On July 28, 2021 our parish in Ann Arbor, Michigan celebrated the 40th anniversary of its founding. On the eve of the feast His Eminence, Archbishop Peter of Chicago & Mid-America, led the Divine Services along with the clergymen of the parish:

Archpriest Gregory Joyce

Priest Joseph Towne

Priest Colin Bower

Deacon Vladimir Pyrozhenko

Deacon Dmitriy Kashchenko

The choir sang magnificently on this day and on the feast itself under the direction of the parish Choir Director, Julia Easson, as noted specifically by His Eminence.

On the feast day itself the blessing of the waters took place before the Divine Liturgy, followed by the meeting of Archbishop Peter by the Starosta of the parish, Jack (Aleksey) Mitchell and several of the parish children. In addition to the clergymen of the parish, Archpriest Zivko Kaevich joined the celebrations on the day of the feast. Between the 3rd and 6th Hours Dmitri Mihaliov was tonsured a Reader, and Reader David Borg was ordained a Subdeacon. Both will perform their service at the Ann Arbor parish. Following the Divine Liturgy, at which almost everyone present in the temple partook of the Holy Mysteries, the traditional Cross Procession with the blessed holy water was held under the beautiful Michigan sun. After the Cross Procession and the intoning of many years, Archbishop Peter and the parishioners enjoyed a meal under a large tent set up next to the parish school which is currently under construction.

Archbishop Peter encouraged the parish in their work with the school, noting that the Diocesan Cathedral too is founding a school at the behest of the parishioner families there. Parishioners and visitors lingered long into the beautiful Michigan afternoon discussing the day’s activities and St. Vladimir’s Days past in the 40-year history of the Ann Arbor parish family.

Pictures of the day can be found at this link:

https://stvladimirchurch.smugmug.com/2021/Wednesday--July-28--2021/