His Grace Bishop Matthew of Sourozh, Acting Administrator of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA and Canada, arrived in Edmonton

On December 12, 2024, His Grace Bishop Matthew of Sourozh, Acting Administrator of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA and Canada, arrived in Edmonton, Canada, the capital of the province of Alberta.

From Edmonton International Airport, His Grace headed to St. Barbara’s Cathedral, located in the city’s geographic center.

At the church, Bishop Matthew was greeted with a bouquet of flowers by the Rector of the Cathedral, Dean of the Patriarchal Parishes in the provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan, Archpriest Igor Kisil, Rector of the Orthodox IX parish district, Archpriest Evgeny Protsenko, and church warden Roman Lopushinsky.

The Archpastor served a short moleben at the relics of the Holy Great Martyr Barbara (the left foot of the Saint is kept in the church) and inspected the Cathedral.

Afterwards, a working meeting with the clergy was held, where current issues of church-parish life in the Patriarchal parishes in Canada and preparations of the Cathedral for the upcoming patronal feast were discussed.

Bishop Matthew is accompanied on his trip by his personal secretary N.V. Trubnikov.

On the day of remembrance of the Holy Apostle Andrew the First-Called, Bishop Matthew of Sourozh celebrated the Liturgy at St. Barbara’s Cathedral in Edmonton, Canada

On December 13, 2024, on the day of remembrance of the Holy Apostle Andrew the First-Called, His Grace Bishop Matthew of Sourozh celebrated the Divine Liturgy at St. Barbara’s Cathedral in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

His Grace was assisted by Dean of the Patriarchal Parishes in the Provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan, Rector of the Cathedral Archpriest Igor Kisil, Rector of the Orthodox IX Parish District Archpriest Evgeny Protsenko, Rector of the Church of the Great Martyr St. George the Victorious in Red Deer, Alberta, Priest Victor Kramarenko (ROCOR) and Deacon Andrei Boldyrev, a cleric of St. Barbara Cathedral.

After the dismissal of the Divine Liturgy, a glorification of the Holy Apostle Andrew the First-Called was performed.

At the end of the divine service, the Right Reverend Vladyka, in connection with his 75th birthday and in recognition of his many years of service to the Holy Church, presented Deacon Andrei Boldyrev with a high Patriarchal award – the medal of the Order of St. Seraphim of Sarov. After which the Archpastor congratulated the clergy and parishioners with the feast and addressed those present with a word of spiritual edification.

On behalf of the clergy and laity of the Patriarchal parishes in Canada, the Right Reverend Vladyka was warmly greeted by the Rector of the Cathedral, Archpriest Igor Kisil. In his speech, Father Igor noted the joyful opportunity to communicate with his Archpastor and thanked Bishop Matthew for celebrating the Divine Liturgy on a festive day.

Bishop Matthew of Sourozh held a working meeting at the Bishop’s residence in Edmonton

On the evening of December 13, 2024, His Grace Bishop Matthew of Sourozh visited the episcopal residence of the Administrator of the Patriarchal Parishes in Canada, located in Edmonton, Alberta.

His Grace inspected the church and performed a short prayer service (moleben).

Next, the Archpastor held a working meeting with the clergy of the Patriarchal Parishes in Canada, where current diocesan affairs were discussed.

After the meeting with the clergy, Bishop Matthew continued to work with the documents and reviewed a number of administrative and economic matters.

On December 14, 2024, His Grace Bishop Matthew of Sourozh, temporary Administrator of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA and Canada, visited the Church of the Nativity of the Mother of God in Nisku, Alberta.

The Archpastor was accompanied on his trip by Dean of the Patriarchal Parishes in Alberta and Saskatchewan Archpriest Igor Kisil, Rector of the “Orthodox IX” Parish District Archpriest Evgeny Protsenko, and Personal Secretary N.V. Trubnikov.

Upon arrival, His Grace served a short prayer service and inspected the church. Then Bishop Matthew and the clergy visited the parish cemetery, where a panikhida was served at the graves of Archbishop Panteleimon (Rudyk) (16.06.1898 – 02.10.1968) and Archpriest John Margitich (01.06.1917 – 09.03.1991) for the deceased hierarchs, clergy and Orthodox laity of the Patriarchal Parishes in Canada.

On December 14, 2024, on the eve of the 25th Sunday after Pentecost, His Grace Bishop Matthew of Sourozh celebrated the all-night vigil at St. Barbara’s Cathedral in Edmonton, Alberta.

