On Sunday, August 7^th, the day when our Holy Church celebrates the Dormition of the Righteous Anna, the Mother of the Most Holy Theotokos, Saint George parish in Midland, PA, had the blessing and the honor to welcome our Archpastor, His Grace Bishop Irinej of Eastern America.

The Divine Liturgy was presided over by His Grace Bishop Irinej of Eastern America. Concelebrating were the Very Rev. Protopresbyter Dejan Barac, parish priest, and Rev. Deacon Daniel August of Aliquippa, with the assistance of our newly-tonsured Reader, Jackson Liller, and Reader John Buffalini from Washington, DC.

After vesting and concluding the Proskomede, His Grace proceeded with the Rite of Tonsuring a Reader - Čtec of Jackson Liller, altar server at the Saint George Church. Jackson is the son of Tim and Danielle Liller, the honored Hosts - Kumovi for the last year’s Slava celebration. Jackson showed a great love and devotion to our Church and Orthodox faith serving in the altar and truly deserved to be tonsured a Reader.

His Grace Bishop Irinej, in explaining the Rite of Tonsure, admonished Reader Jackson on what it means to be the servant of the Holy Altar and emphasized the importance of this role in the Holy Orthodox Church.

St George Church was filled with faithful people and the beautiful singing of the Dr Laza Kostich Church Choir, conducted by Joan Biscan, added to the overall beauty of the service.

After the Gospel reading, the beautiful Gospel story from St Matthew about the feeding of the five thousand and the miraculous multiplication of loaves and fishes, Bishop Irinej enlightened the people with his Divinely inspired sermon, in which he spoke about the real meaning of the Spiritual food, which is given to us through the Holy Communion.

Following the Divine Liturgy, all the faithful in attendance received antidoron and a blessing from His Grace.

This blessed gathering continued with the luncheon served in the lyceum of the St George Church, where our Parish traditionally welcomes our guests.

We are forever grateful to our beloved Bishop IRINEJ, and we express our deepest appreciation for his Archpastoral visit!

Eis polla eti, Despota!

Thank God and our patron Saint George for this day.

Many, many years! Mnogaja Ljeta!