With the blessing of Archbishop Peter the clergy from the northern part of the Michigan Deanery gathered on Saturday, March 28/April 10, 2021 – the last of the Soul Saturdays of Great Lent this year. The clergy gathering was held at the St. Sebastian Parish in Traverse City. The Divine Services were led by Archpriest Gregory Joyce, Dean of the Michigan Deanery. Also serving were:

Archpriest Michael Carney, St. Herman Parish, Lake Odessa, MI
Priest Benjamin Naasko, Sts. Sergius & Herman Monastery, Houghton, MI
Priest Micah Chisholm, St. Sebastian Parish, Traverse City, MI
Hierodeacon Alexei (Dixon), Sts. Sergius & Herman Monastery, Houghton, MI

At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy Fr. Gregory presented a gift to the parish of a set of festal icons in thanks for hosting the clergy gathering, courtesy of Archbishop Peter and the Holy Virgin Protection Cathedral Bookstore.

Following the Divine Liturgy, according to the practice of the Holy Church on this Soul Saturday, a pannyhida was served. At the pannykhida were included the ever-memorable hierarchs of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia and the Diocese of Chicago & Mid-America, along with the names submitted by the Traverse City faithful of their departed friends and loved ones.

After the pannykhida the gathered clergy shared a lenten meal and discussed issues of importance to the Deanery, including the impending visit of the Kursk Root Icon, the founding of a new Mission in Marquette with Archbishop Peter’s blessing, the beginning of an outreach of the St. Sebastian Mission to the Grayling/Houghton Lake/West Branch region of mid-Michigan, and other issues of importance to those present.

As Archbishop Peter always says, as clergymen our strength is in our unity. During this time of the pandemic it has been difficult for the clergy to gather and to serve together. Thank God for the opportunity that the clergy had to serve together on this day!

God willing, the clergy of the southern half of the Deanery will gather at St. Vladimir Parish in Ann Arbor on April 6/19, 2021 for the annual Deanery Unction.

Pictures of the Divine Services in Traverse City