Sunday, October 31, 2010

The faithful of Saints Peter and Paul Church (Jersey City NJ) were filled with great joy as His Grace, Bishop +Michael, made his first archpastoral visit to the parish on Sunday, October 31st. The parish rector, Archpriest Joseph Lickwar, was joined by visiting Archpriest Sergei Lukianov (Howell NJ) and Protodeacon Dimitri Timedis in celebrating the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy.

The occasion marked the first archpastoral visit of His Grace to the parish since his consecration and enthronement as ruling hierarch of the Diocese of New York and New Jersey on May 8-9, 2010.

Bishop +Michael presented the award of a Grammota to Father Joseph on behalf of the Holy Synod of Bishops in recognition and gratitude for his many years of faithful priestly service in the Vineyard of Our Lord, and especially to Saints Peter and Paul Parish. Derek Alexis Schmidt, a Graduate of Saint Tikhon’s Seminary and assistant to His Grace, was elevated to Subdeacon during the Liturgy.

At the conclusion of the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy the faithful gathered for lunch and fellowship.