Lackawanna, OH - His Grace Bishop MITROPHAN made a pastoral visit to the St. Stephen Serbian Orthodox Church in Lackawanna, NY, on Friday, April 22-Saturday, April 23. The visit came after the Priests’ Confession, which was held in the St. George Serbian Orthodox Church in Heritage, PA, on Friday. The two-day visit began with Small Vespers on the Eve of Lazarus Saturday, and continued with the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy on Lazarus Saturday. The Kosta Manojlovich Choir sang the responses, as the liturgical texts echoed the Raising of Lazarus and the announcement of the Universal Resurrection. Many faithful from the parish community were in attendance, and a Lenten luncheon followed the service. A special honor for the faithful and the children of the parish was His Grace’s leading of our Vrbice Procession, followed by Great Vespers. Each of the faithful were anointed with the blessed oil by His Grace, and adults and children alike received a small prosfora. The children were delighted to wear the traditional bells during the Procession and Vesper service.

On the occasion of the Bishop’s visit, a date was set for the 100^th Anniversary of the St. Stephen Church, which will take place in October of 2017. All the faithful of the St. Stephen Serbian Orthodox Church thank His Grace for his pastoral love and concern for our parish, and wish His Grace a blessed Holy Week and a glorious celebration of the Resurrection of our Lord.