On Saturday June 22, the leave-taking of the great feast of Pentecost, the clergy of the Atlantic States Deanery celebrated Divine Liturgy at St. Nicholas Church in Chester, PA. The service was led by the Atlantic States Dean, Archpriest John Vass, rector of Holy Trinity Church in Baltimore, MD, and co-served by Archpriest Alexey Bocharnikov (parish rector), Archpriest Basil Micek (rector of Saints Peter and Paul Church in Scranton, PA), Archpriest Michael Lepa, (interim rector of St. Nicholas Church in Wilkes Barre, PA), Priest Gregory Winsky (rector of St. Michael the Archangel Church in Philadelphia, PA), Hieromonk Sylvester (Kozhin; rector of St. Nicholas Church in Reading, PA), Deacon Michael Bishop (cleric of Holy Trinity), Deacon Michael Ardan (cleric of St. Michael Church) and Deacon Michael Sidorochev (parish cleric).
At the conclusion of the service, Fr. John gave a sermon on the significance of the feast of Pentecost. Afterwards, he greeted the concelebrating clergy and graciously thanked the choir for their beautiful singing in Church Slavonic.
Following the Divine Service, a bountiful and delicious luncheon was served in the church hall generously coordinated by Matushka Elena Bocharnikova and the parish Sisterhood.
After lunch the clergy of the deanery gathered for a meeting to discuss pastoral and administrative issues facing the parishes. Many topics of importance to the deanery were discussed. Special attention was given to preparations for the next Convocation of the Patriarchal Parishes and recommendations on celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Patriarchal Parishes next year. The meeting was very fruitful, and all were encouraged by the dialog and ideas presented.
The deanery sincerely thanks St. Nicholas Church for hosting the service and meeting.
Archpriest John Vass