November 8, 2011
Philadelphia, PA: Bishop George led the 60th Anniversary Celebrations in the Church of Our Lady, "Joy of All who Sorrow"

On Sunday, November 6, on the feast of the Icon of Our Lady, "Joy of All who Sorrow," parishioners of the Church of Our Lady, "Joy of All who Sorrow," in Philadelphia, PA celebrated their patronal feast day and the 60th anniversary of the parish’s founding by Russian immigrants in 1951. His Grace, Eastern American Diocesan vicar Bishop George of Mayfield, arrived in Philadelphia and served the Divine Liturgy in that parish for the first time.

His Grace was co-served by diocesan secretary Archpriest Serge Lukianov, Priest Eugene Solodky (cleric of St. Andrew’s MP Cathedral in Philadelphia), Priest Gregory Winsky (cleric of St. Michael the Archangel MP Church in Philadelphia), temp. rector Priest Valery Sukholobov, and Deacon Leonid Roschko (cleric of St. George’s Church in Howell, NJ). During the Small Entrance, with the blessing of His Eminence, Metropolitan Hilarion, Bishop George awarded Fr. Valery the nabedrennik. The prayerful singing of the choir, under the direction of Matushka Elena Sukholobov, enhanced the prayerful mood of all those present.

Upon completion of the Liturgy, Fr. Deacon intoned Memory Eternal to all of the rectors, founders, and parishioners of the Church of Our Lady, "Joy of All who Sorrow," who departed this life for life eternal, and then proclaimed the proper Polychronia. Bishop George greeted Fr. Valery, congratulating him and all of the parishioners with the momentous occasion of the parish’s 60th anniversary, and presented the parish a diocesan gramota. Click here to read the gramota in Russian. In response, Fr. Valery thanked Bishop George for his archpastoral visit and asked His Grace’s holy prayers, that the Lord grant fortitude to the parish. A festal luncheon was then offered by the parish sisterhood in the refectory.

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