Our parish in Ann Arbor, MI celebrates its feast day on the day of St. Vladimir the Great Prince and Enlightener of the Russian Lands: July 15/28. This year, with the blessing of Archbishop Peter, His Eminence Metropolitan Jonah presided at the Divine Services. Clergymen from the Russian and Serbian Churches also participated in the Divine Services: 

VIGIL

Archpriest Gregory Joyce, Rector of St. Vladimir Church

Archpriest Viktor Trotskyy, Rector of Dormition Cathedral in Ferndale, MI 

Igumen Alexander, Deputy Abbot of Sts. Sergius & Herman of Valaam Mission in Houghton, MI 

Priest Moses McPherson, Cleric of St. Vladimir Church

Deacon Ioann Feloniuk, Cleric of Dormition Cathedral 

Deacon Joseph Appling, Cleric of St. George Serbian Church in Monroe, MI 

Deacon Vladimir Pyrozhenko, Cleric of St. Vladimir Church 

Deacon Dmitry Kashchenko, Cleric of St. Vladimir Church 

DIVINE LITURGY

In addition to the above listed clergy:

Archpriest Roman Star, Rector of St. Innocent Church in Redford, MI 

Priest Joshua Genig, Cleric of St. Innocent Church 

Deacon Zacharias Martinchek, Cleric of St. Mary Antiochian Basilica in Livonia, MI 

The parish choir sang the Divine Services prayerfully and beautifully under the direction of Julia Easson, the parish Choir Director.

 Following the Vigil on the eve of the feast a festive meal was held in honor of Metropolitan Jonah at the home of the parish’s Assistant Starosta. Following the Divine Liturgy on the feast day itself, at which a multitude of faithful partook of Holy Communion from two chalices, a cross procession was held, followed by a picnic for all in attendance. Metropolitan Jonah commented favorably on the parish’s growth and activity since his last visit several years ago. In return Fr. Gregory Joyce greeted His Eminence in the name of Archbishop Peter, and thanked him for his pastoral care and his willingness to travel to lead the parish on its Second Pascha. The gathered faithful lingered long into the beautiful Michigan afternoon under the picnic tent recollecting the festive services, and St. Vladimir’s Days past at the parish. With Archbishop Peter’s blessing the parish is completing the construction of a parish cemetery and intends to begin construction of a parish day school later this year. The parish family asks prayers for the success of these projects. 

Pictures of the festvities can be found here!

 A Participant