On September 24 the parish of Sts. Sergius and Herman of Valaam in Atlantic Mine celebrated their patronal feast day. Parishioners, visitors from the local community and far away, and visiting clergy joined in this festive event. The divine services were celebrated in the newly beautified temple, with a new floor in altar, nave and narthex, which by God's grace was finished the day before the feast.
The vigil was celebrated the evening of the feast and was one of the last opportunities in the year to serve the Litia outside in the warm fall weather. The next morning, Divine Liturgy was presided by the dean of Michagan, V. Rev. Archpriest Gregory Joyce, and concelebrate by the rector of the parish Hieromonk Alexander (Reichert). Also joinging were Rev. Antony Alekseyenko, rector of St. Panteleimon in Minneapolis, MN, and Rev. Radomir Plavsic, rector of St. Vasilije in Chisholm, MN.
The Divine Liturgy was followed by a cross procession and a festal trapeza. The food was graciously provided by parishioners and guests.
Fr. Gregory in his homily pointed to the importance of the patronal feast day of a parish and in specific the importance of imitating the patron saints in their zeal for Christ. To our knowledge, this is the only temple outside of Russia that is dedicated to the heavenly saints of Sts. Sergius and Herman of Valaam. Therefore this community has a specific role to witness to their life and dedication to Christ.
