Bp. Matthew Leads Feast Day Divine Liturgy at Manhattan Cathedral
The patronal feast of St. Nicholas Cathedral in New York featured a hierarchical liturgy, an ordination, and celebrations of parish life and service.
NEW YORK — The St. Nicholas Patriarchal Cathedral in Manhattan marked its patronal feast on May 22, 2026, with a solemn celebration of the Divine Liturgy led by Bp. Matthew of Sourozh, Interim Administrator of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA and Canada, coinciding with the feast of the Translation of the Relics of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker from Myra to Bari.
The liturgical celebration brought together a large assembly of clergy, including senior priests and deacons from across multiple jurisdictions, along with the cathedral choir and a congregation that included Sunday School students who greeted the bishop upon his arrival. During the service, hymns were sung by an expanded hierarchical choir under the direction of K.V. Afanasyeva, as the cathedral observed one of its most significant annual feast days.
A key moment of the liturgy came after the Great Entrance, when Bp. Matthew ordained Dcn. Rodion Zaam to the priesthood, for continued service at Saints Peter and Paul Church in Manchester, New Hampshire. The service also included a prayer for Holy Rus’, commemorations of cathedral founders and benefactors, and a moleben to St. Nicholas following Holy Communion.
In his homily, Bp. Matthew reflected on the worldwide veneration of St. Nicholas, highlighting the enduring significance of the saint’s relics. He conveyed greetings from Patr. Kirill of Moscow and All Rus’ and expressed gratitude to clergy and parish workers for their service. The Bishop also offered congratulations to the newly ordained priest, honored the 25th anniversary of Dcn. John Peters’ ordination, and greeted parishioners named Nicholas on their names' day.
Previously, the UOJ reported that Bp. Matthew visited historic missions in California.
