On October 21, 2021, after terminating the necessary quarantine prescribed by the Government of Canada, as part of measures to combat coronavirus infection, His Grace Bishop Matthew of Sourozh, temporary Administrator of the Patriarchal Parishes in the United States and Canada, arrived in Edmonton, Alberta.

The archpastoral visit to the Patriarchal parishes in Canada began with a visit to the Cathedral of the Holy Great Martyr Barbara. In the church, His Grace was met by priest Igor Kisil, Dean of the Patriarchal parishes in the provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan, Rector of the Cathedral, and the Secretary of the Patriarchal Parishes in Canada and the churchwarden Roman Lopushinsky.

Vladyka Matthew offered thanksgiving prayers in front of the iсon of the Holy Great Martyr Barbara and part of her holy relics, venerated the shrines of the Cathedral and examined the church.

After that Vladyka had a conversation with Father Igor and R. Lopushinsky, where they discussed current issues of the church parish life in the face of restrictions related to the coronavirus pandemic.

During the trip, the Right Reverend Archpastor was accompanied by his personal secretary N.V. Trubnikov.

 

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On October 21, 2021, His Grace Bishop Matthew of Sourozh, temporary Administrator of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA and Cananda, visited the house church in honor of the Pochaev Icon of the Most Holy Mother of God, located in the bishop’s residence in Edmonton, Alberta province.

The Archpastor offered up prayers in the church and venerated the relics kept in the altar.

After that, under the chairmanship of Vladyka Matthew, a meeting of the clergy of St. Barbara Cathedral in Edmonton was held, at which current issues of parish life were discussed.

After the meeting, His Grace Vladyka continued to work with documents and considered a number of administrative and economic matters.

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On October 22, 2021, the day of remembrance of the Apostle James Alfeev (I), His Grace Bishop Matthew of Sourozh, temporary Administrator of the Patriarchal parishes in the USA and Canada, celebrated the Divine Liturgy in the church of the Holy Prophet John, Forerunner and Baptist of the Lord, in Chipman.

His Grace was assisted by the Rector of the Orthodox V Parishes (including this holy church) priest Alexy Suraev, Dean of the Patriarchal parishes in the provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan, archpriest Igor Kisil, Rector of the church of St. George the Victorious in Red Deer (Alberta), priest Victor Kramarenko (ROCOR), and cleric of St. Barbara Cathedral deacon Andrey Boldyreff.

At the entrance to the church, His Grace Vladyka was greeted with flowers by the head of the parish sisterhood, Lydia Pevarchuk.

 

Worshipers from various cities and towns of the province of Alberta prayed at the church, located northeast of Edmonton.

After the dismissal of the Liturgy, the Archpastor addressed clergy and parishioners of the church with words of a sermon and spiritual edification. In turn, Rector of the church, Father Alexy Suraev, warmly thanked Vladyka Matthew for the long-awaited archpastoral visit, which could take place after the weakening of quarantine measures related to the spread of coronavirus infection in Canada.

[In the churches in Canada, the rules for wearing masks for the laity are preserved and social distance must be observed. According, to the government requirements, no more than 30% of the usual number of parishioners can attend services at the moment.]

 

As a sign of gratitude for the diligent church labors, His Eminence Vladyka awarded hierarchical subdeacon Nestor Kostyuk with a blessed hierarchical letter.

Vladyka’s communication with the clergy and parish activists continued at a tea party in the refectory of the church.

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After the Liturgy at the church of St. John the Baptist in Chipman, Alberta, His Grace Bishop Matthew of Sourozh, temporary Administrator of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA and Canada, visited a number of churches in the “Orthodox V” Parish District.

Vladyka made tour visiting the churches buildings, prayed in front of churches’ relics and got acquainted with the details of parish life.  During his visit, His Grace was met by representatives of parish councils.

Vladyka Matthew visited:

– Church of the Holy Apostle James, brother of the Lord, near the city of Mundare.

Churchwarden Mikhail Korolyuk and treasurer Andrea Zakharuk were present.

– Church of Archangel Michael in the town of Peno.

Churchwarden of the parish, subdeacon Nestor Kostyuk, was present.

– Church of the Ascension of the Lord in the town of Skaro.

The parish treasurer and the “Orthodox V” president, reader Joachim Lopushinsky, attended.

During the trip, His Grace was accompanied by archpriest Igor Kisil, Dean of the Patriarchal Parishes, Priest Alexy Suraev, Rector of churches in the “Orthodox V” district, and Vladyka’s personal secretary Nikolai Trubnikov.

