On Saturday June 29, the Leave-taking of Pentecost, the clergy of the Atlantic States Deanery celebrated Divine Liturgy at St. Andrew Cathedral in Philadelphia, PA.  The Divine Service was led by the rector of the cathedral, Archpriest Mark Shinn, and co-served by Archpriest John Vass (Atlantic States Dean and rector of Holy Trinity Church in Baltimore, MD), Priest Gregory Winsky (interim rector of St. Michael Church in Philadelphia), Priest Alexander Tsygankov (cathedral cleric), Priest Daniel Meyer (rector of St. Nicholas Church in Reading, PA), Deacon Evgeny Iotov (cathedral cleric) and Deacon Michael Sidorochev (cleric of St. Nicholas Church in Chester, PA).

Following the Divine Service, a dinner was served in the church hall generously coordinated by the Sisterhood of the cathedral.

Afterwards, Fr. John convened the deanery meeting to discuss the pastoral and administrative issues facing the parishes. Everyone participated in a robust discussion on ways to enhance parish life, strengthen interparish cooperation, and inspire more candidates for ordination and service in the Church. Also attending were Priest Alexey Bocharnikov (rector of St. Nicholas Church in Chester, PA) and several subdeacons, readers, and altar servers.

The deanery sincerely thanks the clergy and faithful of St. Andrew Cathedral for hosting such an uplifting event.