On Friday, September 25, 2026, with the blessing and in the stead of Bishop Matthew of Sourozh—Interim Administrator of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA & Canada—Subdeacon David of St. John Chrysostom parish in Grand Rapids was tonsured a monastic (little schema) by the hand of the Archimandrite Pachomy (Belkoff) of St. Sabbas the Sanctified Russian Orthodox Monastery in Harper Woods, MI and was given the name Daniel (St. Daniel of Wales).

Following the monastic tonsure of Fr. Daniel, Priest Joshua Genig – Dean of the Central States – read the life of St. Daniel of Wales and served Vespers. The responses were sung by the monastic community, with Priest James Anthony, Priest Seraphim Kraker, and Deacon Michael Cook (all from St. John Chrysostom) praying in the temple. Following the monastic tonsure and Vespers, the clergy enjoyed a fraternal Lenten meal prepared by parishioners of the Monastery.

On Saturday, September 26, 2026, Priest Joshua Genig served the Divine Liturgy at the Monastery, concelebrating with Priest Seraphim Kraker. Deacon Michael Cook and Deacon Anthony McKay (St. Innocent of Irkutsk parish in Redford, MI) prayed in the altar. Several parishioners from Grand Rapids made the long drive to attend the Divine Liturgy and receive the Mysteries with the Monk Daniel.

Fellowship among the clergy and parishioners continued over a festive breakfast prepared by the Monastery. Thereafter, the faithful enjoyed walking the grounds of the beautiful gardens of the Monastery and venerating the Monastery’s many sacred relics and icons.