On the September 23/24 2017, the feast of Saints Sergius & Herman of Valaam, the patronal feast of the temple was prayerfully and joyfully celebrated at the monastery in Houghton, Michigan. His Eminence Archbishop Peter presided over the services. Several clergy joined the festivities: Archpriest Gregory Joyce, Dean of Michigan, Protodeacon Alexander Kichakov, Holy Protection Cathedral, Des Plaines, IL, Deacon Andrew Gliga, St. Herman of Alaska, Sunnyvale, CA, Deacon Benjamin Bryant, Holy Transfiguration Mission, Peoria, IL.  During the Divine Liturgy at the conclusion of the anaphora Archbishop Peter ordained Subdeacon Procopius Naasko to the holy diaconate. Fr. Deacon Procopius will serve at the monastery.  After the Divine Liturgy, and the cross procession around the church, clergy and faithful gathered to give thanks at a festival meal at a nearby community hall.  Although around this time the Upper Peninsula is normally in full swing of fall, at this weekend the weather joined into the celebrations with a sunny day and record temperatures for this time of the year around 90F. 

We give thanks to the Lord for his blessing at this second pascha, and pray that in future years even more people will find time to make a pilgrimage to the monastery for the patronal feast day.

Hieromonk Alexander Acting Abbot