On September 29, the Sunday after the Elevation of the Cross, Bishop Matthew of Sourozh, Interim Administrator of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA & Canada, celebrated the Divine Liturgy in St. Nicholas Cathedral in New York City co-served by cathedral clergy, and Priest Dimitry Nedostupenko, Secretary of the Diocese of Sourozh, who is accompanying the bishop on his trip to the United States.   

After the Augmented Litany, the archpastor read the prayer for peace in the Ukraine.  After Holy Communion, the clergy and believers venerated the Holy Cross.

At the end of the service, the Bishop Matthew addressed those present with a sermon.

Bishop Matthew’s interaction with clergy and parishioners continued during a meal, after which he became acquainted with the activities of the parish institutions — parish school, museum, library and refectory, and talked with parish workers.

In the course of the day, Bishop Matthew held a working meeting with Elena Branson, Chairman of the Coordinating Council of Russian Compatriot Organizations in the United States, and discussed a number of issues of mutual interest between the Russian Church and Russian compatriots.