On the afternoon of Sunday, May 24, 2026, while visiting the parishes of the Atlantic States deanery, Bishop Matthew of Sourozh, Temporary Administrator of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA and Canada, visited the Church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.
The bishop was warmly welcomed by the rector of the parish, Archpriest Michael Lepa, and the parishioners. With the rector and accompanying clergy, Bishop Matthew celebrated a moleben to St. Nicholas, whose feast had been celebrated the day before.
The archpastor cordially congratulated Archpriest Michael and the parishioners on their recent patronal feast and on the continuing celebration of the Ascension of the Lord. His Grace expressed particular gratitude for maintaining the church and parish life at a proper level, especially emphasizing the significance of this place, inseparably linked with the ministry of the holy and righteous Priest Alexis Toth.
The bishop presented the parish library with Professor Scott Kenworthy’s book “The People’s Patriarch” on the life and podvig of St. Tikhon the Confessor, Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus’. Bishop Matthew gave all present small icons of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker.
Fellowship between the archpastor, clergy and parishioners continued over tea, during which various matters of parish life were discussed.
