On Bright Saturday, May 4, Interim Administrator of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA Bishop Matthew of Sourozh celebrated Divine Liturgy at Holy Trinity Church in Baltimore, MD. The day was timed to coincide with celebration of the Centennial Anniversary of that Parish. The Rector of St. George, Archpriest Igor Tarasov and our Parish Warden, Olga Roussanow traveled to Baltimore to attend that celebration.

His Grace was co-served by our Rector, Chancellor of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA, Archpriest Igor Tarasov; Archpriest Victor Potapov (Rector of St. John the Baptist Cathedral in Washington, DC (ROCOR)) as well as Deans and clergy of the Patriarchal Parishes and guest clergy.

Before the beginning of the Liturgy, Bishop Matthew performed the tonsure and ordinations of new readers and subdeacons for parishes of the Moscow Patriarchate in the USA. At the Little Entrance, with the blessing of His Holiness, Patriarch Kirill, Bishop Matthew conferred the Church awards upon several clerics of the Patriarchal Parishes. After the Eucharistic Canon, Bishop Matthew ordained Subdeacon Artemy Kulikovsky a deacon for All Saints of Russia Church in Pine Bush, NY.

Following the Ambo prayer a procession was held around the street block with the singing of the Paschal Canon. During that procession Bishop Matthew unveiled a new street sign renaming the street where the parish is situated “Holy Trinity Way”.

At the end of the service the parish Rector, Archpriest John Vass greeted Bishop Matthew and expressed his gratitude for arriving for the paschal celebration as well as the prayerful commemoration of the Parish’s Centennial Anniversary. His Grace, in turn, congratulated the clergy on the feast of the bright Resurrection of Christ, as well as on the significant anniversary of the church. The Archpastor highlighted the works of the Rector, President and members of the parish council of Holy Trinity Church, who organized a hospitable reception for the clergy of the Patriarchal Parishes.

With the blessing of Patriarch Kirill, Bishop Matthew bestowed jubilee medals in honor of the “100th Anniversary of the Restoration of the Patriarchate of the Russian Orthodox Church” on parish Rectors of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA. Among them, our Rector, Archpriest Igor Tarasov was also awarded the said medal.

Interaction between the Archpastor, clergy and faithful continued during a festal reception in the Parish Hall. For the anniversary of the Parish, a historical exposition of the parish detailing its history and modern life was presented to the attendees.

Later, our Rector and our Warden attended a Meeting of the Bishop’s Council held at Holy Trinity Church on that day. The Council discussed some issues, especially, a preparation for the Convocation of the Patriarchal Parishes in the fall of the current year.