On December 24, 2025, Bishop Matfei of Sourozh, the temporary Administrator of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA and Canada, visited the Patriarchal Estate in Pine Bush, New York. There, at the church dedicated to All Saints Who Shone Forth in the Russian Land, he celebrated the Divine Liturgy.
His Grace was co-served by the Acting Chancellor of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA, Hegumen Nikodim (Balyasnikov); the Head of the Chancellery, Priest Mark Rashkov; the parish rector, Priest Artemy Kulikovsky; and clergy from St. Nicholas Cathedral in New York City, Priest Antony Kurakevich and Deacon Alexei Golubov.
Before the entrance to the church, His Grace was warmly greeted with the traditional offering of bread and salt by Matushka Ekaterina Babiichuk, Matushka Olga Kulikovskaya, and their children. The liturgical hymns were performed by the parish choir under the direction of Alena Babiichuk. Parishioners and guests of the parish prayed during the Liturgy.
During the Little Entrance, for his diligent labors in beautifying the church and maintaining the entire Patriarchal Estate in a worthy manner, the parish rector, Priest Artemy Kulikovsky, was honored by His Grace with a liturgical award—the right to wear a kamilavka.
After the service, the archpastor was cordially welcomed by Fr. Artemy, who expressed gratitude on behalf of all present for the long-awaited visit and the constant care for the needs of the parish during the illness and after the repose in 2022 of the long-time rector of the church, Mitred Archpriest Nikolai Babiichuk.
Bishop Matfei addressed those gathered with a sermon and also gratefully noted the many labors of Fr. Artemy, who has proven to be a worthy successor to Archpriest Nikolai in caring for the Patriarchal Estate in Pine Bush. His Grace congratulated the rector on his well-deserved award and thanked the family members, parishioners, and all of Fr. Artemy’s helpers for their service at this holy place. Upon the rector's recommendation, Bishop Matfei presented some of the parish laborers with blessed Archpastoral Gramotas. As a memento of the visit, His Grace gifted icons of the Most Holy Theotokos to all participants of the service.
Afterward, the clergy and faithful proceeded in a cross procession to the cemetery of the Patriarchal Estate. There, in fulfillment of the long-standing desire of Archpriest Nikolai Babiichuk, a chapel in honor of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker was constructed in 2024-2025 by the efforts of Rector Priest Artemy and his helpers on the site of an abandoned crypt.
Bishop Matfei consecrated the newly constructed chapel. Following this, a memorial litia was served, during which special prayers were offered for the repose of those buried in this cemetery: the founder and first rector of the Patriarchal Estate, Archbishop Dosifei (Ivanchenko); Archpriest Nikolai Babiichuk; Archpriest Petr Krokhata; and all the Orthodox Christians who have found their final resting place here. His Grace also consecrated a new grave cross at the burial site of Archpriest Nikolai. The service concluded with the singing of Paschal hymns and the troparion "The General Resurrection."
Fellowship among the archpastor, clergy, and laity continued at a fraternal meal, lovingly prepared by the matushkas and their helpers. For all the young participants of the service, a small New Year's performance and gift distribution took place as part of the meal.
