On December 19, 2025, the feast of Holy Hierarch Nicholas, Archbishop of Myra in Lycia, the Wonderworker, Archbishop Gabriel of Montreal & Canada and Bishop Matthew of Sourozh, Interim Administrator of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA & Canada, celebrated festal Divine Liturgy in St. Nicholas Patriarchal Cathedral in New York City.

The hierarchs were co-served by Abbot Nicodemus (Balyasnikov; Acting Chancellor of the Patriarchal Parishes), Priest Mark Rashkov (Vice-Chancellor of the Patriarchal Parishes), Priest Joshua Genig (Dean of the Central States) and cathedral clergy: Deacon Alexis Golubov, director of the Service of Bishops' Protocol; Protodeacon Igor Panachev and Deacon John Peters.

The Sacrament of Confession for parishioners and guests of the parish was performed by Priest Rodion Shamazov (rector of St. George Church in Bayside, NY) and Hieromonk John (Shefler;  cathedral cleric).

The liturgical hymns were sung by an expanded choir of St. Nicholas Cathedral under the direction of K.V. Afanasyeva.

During the reading of the Hours, Bishop Matthew ordained to the rank of subdeacons Reader Anthony McCain (cleric of St. Innocent of Irkutsk Church in Redford, MI); and Reader Oleg Cruz (cleric of St. Andrew Cathedral in Philadelphia, PA).

During the Liturgy, Bishop Matthew ordained Subdeacon Oleg Cruz to the diaconate. After receiving Holy Communion, the archpastors and concelebrating clergy performed a short moleben to St. Nicholas before the parish icon.

Following the divine service, Bishop Matthew warmly greeted Archbishop Gabriel, the clergy, parishioners, and guests on the feast of the patron saint of the cathedral of the Parishes of the Moscow Patriarchate in the USA.

"The icon of the miracle worker of Myra is an unsurpassed example for all the hierarchs of the Church of Christ.  "One of the worthy imitators of St. Nicholas's sacrificial service for us, the clergy serving in North America, is, of course, the builder of this cathedral and a great hierarch of the Russian Orthodox Church—St. Tikhon, Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus', whose centenary we celebrated throughout the past year," Bishop Matthew said. "We are concluding a series of jubilee services and events dedicated to St. Tikhon in the cathedral he built, and, fulfilling the blessing of His Holiness Kyrill, Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus', we are presenting a reliquary containing a portion of St. Tikhon's holy relics to the Canadian Diocese of the Russian Church Abroad. This relic, presented by the Primate of our Church in April of this year, has visited numerous Orthodox churches and monasteries, where the faithful have had the opportunity to pray to the Heavenly Patron Saint of North America."  We now convey this Patriarchal gift to you, dear Archbishop Gabriel, for permanent residence within the Canadian Diocese."

In his response, on behalf of the clergy & laity of the Canadian Diocese, Archbishop Gabriel asked to convey filial gratitude to His Holiness Patriarch Kyrill for this priceless gift, and he also congratulated Bishop Matthew, the clergy, and parishioners of St. Nicholas Cathedral on the feast day.

The service concluded with the polychronion to His Holiness Patriarch Kyrill of Moscow and All Rus', the hierarchs, clergy, and all the faithful of the Russian Orthodox Church in North America.

The festive fellowship continued over a fraternal meal prepared by the sisterhood of St. Nicholas Cathedral.