On Friday, December 13, on the patronal feast day of St. Andrew Patriarchal Naval Cathedral in Philadelphia, PA, cathedral rector Archpriest Mark Shinn celebrated Divine Liturgy.

Serving alongside side him were: Archpriests Serge Lukianov (rector of St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in Howell, NJ) and Valery Sukholobov (rector of Joy of All Who Sorrow Church in Philadelphia), Priests Gregory Winsky (cleric of Holy Trinity Church in Baltimore, MD), Alexander Tsygankov (cathedral cleric), Nikolai Gulin (acting rector of Life-Giving Spring Icon of the Theotokos OCA Mission in Philadelphia, PA), and Gabriel Souza (cleric of St. Vladimir Memorial Church in Jackson, NJ), and Deacons Eugene Iotov (cathedral cleric), Michael Ardan (cleric of St. Nicholas Church in Chester, PA), Stephanos Bibas (cleric of Joy of All Who Sorrow Church), and Dimitry Lisan (cleric of St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral).

A multitude of the faithful gathered to honor the memory of the church’s Heavenly patron, many of whom communed of Christ’s Holy Mysteries.

The clergy served a short moleben before the icon of the Holy Apostle Andrew the First-Called.

Upon completion of the service, Fr. Mark congratulated the clergy and parishioners with the patronal feast, thanked the visiting clergy for their participation in the festal divine services.

A festal luncheon was then served in the church hall, prepared by the cathedral sisterhood, during which fraternal interaction between the clergy and faithful continued.

***

On Friday, December 13, Priest Joshua Genig (dean of the Central States) celebrated the Divine Liturgy for the patronal feast in St. Andrew Church in East Lansing, MI. Fr Joshua was co-served by parish clerics, Priest Basil Gross (rector) and Deacon Andrew Shauver. A full choir was present to sing, as well as several parishioners who took time off of work and school to be present and receive the mysteries on this, their second Pascha.

This year was especially meaningful, as it was the first time the parish celebrated their patronal feast on the Old Calendar. During his homily following the reading of the Gospel, Fr. Joshua encouraged the parishioners to remember this historic occasion and to be grateful to God that all of their festal celebrations going forward will have particular meaning, as time is now marked for them by the Church and not the world.

After the Liturgy, following the veneration of the cross, a very wonderful, Lenten meal was provided where the faithful and clergy continued the conversation and fellowship on this wonderful feast!