On November 5, 2024, at the spiritual and administrative center of the Antiochian Patriarchate in the United States of America, the interim administrator of the Patriarchal parishes in the United States and Canada Bishop Matthew of Sourozh met with Metropolitan Savva, head of the Antiochian Archdiocese.
The meeting was also attended by Archpriest Thomas Zain, Vicar General of the Antiochian Archdiocese, Archpriest Joseph Samaan, Acting Secretary of the Patriarchal Parishes in the United States, Hegumen Nicodemus (Balyasnikov), Priest Mark Rashkov, Head of the Moscow Patriarchate Parishes Office in the United States, and Bishop Matthew's personal secretary Nikolai Trubnikov.
The meeting was also attended by Archpriest Thomas Zain, Archpriest Joseph Samaan, Acting Secretary of the Patriarchal Parishes in the United States, Hegumen Nicodemus (Balyasnikov), Priest Mark Rashkov, Head of the Moscow Patriarchate Parishes Office in the United States, and Bishop Matthew's personal secretary.
The hierarchs discussed a wide range of issues of interaction between the clergy of the Antiochian and Moscow Patriarchate in the United States and Canada. Bishop Matthew acquainted Metropolitan Savva with the program of anniversary events and services in 2025 to mark the 100th anniversary of the repose of the enlightener of America — Sainted Tikhon, Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia.
Sainted Tikhon, Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia.
After the exchange of views, it was reached preliminary agreement on the joint service and communion of clergy and laity of the two jurisdictions next February on the feast day of St. Raphael of Brooklyn in the Cathedral of the Antiochian Archdiocese in New York. Metropolitan Savva also invited the Administrator of the Patriarchal Parishes in the United States to take part in the solemn transfer of the relics of St. Raphael, which rest in the cemetery at the Theological Seminary «Antiochian Village» in Pennsylvania.
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Vladyka Matthew, in turn, expressed his heartfelt gratitude to Metropolitan Savva and the administration of Antiochian Seminary for their unwavering attention and support of students from among the clergy and laity of the Moscow Patriarchate parishes in the United States and Great Britain. To date, 14 students have received theological degrees from this institution over the past ten years, and 8 students are currently enrolled with Bishop Matthew's blessing and recommendation.
At the end of the meeting, the administrator of the Patriarchal parishes in the United States with wishes of God's help in archpastoral labors presented Metropolitan Savva with a panagia and a cross made by Russian craftsmen. In turn, the head of the Antiochian Archdiocese expressed his deep satisfaction with the historical fraternal relations between the two Churches in the United States. He presented Bishop Matthew with an image of the Blessed Virgin Mary painted by Damascus icon painters. As a gift to the libraries and Sunday schools of the Patriarchal parishes in the United States, Vladyka Savva gave copies of the first issue of the children's Orthodox magazine published by the Antiochian Archdiocese.
EOCS Communication Service/Patriarchia.ru