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On October 23, 2021, the Remembrance Day of St. Ambrose of Optina (1891), the temporary Administrator of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA and Canada, His Grace Bishop Matthew of Sourozh, celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the Church of the Nativity of the Most Holy Mother of God in Nisku.

His Grace was assisted by Rector of the Parish District “Orthodox IX”, Secretary of the Office of Patriarchal Parishes, archpriest Yevgeny Protsenko; Dean of the Patriarchal Parishes in the provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan archpriest Igor Kisil, and cleric of St. Barbara’s Cathedral deacon Andrei Boldyreff.

At the entrance to the church, the Right Reverend Vladyka was greeted with flowers and bread and salt by the elders of the parish Elena Wasiluk and the president of the parish and churchwarden David Borys.

At the end of the Liturgy, the Archpastor addressed the clergy and parishioners of the church with words of a sermon and spiritual edification.  In reply, Rector of the church, Father Yevgeny, warmly thanked Vladyka Matthew for his archpastoral visit and the opportunity to pray together.

After the service, Vladyka Matthew talked with the parishioners.

 

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On October 23, 2021, on the eve of the 18th Sunday after Pentecost, His Grace Bishop Matthew of Sourozh celebrated an all-night vigil at St. Barbara Cathedral in Edmonton.

At the all-night Vigil, His Grace was assisted by Rector of the Cathedral, Dean of the Patriarchal parishes in the provinces of Alberta and Saskechewan, archpriest Igor Kisil, Rector of the “Orthodox IX” parish district, Secretary of the Office of Patriarchal parishes, archpriest Yevgeny Protsenko, and cleric of the Cathedral deacon Andrey Boldyreff.

At the matins of the all-night vigil, after the reading of the Holy Gospel, the Archpastor anointed the clergy and parishioners with consecrated oil.

At the end of the service, Fr. Igor, on behalf of the clergy and parishioners of the Cathedral, addressed His Grace Vladyka with a welcoming speech.

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On October 24, 2021, on the 18th Sunday after Pentecost, the day of commemoration of the Holy Fathers of the VII Ecumenical Council (787), His Grace Bishop Matthew of Sourozh celebrated the Divine Liturgy at St. Barbara Cathedral in Edmonton.

In the hall of the church, His Grace was greeted with flowers and bread and salt by the churchwarden of the Cathedral, Roman Lopushinsky, and his spouse Diana.

At the Liturgy, His Grace was assisted by Rector of the Cathedral, Dean of the Patriarchal Parishes in the Provinces of Albert and Saskechewan, archpriest Igor Kisil, Rector of the Parish District “Orthodox IX”, Secretary of the Office of Patriarchal Parishes, archpriest Yevgeny Protsenko, clerics of the Cathedral deacon Andrey Boldyreff and deacon Stephan Nagi.

At the small entrance, in consideration of the diligent pastoral work, clerics of the Patriarchal parishes in Canada were awarded the liturgical hierarchical awards of the Russian Orthodox Church: archpriest Igor Kisil – the right to wear the mitra, and archpriest Yevgeny Protsenko – the right to wear a cross with decorations.

Two young servants of the Cathedral of the Great Martyr Barvara – subdeacons Alexander Belobrov and Alexander Kisil were awarded by His Grace Bishop Matthew the right to wear an orarion.

After the divine service, the Archpastor addressed the clergy and parishioners of the Cathedral with words of a sermon and spiritual edification.

The Rector of the Cathedral, archpriest Igor Kisil, on behalf of the clergy and parishioners, warmly greeted Vladyka, thanking him for the opportunity to share the joy of communion with their Bishop and for the high church awards that were presented to the clergy of the Patriarchal parishes.

The main treasure of the Cathedral is a particle of relics (left foot) of the Holy Great Martyr Barbara, taken from Kiev and transferred to the Cathedral by Archbishop Panteleimon (Rudyk) of Edmonton and Canada, which, according to the Athonite tradition, is kept on the Holy Table in the altar.

The Right Reverend Archpastor presented the Cathedral with an embroidered vestment for the covering of the Great Martyr’s Holy Relics.

After the service, Vladyka Matthew communicated with clergy and parishioners of the Cathedral.

In the evening of the same day, His Grace departed for Eastern Canada to complete his mission and perform divine services and hold meetings with the clergy and faithful of the Russian Orthodox Church.