On Bright Saturday May 11, the clergy of the Atlantic States Deanery celebrated a Paschal Divine Liturgy at St. Michael the Archangel Church in Philadelphia, PA.  The Divine Service was led by Archpriest Mark Shinn, (rector of St. Andrew Cathedral in Philadelphia) and co-served by Priest Gregory Winsky (interim rector of St. Michael Church), Archpriest John Vass (Atlantic States Dean and rector of Holy Trinity Church in Baltimore, MD), Archpriest Andrey Kovalev (rector of St. Gregory the Theologian Church in Tampa, FL), Priest Alexander Tsygankov (cleric of St. Andrew Cathedral), Priest Daniel Meyer (serving St. Nicholas Church in Reading, PA), Deacon Evgeniy Iotov (cleric of St. Andrew Cathedral), and Deacons Michael Ardan and Michael Sidorochev (clerics of St. Nicholas Church in Chester, PA). Parishioners from most of the deanery’s parishes attended this first ever deanery-wide Bright Saturday celebration.

Before Holy Communion, Fr. Andrey Kovalev gave the sermon on the impact of Christ’s Resurrection on our life. At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, Fr. Mark Shinn presented to St. Michael Church relics of St. John Chrysostom and St. Basil the Great. On behalf of the parish, Fr. Gregory Winsky thanked Fr. Mark for such a holy gift that will help to strengthen the prayers of the faithful of St. Michael Church. Concluding words of thanks were given by Fr. John Vass.

Afterwards, a festive dinner was served in the church hall generously coordinated by the Sisterhood of the parish. Everyone appreciated the opportunity to become better acquainted with their brothers and sisters from the various parishes of the deanery.  

The deanery clergy express their sincere gratitude to St. Michael Church for hosting this joyous event.