On April 5, 2025, the day of the Feast of the Laudation of the Most Holy Theotokos, His Grace Bishop Matthew of Sourozh, Temporary Administrator of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA and Canada, celebrated the Divine Liturgy at St. Nicholas Church in Bayonne, New Jersey.
At the entrance to the church, the bishop was warmly greeted by students of the parish Sunday School and members of the Parish Council. Serving with His Grace at the Divine Liturgy were the Rector of the church and Dean of the Eastern States, Archpriest Michael Kapchits; the cleric of St. Nicholas Church, Priest Dimitry Sukhorukov; and Deacon Nikolai Arabidze. The deacon’s rank was led by the Head of the Bishop’s Protocol Office, Deacon Alexey Golubov.
At the conclusion of the Liturgy, Bishop Matthew was warmly welcomed by the Rector, Father Michael Kapchits. His Grace then addressed the faithful with a sermon and offered congratulations on the upcoming feasts of the Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos and the 100th anniversary of the repose of the Enlightener of America, the Holy Confessor Tikhon, Patriarch of Moscow.
Fellowship between the bishop, clergy, and parishioners continued during a brotherly meal.
