On Sunday, August 27, 2023 His Eminence Archbishop Peter visited his parish in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Vladyka led the Divine Liturgy that day, and at the Divine Liturgy ordained the parish’s Deacon Dmitri Mihaliov a priest for service at the St. Ambrose of Milan Mission in Mackinaw City, Michigan. Fr. Dmitri is a Ph.D. student in Physics at the University of Michigan and will serve in Ann Arbor as he completes his studies this year, traveling to the mission once or twice per month to lead the Divine Liturgy there until he can relocate to the Mackinaw Straits area. One can learn more about the Mackinaw Straits Mission and how to support it at this link: https://tinyurl.com/straitsdonate

Also serving with His Eminence at the Divine Liturgy were:

Archpriest Gregory Joyce, Rector of St. Vladimir Parish

Priest Micah Chisholm, Rector of St. Sebastian Parish in Traverse City, Michigan

Priest Colin Bower, Cleric of St. Vladimir Parish

Deacon Ioann Feloniuk, Cleric of Dormition Cathedral in Ferndale, Michigan

Deacon Vladimir Pyrozhenko, Cleric of St. Vladimir Parish

Deacon Dmitriy Kashchenko, Cleric of St. Vladimir Parish

The parish choir sang beautifully under the direction of Julia Easson. The parish was full to overflowing as the faithful gathered for this significant event from throughout Michigan, even as far as the Mackinaw Straits, nearly a five hour drive from Ann Arbor. Following the Divine Liturgy a meal prepared by the parish’s St. Ksenia Sisterhood was held in honor of Archbishop Peter under a big top tent. The weather was beautiful and many stayed for hours discussing the future of Orthodox Christianity in the state of Michigan.

Pictures of the hierarchal visit can be found at this link: https://stvladimirchurch.smugmug.com/2023/Sunday-August-27-2023/