On Wednesday, December 13, the parish of St. Andrew Patriarchal Naval Cathedral in Philadelphia, PA celebrated its patronal feast day.

Officiating Divine Liturgy was cathedral rector Archpriest Mark Shinn, co-served by Archpriest Serge Lukianov (rector of St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in Howell, NJ), Abbot Nicodemus (Balyasnikov; acting chancellor of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA), Archpriest Valery Sukholobov (rector of Joy of All Who Sorrow Church in Philadelphia), Priests Nikolai Gulin (acting rector of Life-Giving Spring Icon of the Theotokos Mission on Staten Island, NY) and Alexander Tsygankov, and Deacons Eugene Iotov (cathedral clerics) and Michael Ardan (cleric of St. Nicholas Church in Chester, PA), as well as clergy of the OCA (Albanian Archdiocese) and the Antiochian Archdiocese of North America.

Prior to the start of Liturgy, Fr. Nicodemus greeted the rector and clergy, and relayed to them the blessing of Bishop Matthew of Sourozh, acting Administrator of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA.

A multitude of the faithful came to pray to the church’s Heavenly patron, many of whom communed of Christ’s Holy Mysteries.

The clergy served a short moleben before the icon of the Holy Apostle Andrew the First-Called.

Upon completion of the service, Fr. Mark greeted the clergy and parishioners with their patronal feast, and thanked the visiting clergy for their participation in the festal divine services.

On behalf of St. Alexander Nevsky parish, Fr. Serge presented Fr. Nicodemus with a cross.

A festal luncheon, lovingly prepared by the cathedral sisterhood, was then held in the church hall, during which the clergy and faithful continued their fraternal interaction.

Photos: Media Office of the Eastern American Diocese - T. Veselkina