MOUNT CARMEL, PA [DOEPA]

On November 23-24, 2024, The Afterfeast of the Entry of the Mother of God into the Temple and Feast of the Great Martyr Katherine of Alexandria, His Eminence Archbishop Mark made an Archpastoral Visit to St. Michael's Orthodox Church in Mount Carmel, PA.

On Saturday, His Eminence presided over the service of Great Vespers at St. Michael's Church.

On Sunday, His Eminence celebrated the Divine Liturgy along with Priest Aleksey Paranyuk. The choir was led under the direction of Mrs. Sandra Tosca.

During the Divine Liturgy, His Eminence elevated Priest Aleksey Paranyuk to the rank of Archpriest. Axios!

In his homily, His Eminence spoke about how, as Christians, we cannot "lock people in the past," emphasizing the point that people can change and that repentance is vital for our salvation.

Following the dismissal, His Eminence congratulated Archpriest Aleksey and expressed his archpastoral gratitude to the parish. Archpriest Aleksey welcomed His Eminence and thanked him for his kind words. An icon of St. Michael the Archangel, the patron of the parish, was presented to the newly-illumined Michael, who was received into the Church on Saturday. After the veneration of the cross, a meal was held in the church hall downstairs.

May God grant His Eminence Archbishop Mark, the newly-elevated Archpriest Aleksey, Matushka Natalia and their family, and the faithful of St. Michael's Church many years!

Glory to God for all things!