On Saturday, September 29, the eve of the Sunday after the Elevation of the Cross, Bishop Matthew of Sourozh, Interim Administrator of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA visited St. George the Great Martyr Church in Bayside, NY, where he led Great Vespers and Litiya co-served by parish rector and Chancellor of the Patriarchal Parishes Archpriest Igor Tarasov.
At the end of the service Bishop Matthew was greeted by Fr. Igor, who on behalf of the parish thanked him for his prayers. Bishop Matthew then congratulated those gathered with the ongoing feast of the Elevation of the Cross, and in memory of the hierarchal service in St. George Church presented the parishioners with small icons of the Kazan icon of the Mother of God.