On Saturday the 1st and Sunday the 2nd of July, the feast day of the Holy Hierarch John of Shanghai & San Francisco, Eastern American Diocesan vicar Bishop Luke of Syracuse paid an archpastoral visit to St. John the Wonderworker Mission in Lewisburg, PA, where he officiated the divine services in honor of the mission’s patronal feast.

Following All-Night Vigil on Saturday evening, Bishop Luke visited the land where the mission plans to construct its new temple in the coming months. The six-acre site in Winfield is in the countryside near Lewisburg. Development and site plans have been approved by local officials, and the building permit is in process for construction, with architectural and engineering plans complete.

Prior to the start of Divine Liturgy on Sunday morning, warden Luke Sobolewski greeted His Grace, together with children of the mission.

Concelebrating with Bishop Luke were mission clergy: Priest George Sharonoff (rector), Hieromonk Claude (Vinyard; founding rector ‒ retired), and Deacon Paul Siewers.

The choir sang beautifully under the direction of Matushka Anna Sharonoff in the mission’s modest temporary rental quarters.

The mission plans to construct a new temple this year. Bishop Luke’s words and presence were inspiring to the members in that effort. His Grace, also abbot of Holy Trinity Monastery and rector of Holy Trinity Seminary in Jordanville, NY, instructed them to never lose heart and to always press ahead, and not to be confused by any wiles of the adversary of God in their work, recognizing the spiritual nature of the struggle. He also called on them to remember the example of their patron St. John who, while a monastic, nonetheless can inspire us to devote our hearts to faithful ascetic struggle each day in our homes and work.

Fr. George expressed thanks on behalf of the mission for the bishop’s visit, and the hope that His Grace could return when the temple is complete.

The mission draws members, mainly converts, from the central Susquehanna Valley. Those present at services and at the parish lunch in Bishop Luke’s honor after Liturgy included several inquirers from the local community.

The mission also hosts the Bucknell University Orthodox Christian Fellowship, a weekly Bible Study at the campus bookstore, and weekly catechism/adult education classes.