleric, Deacon Rustik Kroshko, performed a prayer service in the chapel in honor of Saint John of Shanghai. The saint departed to the Lord on July 2, 1966, before the miraculous Kursk-Root Icon of the Mother of God "of the Sign" during a visit to St. Nicholas Church in Seattle. A chapel in honor of the saint was built on the site of his blessed death.
The key keeper of the church, Father Alexei Kotar, Mother Natalia Maximilianovna, the personal secretary of the bishop accompanying him on the trip, Nikolai Trubnikov, and parishioners prayed at the service.
Bishop Matthew congratulated those gathered on the day of celebration in honor of the Hodegetria of the Russian Diaspora and expressed heartfelt gratitude to Bishop Feodosiy for the opportunity to offer prayer at this holy place. The Bishop thanked Father Sacristan, Mother Natalia and Father Deacon for the warm welcome and joint prayers, presented them with memorable gifts and wished them God's help in serving the Holy Mother Church. The conversation continued over tea in the parish house.
