On Wednesday, November 6, the clergy and parishioners of Our Lady "Joy of All Who Sorrow" Church in Philadelphia, PA, celebrated their patronal feast day.

Coming to pray at Divine Liturgy and share in the joy of the feast alongside parish rector Priest Valery Sukholobov were: Archpriests Serge Lukianov (dean of New Jersey), Luka Novakovic (rector of St. Michael Church in Philadelphia), Liubo Milosevich (rector of Holy Trinity Church in Vineland, NJ), and Milorad Orlic (rector of St. Nicholas Serbian Church in Philadelphia), Priest Gregory Winsky (cleric of Holy Trinity Church in Baltimore, MD), Priest George Kaplanov and Protodeacon Paul Drozdowski (clerics of St. Alexander Nevsky Diocesan Cathedral in Howell, NJ), and Deacon Michael Ardan (cleric of St. Michael Church in Philadelphia).

The parish choir prayerfully sand the divine service under the direction of conductor Elena Shibaeva.

Upon completion of Liturgy, Fr. Serge Lukianov congratulated the rector, parish council, and parishioners on the occasion of their patronal feast day, and noted that the service passed like "a single breath under the protection of the Mother of God." Fr. Serge relayed a blessing to the parish from Metropolitan Hilarion, and thanked the clergy for their joint service, and the choir for their remarkable singing. He also expressed his joy at the fact that, thanks to the efforts of the rector, parish council, and parishioners, the church (built in 1928) has recently been renovated and adorned.

Fr. Valery thanked Fr. Serge and the visiting clergy for their kind words and the joy of their shared prayer.

On behalf of Metropolitan Hilarion, diocesan gramotas were then presented to parish warden Zina Eberhardt, choir director Elena Shibaeva, parish council members Nadezhda Solouhina, Anna Staritsky, and Adam and Nadezhda Stasiak, as well as to Thomas Kalkys and George, Eugenia, and Vasily Sinitsky.

The sisterhood prepared a festal luncheon in the parish hall for the clergy and parishioners, at which their interaction continued.