On the evening of the Fifth Sunday of Lent, His Grace Bishop John of Naro-Fominsk visited Three Saints Church in Garfield NJ, during the traditional Lenten Vespers. The Lenten mission vespers have been a longstanding tradition within the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA; allowing parishioners from various parishes to be joined in common prayer before the Great Feast of the Resurrection of Christ. 

The Vespers service was led by the Dean of the Eastern States, Archpriest Mikhail Kapchits. Fr. Michael was co-served by:

Archpriest George Konyev, Chancellor of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA, Parish Rector

Archpriest Emil Minkovich, Rector of Sts. Peter and Paul Church, Elizabeth NJ

Archpriest John Kassatkin, Rector of Elevation of the Holy Cross Church, Hackettstown NJ

Archpriest Igor Tarasov, Rector of St. George Church, Bayside NJ

Archpriest Yaroslav Stebelsky, OCA Cleric

Hieromonk Stephen (Bushman)

Protodeacon Daniel Sudol, Parish Cleric

Deacon Dmitry Sukhorukov, Cleric of St. Nicholas Church, Bayonne NJ

Deacon Mark Rashkov, Cleric of St. Nicholas Cathedral, NYC 

After the singing of the Great Prokimenon, Archpriest Igor Tarasov delivered a sermon on the Sunday of St. Mary of Egypt. 

At the conclusion of the Vespers Service, Bishop John greeted the assembled clergy and faithful, and wished them God's blessings as we complete Great Lent.

Parishioners then were given the chance to acquaint themselves with Bishop John, as this was his first visit to the parish since his appointment as Administrator of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA.