Administrator of Patriarchal parishes in the USA officiates at the oldest Orthodox cathedral in Philadelphia

On 13 December 2015, the 28^th Sunday after Pentecost and the commemoration day of St. Andrew-the-First-Called, Bishop John of Naro-Fominsk, administrator of the Patriarchal parishes in the USA, celebrated Divine Liturgy at St. Andrew’s Russian Orthodox Cathedral in Philadelphia together with archpriest Mark Shinn, the rector; archpriest Sergy Lukianov, secretary of the Eastern American diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia; and clerics of the Patriarchal parishes in the USA and the Eastern American diocese.

Attending the divine service were Colonel Roman Bykhalov, air attaché of the Embassy of the Russian Federation to the USA, and Sergey Sadchikov, deputy naval attaché.

After the Holy Communion the archpastor, clerics and parishioners proceeded in the procession with the cross around the cathedral singing prayers to Apostle Andrew.

Archpriest Mark Shinn thanked Bishop John for common prayer on the dedication day of St. Andrew’s Cathedral, the oldest Orthodox church in Philadelphia. Bishop John delivered a sermon and congratulated clerics and parishioners on the commemoration day of their heavenly patron.

After the divine service archpriest Mark Shinn showed Bishop John and representatives of the Russian embassy exhibitions in the parish museum on the history of St. Andrew’s Cathedral and the 70^th anniversary of victory in the Great Patriotic War of 1941-45.

The repast prepared by the sisterhood of the parish for the archpastor, clerics, parishioners and guests followed.