The faithful of the Wilkes-Barre Deanery welcomed His Grace, Bishop DAVID of the Diocese of Alaska to the Veneration of the Cross Mission Service at St. John the Baptist Orthodox Church in Edwardsville on March 23, 2014. Fr. George Volkovinsky, rector of St. Johns, greeted Bishop DAVID as he arrived from attending the spring session of the Holy Synod in Syosset, NY.  Fr. Nick Solak, Dean of Wilkes-Barre, and Fr. John Kowalczyk, Chancellor of the Diocese of Eastern Pennsylvania, offered His Grace prayers and thanks for his visit as a "son of the Diocese." After the service, a Litya was performed in memory of Archpriest Alexander Atty. His Grace, Bishop DAVID greeted the faithful as they venerated the Cross, which was joyful for all. Following the service, a lenten dinner was served in Repella Hall.