On Monday, June 9, the Day of the Holy Spirit, with the blessing of Metropolitan Nicholas of Eastern America & New York, Metropolitan Jonah (Paffhausen) paid an archpastoral visit to St. John the Russian Church in Ipswich, MA, where he celebrated Divine Liturgy.

Concelebrating with His Eminence were: Archpriests Spyridon Schneider (parish rector) and Victor Boldewskul (rector of Holy Epiphany Church in Boston, MA), Hieromonks Savattey (Ageyev) and Joseph (Kuzemchak; clerics of St. Demetrios of Thessaloniki Monastery in Framingham, MA), and Priest Peter James and Deacon Matthew LaVita (parish clerics).

The service was sung beautifully by the parish choir. The church filled gradually throughout the service, and many of the faithful – including many children – communed of Christ’s Holy Mysteries.

Upon completion of Liturgy, Metropolitan Jonah delivered and congratulated all with the feast.

After the service, a festal luncheon was offered in the parish hall.