On September 17, 2024, with the blessing of Bishop Matthew of Sourozh, Administrator of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA, Vice Chancellor Priest Mark Rashkov took part in the annual reception on behalf of New York Mayor Eric Adams, dedicated to the cultural heritage of Eastern Europe.
Guests of the event traditionally include representatives of the city's cultural, public and religious organizations representing the interests of Eastern European immigrants. This year, the honorary guest of the event was the Primate of the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church in America, Bishop Mesrop Parsamian.
The event was also attended by the President of the Russian-American Cultural Center "Heritage" Olga Zatsepina and consultant of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA on work with public organizations Oksana Adler, who for many years have provided significant assistance in humanitarian projects of the Representative Office of the Moscow Patriarchate in the USA free of charge.
Addressing the guests of the meeting, the Mayor of New York highly praised their role in the life of the metropolis: "So I'm proud to be the mayor of one of the most diverse cities on the globe and that has one of the largest Eastern European communities right here in the city of New York. We have a lot to do, but we can do it together and we can accomplish our task together. So thank you for coming out today and lifting up and celebrating the Eastern European community. "