On August 28, 2026, a meeting took place at St. Nicholas Patriarchal Cathedral in New York between Bishop Matthew of Sourozh—Interim Administrator of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA and Canada—and architects Alexander Molodin and Deacon Andrei Malyshew. They represented the "Apsida" architectural studio (https://apsidastudio.com/), which specializes in the design of Orthodox churches in the USA and Canada.
During the meeting, Alexander Molodin and Deacon Andrei Malyshew briefed the hierarch on their completed and ongoing Orthodox church projects in the United States. The participants discussed the primary challenges parishes face regarding the construction, renovation, and repair of church buildings. At the conclusion of the presentation, Bishop Matthew was presented with an album featuring photographs of the studio's projects.
Special attention was given to the work of the non-profit Apsida Foundation (https://apsidafoundation.org/). Its mission is to assist Orthodox parishes in raising funds for the construction, restoration, and development of church infrastructure. To this end, the foundation is establishing a modern system of public fundraising and seeks to engage philanthropists and members of the business community in supporting parish projects.
Bishop Matthew gave his blessing to the work of the "Apsida" architectural studio. Speaking about the new foundation, the hierarch expressed hope that this initiative would provide effective support for parishes, help them carry out necessary projects, and foster the further development of church life. Vladyka also noted the importance of the Orthodox Church supporting this initiative.
The studio representatives also spoke about "Apsida's" educational projects. These include the annual publication of an Orthodox calendar listing church feasts, fasts, and commemorative dates. The calendars are distributed free of charge to Orthodox parishes. Last year, the print run totaled 2,000 copies, and plans are in place to increase this number for the current year.
In addition, a book titled *A Practical Guide for Parishes on the Construction of Orthodox Churches in the USA* is currently being prepared for publication. The volume aims to assist clergy and parish councils in navigating the complexities of designing, obtaining approvals for, and constructing church buildings within the framework of American regulations and practices.
Following the meeting, Bishop Matthew proposed that Alexander Molodin and Deacon Andrei Malyshew conduct a series of lectures for the clergy of the Patriarchal parishes and for students at theological seminaries in the USA. The lectures will focus on practical aspects of the design, construction, and renovation of Orthodox churches. The parties agreed to begin implementing this initiative in the coming months.
