On November 5, 2024, at the spiritual and administrative center of the Antiochian Patriarchate in the United States of America, a meeting was held between the temporary administrator of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA and Canada, Bishop Matthew of Sourozh, and the head of the Antiochian Archdiocese, Metropolitan Savva.
The meeting was also attended by the Vicar General of the Antiochian Archdiocese, Archpriest Thomas Zain, Protosingel, Archpriest Joseph Samaan, Acting Secretary of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA, Hegumen Nikodim (Balyasnikov), Head of the Chancellery of the Moscow Patriarchate Parishes in the USA, Priest Mark Rashkov, and Bishop Matthew’s Personal Secretary, Nikolai Trubnikov.
During the meeting, the hierarchs discussed a wide range of issues of interaction between the clergy of the Antiochian and Moscow Patriarchates in the United States of America and Canada. Bishop Matthew acquainted Metropolitan Savva with the program of jubilee services and events in 2025, dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the death of the enlightener of America - Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia St. Tikhon.
Following an exchange of views, a preliminary agreement was reached on joint service and fellowship between the clergy and laity of the two jurisdictions in February of next year on the day of commemoration of St. Raphael of Brooklyn in the Antiochian Archdiocese Cathedral in New York.
Metropolitan Savva also invited the Administrator of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA to take part in the ceremonial transfer of the relics of Saint Raphael, which rest in the cemetery at the Antioch Village Theological Seminary in Pennsylvania.
In turn, Bishop Matthew expressed heartfelt gratitude to Metropolitan Savva and the administration of the Antiochian Seminary for their continued attention and support for students from among the clergy and laity of the Moscow Patriarchate parishes in the United States and Great Britain. To date, 14 people have received a diploma in theological education at this educational institution over the past ten years, and 8 people are currently studying with the blessing and recommendation of Bishop Matthew.
At the end of the meeting, the Administrator of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA, wishing him God's help in his archpastoral work, presented Metropolitan Savva with a panagia and a cross made by Russian masters. In turn, the head of the Antiochian Archdiocese expressed deep satisfaction with the historical fraternal relations between the two Churches in North America and, in memory of the communication that had taken place, presented Bishop Matthew with an image of the Most Holy Theotokos painted by Damascus icon painters.
Bishop Savva donated copies of the first issue of the children's Orthodox magazine published by the Antiochian Archdiocese to the libraries and Sunday schools of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA.
