Priest Benjamin Naasko, his family, and parishioners gathered together for their second Pascha on September 24, 2024. The day was celebrated with Vigil the night before and Liturgy in the morning with a cross procession in the uncommonly sunny fall weather. This was followed by an elaborate feast and ended with ice cream sundaes on the lawn next to the newly installed playground equipment. The number of children attending the parish is growing creating the need for playground equipment, which has been noticed by members of the community who now identify the church as the one with the playground. A grassy area near the playground has been established as a seating area with lawn furniture so parents and others may relax while they watch the children play.

This was a particularly festive way to recognize the changing status of the parish which was briefly a monastery after nearly two decades as a mission. With the change to move the monastic focus of the diocese, the facilities were returned to the parishioners and the parish was reestablished with Priest Benjamin as rector. The parishioners have worked and saved and donated to invest heavily in their aging property with new siding, a restoration of the bell tower, a new playground, and a nearly complete redecoration of the interior of the rectory, which is now converted to parish use. This work is undertaken to care for the one hundred-year-old building before the parish’s thirtieth anniversary in 2025.

Faithful who wish to contribute to the capital campaign for the restoration project of the building may find more information on their website at

https://www.orthodoxkeweenaw.org/give