Archbishop Michael Visits the Church of the Mother of God for 60th Anniversary Celebration, Fr. Matthew’s 50 Years of Priesthood, and Tonsuring of Two Readers
On August 8th 2026, the parish of the Church of the Mother of God, Joy of All the Sorrowful, was blessed with an archpastoral visitation by His Eminence Archbishop Michael. The occasion brought together three significant celebrations: the 60th anniversary of the parish, the 50th anniversary of the ordination of the Very Rev. Dr. Matthew Searfoorce to the priesthood, and the tonsuring of two men to the office of Reader.
Following the vesting, His Eminence tonsured Nicholas Zimmerman and Juvenaly Munoz to the office of Reader, formally recognizing their service and commitment to the liturgical life of the Church.
During the celebration, Archbishop Michael presented the parish with a new Antimension containing a relic of the New Martyr of Poland, St. Basil Martysz. St. Basil served the Orthodox Church in several locations, including Alaska, Pennsylvania, New York, Connecticut, Alberta, and Manitoba. He was martyred in Teratyn, Poland, on May 4, 1945. The Antimension, upon which the Divine Liturgy is celebrated, is a treasured gift and a reminder of the Church’s apostolic faith and the witness of those who gave their lives for Christ.
His Eminence also presented the parish with a reliquary containing a relic of St. Olga of Alaska, the first woman saint of North America. This gift was given through Archbishop Alexei and the Diocese of Sitka and Alaska. The presence of these holy relics is a special blessing for the parish, connecting its worship and spiritual life with the witness and holiness of these beloved saints.
Another highlight of the occasion was the recognition of Fr. Matthew Searfoorce’s fifty years of priestly service. His Eminence presented Fr. Matthew with a Gramota in recognition of this remarkable milestone and his many years of faithful ministry.
Andrew Romanofsky, representing the Parish Council, received a Gramota from Archbishop Michael on behalf of the parish in recognition of the Church of the Mother of God’s sixty years of faithful witness and service.
Following the Divine Liturgy, clergy, parishioners, family members, and guests gathered at a nearby restaurant for an anniversary dinner. It was an opportunity to celebrate these milestones together, give thanks for the blessings of the past, and look forward with hope to the continued life and growth of the parish.
The parish of the Church of the Mother of God gives thanks to His Eminence Archbishop Michael for his archpastoral visit and for sharing in these joyful celebrations. May God grant many blessed years to our hierarch, to Fr. Matthew, to the newly tonsured Readers, and to the entire parish community!
Mays Landing, NJ – On August 8, the parish of the Church of the Mother of God, Joy of All the Sorrowful, was blessed with an archpastoral visitation by His Eminence Archbishop Michael. The occasion brought together three significant celebrations: the 60th anniversary of the parish, the 50th anniversary of the ordination of the Very Rev. Dr. Matthew Searfoorce to the priesthood, and the tonsuring of two men to the office of Reader.
Following the vesting, His Eminence tonsured Nicholas Zimmerman and Juvenaly Munoz to the office of Reader, formally recognizing their service and commitment to the liturgical life of the Church.
During the celebration, Archbishop Michael presented the parish with a new Antimension containing a relic of the New Martyr of Poland, St. Basil Martysz. St. Basil served the Orthodox Church in several locations, including Alaska, Pennsylvania, New York, Connecticut, Alberta, and Manitoba. He was martyred in Teratyn, Poland, on May 4, 1945. The Antimension, upon which the Divine Liturgy is celebrated, is a treasured gift and a reminder of the Church’s apostolic faith and the witness of those who gave their lives for Christ.
His Eminence also presented the parish with a reliquary containing a relic of St. Olga of Alaska, the first woman saint of North America. This gift was given through Archbishop Alexei and the Diocese of Sitka and Alaska. The presence of these holy relics is a special blessing for the parish, connecting its worship and spiritual life with the witness and holiness of these beloved saints.
Another highlight of the occasion was the recognition of Fr. Matthew Searfoorce’s fifty years of priestly service. His Eminence presented Fr. Matthew with a Gramota in recognition of this remarkable milestone and his many years of faithful ministry.
Andrew Romanofsky, representing the Parish Council, received a Gramota from Archbishop Michael on behalf of the parish in recognition of the Church of the Mother of God’s sixty years of faithful witness and service.
Following the Divine Liturgy, clergy, parishioners, family members, and guests gathered at a nearby restaurant for an anniversary dinner. It was an opportunity to celebrate these milestones together, give thanks for the blessings of the past, and look forward with hope to the continued life and growth of the parish.
The parish of the Church of the Mother of God gives thanks to His Eminence Archbishop Michael for his archpastoral visit and for sharing in these joyful celebrations. May God grant many blessed years to our hierarch, to Fr. Matthew, to the newly tonsured Readers, and to the entire parish community!