On May 17, 2026, the 6th Sunday of Pascha, of the Blind Man, Bishop Matthew of Sourozh, Temporary Administrator of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA and Canada, celebrated the Divine Liturgy at Holy Trinity Church in Baltimore, Maryland.
Concelebrating with the archpastor were the rector of the church and Dean of the Atlantic States parishes, Archpriest John Vass; the acting Chancellor, Hegumen Nikodim (Balyasnikov); the head of the chancery, Priest Mark Rashkov; and the head of the hierarchical protocol service, Deacon Alexis Golubov. The liturgical hymns were sung by the Holy Trinity Church choir under the direction of choir director Andrei Burbelo.
After Holy Communion, Bishop Matthew blessed the newly painted wall icon of the Most Holy Theotokos “The Life-Giving Spring,” after which a Paschal procession was held around the church.
After a sermon on the Gospel reading of the day, the bishop warmly congratulated the rector of the church, Archpriest John, on the 25th anniversary of his priestly ministry. On this occasion, at the bishop’s request, His Holiness KIRILL, Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus’, awarded Fr. John the Order of St. Seraphim of Sarov, 3rd class. As a blessing for his many years of diligent labor both as rector and as dean, Bishop Matthew presented Archpriest John with a commemorative pectoral cross.
The archpastor also congratulated the parishioners on the continuing days of Paschal joy and, at the rector’s recommendation, awarded a number of the church’s workers and benefactors hierarchical certificates of blessing. The bishop gave all present small icons of the Most Holy Theotokos.
Fellowship of the clergy and parishioners with Bishop Matthew continued at a meal prepared by the parish sisterhood.
