On December 19, 2025, the feast day of Saint Nicholas, Archbishop of Myra in Lycia, the Wonderworker, the festal Divine Liturgy at St. Nicholas Patriarchal Cathedral in New York City was celebrated by Archbishop Gabriel of Montreal and Canada and Bishop Matthew of Sourozh, the temporary Administrator of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA and Canada.
Concelebrating with the hierarchs were the Acting Chancellor of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA, Hegumen Nikodim (Balyasnikov); the Head of the Chancellery, Priest Mark Rashkov; the Dean of the Central States, Priest Joshua Gening; and cathedral clergy: the Head of the Bishop's Protocol Service, Deacon Alexei Golubov; Protodeacon Igor Panachev; and Deacon John Peters. The Sacrament of Confession for parishioners and guests was administered by the rector of St. George's Church in Bayside, New York, Priest Rodion Shamazov, and a cathedral cleric, Hieromonk John (Shefler).
The liturgical hymns were performed by the full complement of the cathedral's bishop's choir under the direction of choir director Ksenia Vadimovna Afanasieva.
During the reading of the Hours, Bishop Matthew ordained as subdeacons the reader from the Church of St. Innocent of Irkutsk in Redford, Michigan, Anthony McCain, and the reader from St. Andrew's Cathedral in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Oleg Cruz. During the Liturgy, His Grace Bishop Matthew ordained Subdeacon Oleg to the diaconate.
After the communion of the Holy Mysteries of Christ, the archpastors and the concelebrating clergy performed a service of glorification before the cathedral's revered icon of Saint Nicholas.
At the conclusion of the service, Bishop Matthew cordially greeted Archbishop Gabriel, the clergy, parishioners, and guests of the cathedral on the feast day of the Heavenly Patron of the cathedral of the Moscow Patriarchate's parishes in the USA. "The image of the Wonderworker of Myra is an unsurpassed example for all hierarchs of Christ's Church. One of the worthy imitators of Saint Nicholas's sacrificial service for us, the clergy serving in North America, is certainly the builder of this cathedral and the great hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church—Saint Tikhon, Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, the centennial of whose repose we have commemorated throughout the past year," said Bishop Matthew in particular. "We are concluding the series of jubilee services and events dedicated to Saint Tikhon in the cathedral built by him and, fulfilling the blessing of His Holiness, Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia, we present as a gift to the Canadian Diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia an ark containing a portion of the holy relics of Saint Tikhon. This sacred item, entrusted by the Primate of our Church in April of this year, has visited many Orthodox churches and monasteries, where the faithful had the opportunity to pray to the Heavenly Patron of North America. Today, we entrust this Patriarchal gift to you, dear Vladyka Gabriel, for permanent residence within the Canadian Diocese."
In his response, Archbishop Gabriel asked that filial gratitude be conveyed to His Holiness Patriarch Kirill from the clergy and laity of the Canadian Diocese for the priceless gift. He also congratulated Bishop Matthew, the clergy, and the parishioners of St. Nicholas Cathedral on their patronal feast.
The service concluded with the proclamation of Many Years to His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia, the hierarchs, the clergy, and all faithful children of the Russian Orthodox Church in North America. Festive fellowship continued at a fraternal meal prepared by the sisterhood of St. Nicholas Cathedral.
