On Saturday, October 7, St. Thecla Church in Wheaton, MD celebrated its fifth patronal feast day. With the blessing of Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York, First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad, His Eminence, Metropolitan Jonah (Paffhausen), arrived to celebrate Divine Liturgy. St. Thecla Church celebrated its first service on the first day of Great Lent, Clean Monday, in 2019, with the blessing of Metropolitan Hilarion (Kapral; +2022) of blessed memory.

Concelebrating with Metropolitan Jonah were: Archpriest John Johnson (parish rector), Protodeacon Patrick Mitchell (cleric of St. John the Baptist Cathedral in Washington, DC), and Deacon Peter Gardner (parish cleric).

Liturgy was beautifully sung by a combined choir of parish members and several of the many visitors from St. John the Baptist and other local parishes, under the direction of Sarah Petro.

During the Hours, Metropolitan Jonah ordained Reader Maxim Kramer to the subdiaconate.

At the Little Entrance, Fr. Peter Gardner was awarded the right to wear the double orarion.

Metropolitan Jonah delivered a sermon highlighting the sanctity of St. Thecla, her love and devotion to the Lord, and the centrality of chastity to the living of an authentic Christian life. His Eminence also spoke of the love bonding the parish and allowing it to grow, and that God willing that love and commitment to the life of the community would bear fruit and allow the parish to continue to grow and to ultimately find its permanent home.

At the end of Liturgy, gramotas were awarded to Mary O’Brien, Nicolae Anton, and Sarah Petro for their dedicated service to the Church and the building up of the parish. Fellowship continued at a festal meal held after Liturgy, after which the faithful departed, having come together for a joyful, memorable celebration of the Eucharist.