On Saturday, July 7, the feast of the Nativity of the Holy Prophet, Forerunner, and Baptizer of the Lord John, Metropolitan Hilarion of Eastern America & New York paid an archpastoral visit to St. John the Baptist Cathedral in Mayfield, PA, where he led the parish’s patronal feast day.

Concelebrating with the First Hierarch of the Russian Church Abroad at Divine Liturgy were cathedral rector Archpriest John Sorochka, Archpriests David Hritcko (rector of St. Basil Church in Simpson, PA) Basil Micek (rector of Sts. Peter and Paul Church MP in Scranton, PA) and Michael Lepa (acting rector of St. Nicholas Church MP in Wilkes-Barre, PA), Abbot German (Ciuba; rector of St. Stephen Church in Old Forge, PA), Hieromonks Tikhon (Gayfudinov; abbot of Holy Protection Skete in Buena, NJ) and Anatoly (Zilin; cleric of Holy Trinity Monastery in Jordanville, NY), Priest Daniel Franzen (cleric of the Mid-American Diocese), Protodeacons Stephen Howanetz and Gregory Petrochko (cathedral clerics), and Deacons Michael Wengrin (cleric of St. Basil Church), Nathaniel Sorochka (cathedral cleric), Dimitri Krenitsky (cleric of Holy Trinity Church in Vineland, NJ), Michael Pavuk (cathedral cleric), and George Sharonoff (cleric of Holy Protection Mission in Lewisburg, PA). Praying in the altar were Archpriests Claude Vinyard (rector of Holy Protection Mission) and Daniel Geeza (OCA, retired) and Archimandrite Michael (Thier; OCA, retired).

Before the start of Liturgy, Reader Avraam Russo was ordained a subdeacon, and parish altar servers Nicholas Pavuk, Dimitri Sorochka, and John Michael Pavuk were awarded the right to wear the oraria

The parish choir sang beautifully and energetically under the direction of choir conductor Paul (Gary) Brzuchalski.

Upon completion of Liturgy, Metropolitan Hilarion addressed the gathered faithful with a sermon on the life and labors of St. John the Baptist. The protodeacons intoned the triple Polychronion for the hierarchs, clergy, and faithful.

After the service, a bountiful lenten luncheon was served in the parish hall.