On Sunday, September 6, 2026, Bishop Matthew of Sourozh, Temporary Administrator of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA and Canada, as part of his archpastoral visit to the parishes of the Central deanery, visited the Church of St. John Chrysostom in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where he celebrated the Divine Liturgy.
At the entrance to the church, the bishop was warmly greeted by members of the parish council and Sunday School students. Concelebrating with His Grace at the Liturgy were the Dean of the Central States, Priest Joshua Genig; the Chancellor of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA, Priest Mark Rashkov; the rector of the parish, Priest James Anthony; and the clergy of the church, Deacons Michael Kruk and Seraphim Kracker.
During the Divine Liturgy, the archpastor ordained Deacon Seraphim to the priesthood.
At the end of the Liturgy, the rector of the church, Priest James, warmly greeted the bishop and, on behalf of the clergy and parishioners, presented him with an icon of the parish’s heavenly patron, St. John Chrysostom.
Bishop Matthew addressed the faithful with a sermon on the Gospel reading and noted that his long-awaited visit to this parish coincided with the approaching Church New Year, when we ask the Lord to bless our humble labors with His goodness.
The bishop gratefully noted the diligent pastoral labors of the rector, the best testimony to which is a church filled with parishioners and their children. Bishop Matthew wished God’s help to the newly ordained Priest Seraphim in his forthcoming pastoral labors in assisting the rector. In memory of his visit to the parish, the bishop presented an icon of St. Nilus of Stolobny, and gave the new priest a Service Book.
Fellowship between the archpastor, clergy and parishioners continued at a meal prepared by the parish sisterhood. After lunch, the bishop discussed various matters of parish life with the dean, Priest Joshua, and the rector of the parish, Priest James.
