On Sunday, December 4, 2022, the feast of the Entry of the Most Holy Theotokos into the Temple, with the blessing of Bishop Matthew of Sourozh, Temporary Administrator of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA, the Chancellor of the Moscow Patriarchate parishes in the USA, Archpriest Igor Vyzhanov, visited St. Michael the Archangel Church in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he led the Divine Liturgy.
Concelebrating at the service were the Dean of the Atlantic States, Archpriest John Vass; the acting rector of the parish, Archpriest Luke Novakovich; and the Vice-Chancellor of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA, Priest Mark Rashkov.
At the end of the Divine Liturgy, Fr. Igor conveyed blessings and good wishes to the parish from His Holiness Patriarch Kirill and Bishop Matthew, expressing gratitude to the clergy and parishioners for the joy of praying together and for their hospitality.
Over a common meal prepared by the parish sisterhood, a parish meeting was held at which various matters of parish life were discussed. Following the meeting, the clergy met separately with members of the Parish Council. The conversation took place in an atmosphere of mutual respect, in keeping with a sincere desire to work together for the good of the parish.
In the afternoon, Archpriest Igor Vyzhanov and the clergy accompanying him visited St. Andrew Cathedral in Philadelphia, where they met with the rector of the parish, Archpriest Mark Shinn, and the cathedral cleric, Priest Alexander Tsygankov. The guests learned with interest about the history and present-day life of the parish and visited the cathedral museum.
