Bishop Matthew of Sourozh celebrated Liturgy in Holy Protection Church in Ottawa,

On Saturday, May 27, Bishop Matthew of Sourozh, Interim Administrator of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA & Canada, celebrated Divine Liturgy in Holy Protection Church in Ottawa, Canada (Diocese of Montreal & Canada, ROCOR)

His Grace was co-served by parish rector, Priest Alexy Pjawka, Vice-Chancellor of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA, Priest Mark Rashkov, Dean of the Central States, Priest Joshua Gaining, and clergy of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA & Canada.

During the reading of the Hours, the archpastor ordained the acolytes of St. John Chrysostom Church in Grand Rapids, MI, David Watkins and Seraphim Kraker, as subdeacons.

At the Little Entrance, with the blessing of His Holiness Patriarch Kyrill of Moscow and All Rus’, Bishop Matthew awarded the Rector of St. John Chrysostom Church in Grand Rapids, MI, Priest James Anthony, with the right to wear the palitsa, and parish cleric Deacon Michael Cook, with the right to wear the double orarion. Deacon Pavel Roudenko, cleric of Three Saints Church in Garfield, NJ was awarded the double orarion.

At the end of the service, Bishop Matthew and the clergy from the United States were greeted by parish rector, Priest Alexy Pjawka.

In his sermon, Bishop Matthew expressed his sincere gratitude to Archbishop Gabriel of Montreal and Canada from the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, who gave the clergy of the Patriarchal Parishes from the USA & Canada the opportunity to meet with their bishop and serve in the magnificent church. Vladyka also warmly greeted the rector, clergy and choir of Holy Protection Church and presented them a book about the Patriarchal Parishes in Canada and incense.

Bishop Matthew also presented Priest Joshua Gaining, Dean of the Central States, and Hierodeacon Seraphim (Balagtas) with the Patriarchal Gratitude medal, which they received for their active service to their neighbors during the coronavirus pandemic.