On Sunday, November 3, His Grace Luke, Bishop of Syracuse, paid an archpastoral visit to St. John of Kronstadt Memorial Church in Utica, NY, where he celebrated Divine Liturgy. The visit of the vicar of the Eastern American Diocese was timed to coincide with the parish’s patronal feast day, which took place the prior Friday, November 1.

Concelebrating with His Grace at Liturgy were: parish rector Archpriest Michael Taratuchin, Priest Dmitri Don, Hieromonk Anatoly (Zilin), and Priest Ephraim Willmarth (clerics of nearby Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville), Priest Daniel Franzen (cleric of the Mid-American Diocese), Protodeacons Joseph (parish cleric) and Alexander Jarostchuk (cleric of Holy Epiphany Church in Boston, MA), Michael Soloviev (cleric of Nativity of the Mother of God Church in Albany, NY), and Nikifor Franklin (cleric of Holy Virgin Intercession Church in Glen Cove, NY).

Upon completion of the service, Bishop Luke delivered a sermon on the life and ascetic struggles of St. John.

After Liturgy, a bountiful luncheon was served for all in the parish hall.