The feast of St. Ambrose of Milan falls on the day after St. Nicholas day every year, and for this reason many of the faithful are not attentive to this great saint. Yet, in the north of Michigan a community has dedicated themselves to this favorite of God. His feast day was marked by Divine Liturgy on December 7/20. Archpriest Gregory Joyce, Dean of Michigan parishes, led the services on this day. Also participating were Priest Micah Chisholm from the St. Sebastian Mission in Traverse City, Priest Jesse Rimshas from the St. Jacob Mission in Marquette, and the serving priest of the St. Ambrose Mission, Priest Dmitri Mihaliov.

Following the Divine Liturgy a very pleasant Lenten meal was offered to all in attendance. Unsurprisingly for this part of the world at this time of year, snow had fallen the night before. But by the time the Liturgy had ended bright sunshine shone through the windows of Priest Dmitri’s home as all enjoyed fellowship, thanked God for the opportunity to come together on this Second Pascha of the Mission, and made prayerful plans to bring more people to Christ in this far southern part of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.