On May 21, 2025, Bishop Matthew of Sourozh, Acting Administrator of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA and Canada, held a working meeting at the Moscow Patriarchate Representation in New York with members of the organizing committee for the preparation of the Congress of Clergy and Laity, which will take place on May 23-24, 2025, at the parish center of Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral in Passaic, New Jersey.
The congress will conclude on May 24, the day of the name day of His Holiness Patriarch KIRILL of Moscow and All Rus', with a cathedral Easter service of the Liturgy in the Church of the Three Hierarchs in Garfield, New Jersey.
The acting secretary of the diocese, Hegumen Nikodim (Balyasnikov), the head of the chancery, priest Mark Rashkov, the secretary of the Episcopal Council, Archpriest John Vass, the legal adviser, Archpriest Gregory Vinsky, and the treasurer, Panagiotis Billis, took part in the work in person and via video link.
The members of the meeting examined in detail the agenda and regulations of the Congress, and also discussed various organizational issues.
