On Sunday, February 23rd, St. Matthew celebrated with Father Constantine's recognizing the 40th Anniversary of his Ordination as a Priest.

St. Matthew is so blessed to have Father Constantine lead us on our spiritual journey, This celebration was a thank you for his love and faithful pastoral care which he so lovingly offers to all his parishioners. St. Matthew was truly blessed when Father Constantine and Matushka Nina were sent to guide us! The parishioners presented Father Constantine with a new Epitrakhelion/Stole that was specially made for him, to use in visitations and house blessings.

On St Nicholas Day, St Matthew Parish hosted a party for the residents at St. Matthew House. Through the generous donations of the St. Matthew parishioners, each resident received gift cards to Amazon and Harris Teeter. The Sunday School children presented each resident with boxes of delicious, homemade cookies, and treated the residents to a concert of Christmas carols. 

St. Matthew's Sunday School program collected donations to support the Grassroots Crisis Intervention Center for our Lenten Outreach Project this year. The parish generously donated an estimated $1300 worth of items to help fill the Grassroots pantry and the children sorted and helped deliver it. The Sunday School also made cards to wish the residents a happy day! 

On February 5th we were blessed with a Hierarchical Liturgy with Metropolitan Tikhon.  In the Narthex, His Beatitude was greeted by the youth of our parish with flowers and icons.  Additionally, he was presented bread and salt. He vested in the sanctuary.  Joining Fr. Constantine for the liturgy were: Fr. Chterion Z., V. Rev. Joseph Woodill, Dcn. Peter Ilchuk, Dcn. John J., Sdn. Lawrence Basalyga, Sdn. Patrick T., Sdn. Alexander Woodill, as well numerous adult and youth altar servers. 

During liturgy our Sdn. Michael was ordained to the Diaconate by Metropolitan Tikhon.  It has been a long journey for Dcn. Michael.  In fact 30 years ago, His Beatitude was Dcn. Michael's instructor at seminary.  Dcn. Michael's family came to witness this important step in Dcn. Michael's life.  Axios! May God Grant Dcn. Michael Many Years!  Please pray for Dcn. Michael and his Service. 

After liturgy, there was a celebratory luncheon.  It was a joyous gathering for our parish and Dcn. Michael.

The OCSM Sunday School gave a beautiful performance of the story of Christ's Nativity on Sunday, December 11. The production included 27 children, and in addition to acting out the Nativity, the kids sang beautiful hymns including Of the Father's Love Begotten, O Who Loves Nicholas the Saintly, and the Troparion and Kontakion for the Nativity of Christ. You can watch the video of the Pageant here.

The Sunday School hosted an Easter Egg Hunt on May 1st for the Sunday School children. A good time was had by all!

Our 2021 GRASSROOTS Giving Campaign has completed. We had a very successful campaign. The generosity of our St. Matthew family continues to amaze.  Our parish donated $2,600 in gift cards! This will be such a help those to with great needs during this Christmas season.

During Metropolitan Tikhon's visit, he also bestowed his blessing on four parishioners, Gus P., Tom L. Beth J., and Wayne H.,  who were acknowledged for their dedicated service to the St. Matthew community. Congratulations!

Undaunted by COVID-19, the Parish held a virtual Chili Cook-Off this year. We had good participation, and some unique varieties of chili! We look forward to coming together as a Parish next year to participate in this event, sponsored by Junior FOCA!