His Grace was assisted by Dean of the Patriarchal Parishes in Alberta and Saskatchewan, Rector of the Cathedral Archpriest Igor Kisil, Rector of the Orthodox IX Parish District Archpriest Evgeny Protsenko, and Deacon Andrei Boldyrev.

At Matins, after the reading of the Gospel, Bishop Matthew anointed the clergy and worshipers with consecrated oil.

At the end of the service, the Right Reverend Archpastor was warmly greeted on behalf of the clergy and parishioners by the Rector of the church, Archpriest Igor Kisil.

Bishop Matthew of Sourozh led the patronal celebrations at St. Barbara’s Cathedral in Edmonton, Canada

On December 15, 2024, with the blessing of His Grace Bishop Matthew of Sourozh, Temporary Administrator of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA and Canada, patronal celebrations were held at St. Barbara’s Cathedral in Edmonton, Alberta (postponed from December 4/17).

At the entrance to the church, the Right Reverend Vladyka was greeted with bread and salt and flowers by the church warden Roman Lopushinsky and young parishioners of the Cathedral.

During the Divine Liturgy, His Grace was assisted by Dean of the Patriarchal Parishes in the Provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan, Rector of the Cathedral Archpriest Igor Kisil, Rector of the Parish District “Orthodox IX” Archpriest Evgeny Protsenko, cleric of the Poltava Diocese of the UOC MP Archpriest Viktor Cherepinets, Rector of the Parish District “Orthodox V” Priest Alexy Surayev, Deacon Andrey Boldyrev and Deacon Stefan Nagy.

In recognition of their diligent church labours, altar servers of the cathedral Sergiy Anokhin and Tikhon Trutnev were awarded by Bishop Matthew the right to wear orarions, Nikita Kushner, Mark LeBlanc and Leon Unland were awarded the right to wear cassocks.

Following the prayer after the communion, the Right Reverend Archpastor and the concelebrating clergy performed a glorification before the icon and holy relics of the Holy Great Martyr Barbara, whose left foot is the main shrine of the church.

Bishop Matthew congratulated the clergy and parishioners of the Cathedral on the patronal feast and addressed those present with words of spiritual edification. In his response, Rector of the church, Archpriest Igor Kisil, expressed words of gratitude for the opportunity to prayerfully share the joy of the patronal feast with his Archpastor and thanked Vladyka for his visit.

After the divine service, Bishop Matthew had discussions with the clergy and parishioners of the Cathedral.

Bishop Matthew of Sourozh met with representatives of the St. Peter and Paul parish in Regina, Saskatchewan

On December 15, 2024, His Grace Bishop Matthew of Sourozh, temporary Administrator of the Patriarchal Parishes in the United States and Canada, met with representatives of the St.Peter and St.Paul parish in Regina, Saskatchewan.

The meeting, which took place at St. Barbara Cathedral in Edmonton, was attended by Rector of the church, Archpriest Evgeny Protsenko, chairman of the Parish Council, Maxim Fedin, church accountant Elena Vorotyagina, senior altar server, Michael Kisheev, and parishioners.

During the conversation, issues of church and parish life were discussed, after which the Right Reverend Vladyka answered questions from those present.

On the eve of the day of remembrance of the Great Martyr Barbara, Bishop Matthew of Sourozh celebrated the all-night vigil at St. Barbara’s Cathedral in Edmonton

On the evening of December 16, 2024, on the eve of the day of remembrance of the Great Martyr Barbara, His Grace Bishop Matthew of Sourozh, temporary Administrator of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA and Canada, celebrated the all-night vigil at St. Barbara’s Cathedral in Edmonton, Alberta.

His Grace was assisted by Dean of the Patriarchal Parishes in the Provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan, Rector of the Cathedral Archpriest Igor Kisil, Rector of the Parish District “Orthodox IX” Archpriest Evgeny Protsenko, Rector of the Parish District “Orthodox V” Priest Alexei Suraev, Deacon Andrei Boldyrev and Protodeacon Jesse Isaac (OCA).

During Vespers, His Grace the Archpastor performed the litiya with the blessing of five loaves of bread, wine and oil.

During the celebration of the polyeleos, the reliquary with the main relic of the cathedral – part of the relics of the Holy Great Martyr Barbara – was brought out of the altar to the center of the church.

At Matins, after the reading of the Gospel, Bishop Matthew anointed the clergy and worshipers with consecrated oil.

At the end of the service, the Right Reverend Archpastor was warmly greeted, on behalf of the clergy and parishioners, by the Rector of the church, Archpriest Igor Kisil.

On the day of memory of the Great Martyr Barbara, a Divine Liturgy was celebrated at St. Barbara’s Cathedral in Edmonton

On December 17, 2024, on the day of memory of the Great Martyr Barbara, His Grace Bishop Matthew of Sourozh, temporary Administrator of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA and Canada, and Archbishop Irénée of Ottawa and Canada (OCA), celebrated the Divine Liturgy at St. Barbara Cathedral in Edmonton, Alberta.

The hierarchs were assisted at the Liturgy by Dean of the Patriarchal Parishes in the Provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan, Rector of the Cathedral Archpriest Igor Kisil, Rector of the “Orthodox IX” Parish District Archpriest Evgeny Protsenko, Rector of the Cathedral of St. Herman of Alaska in Edmonton, Archpriest Vincent Lehr (OCA), Archpriest Vitaly Manoli (OCA), cleric of the Poltava Diocese of the UOC MP, Archpriest Viktor Cherepinets, Rector of the “Orthodox V” Parish District, Priest Alexei Suraev, Rector of the Church of the Great Martyr George the Victorious in Red Deer, Priest Viktor Kramarenko (ROCOR), Rector of the Church of St. John of Shanghai and San Francisco in Calgary, Hieromonk Spiridon (Gusakov) (ROCOR), Deacon Andrei Boldyrev, Deacon Stefan Nagy and Deacon Denis Letunovsky (OCA).

Following the prayer after the communion, the Archpastors and concelebrating clergy performed a prayerful glorification before the icon and part of the relics of the Holy Great Martyr Barbara – the main shrine of St. Barbara Cathedral.

At the end of the service, Bishop Matthew warmly greeted Archbishop Irénée, thanked him for the opportunity to pray together and presented him with a gift in memory of their joint service.

Then the Right Reverend Archpastors shared a joint meal with the clergy and parishioners of the church.

On the eve of the feast day of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, Bishop Matthew of Sourozh celebrated the all-night vigil at St. Barbara’s Cathedral in Edmonton, Canada

On the evening of December 18, 2024, on the eve of the feast day of St. Nicholas, Archbishop of Myra in Lycia, the Wonderworker, His Grace Bishop Matthew of Sourozh, Temporary Administrator of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA and Canada, celebrated the all-night vigil at St. Barbara’s Cathedral in Edmonton, Alberta.

His Grace was assisted by Dean of the Patriarchal Parishes in the Provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan, Rector of the Cathedral Archpriest Igor Kisil, and Rector of the Orthodox IX Parish District Archpriest Evgeny Protsenko.

During the vespers, the Right Reverend Archpastor performed the litiya with the blessing of five loaves of bread, wine and oil.

At matins, after the Gospel reading, Bishop Matthew anointed the clergy and worshipers with consecrated oil.

At the end of the divine service, Rector of the church, Archpriest Igor Kisil, addressed the Right Reverend Archpastor with a welcoming speech.

On the day of commemoration of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, Bishop Matthew of Sourozh celebrated the Liturgy at St. Barbara’s Cathedral in Edmonton, Alberta

On December 19, 2024, on the day of commemoration of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, His Grace Bishop Matthew of Sourozh, temporary Administrator of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA and Canada, celebrated the Divine Liturgy at St. Barbara’s Cathedral in Edmonton, Alberta.

Due to severe weather conditions, the archpastoral visit and Liturgy planned for that day at the Church of the Ascension of the Lord in Skaro were cancelled.

Before the beginning of the divine service, His Grace tonsured Mark LeBlanc as a reader.

During the Divine Liturgy, His Grace was assisted by Dean of the Patriarchal Parishes in the Provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan, Rector of the Cathedral Archpriest Igor Kisil, Rector of the Parish District “Orthodox IX” Archpriest Evgeny Protsenko, Rector of the Parish District “Orthodox V” Priest Alexy Suraev and Deacon Andrei Boldyrev.

After the prayer after the communion, the Right Reverend Archpastor and the clergy performed glorification before the icon of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker.

Bishop Matthew warmly congratulated his personal secretary N.V. Trubnikov and the parishioners of the cathedral celebrating their Angel’s Day on their name’s day, and addressed those present with words of spiritual edification. Many years were proclaimed to those celebrating their name’s day.

Information and photos
by Nikolai Trubnikov