On May 23, the Sunday of the Paralytic Bishop Luke traveled to St. Petersburg, Florida to represent the Metropolitan at our parish of St Andrew the General.

 On Saturday morning Bishop Luke attended the Divine Liturgy in honor of the translation of the relics of St Nicholas. Every Saturday a newly formed missionary community meets at the parish for Liturgy in English. Father Stephen Zaremba, the head of the mission, served the Liturgy and asked Bishop Luke to speak to the community afterwards about the Monastery, the Seminary and answer questions.

 The talk was followed by the baptism of Bishop Luke’s grandnephew, Luke Marchesini.

 That evening Vladyka attended the Vigil service. The following day a hierarchal Liturgy was celebrated together with the parish rector Archpriest Igor Chitikov, Archpriest Stephen Romanchak, Archpriest Stephen Zaremba, Priest Michael Criscella, and parish deacons Protodeacon Igor Tarasov,  Deacon Stephen Romanchak and Deacon Joseph.

At the conclusion of the Liturgy Bishop Luke congratulated the rector Father Igor Chitikov, who the day before celebrated the 30^th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood and also Father Stephen Romanchak who on that Sunday was celebrating his 45th anniversary. Father Stephen was given a congratulatory citation from our Metropolitan.

 A festive trapeza was during which his Grace again congratulated the clergy on their anniversaries, thanked the parish for their warm hospitality on his first visit to Florida, praised and encouraged them on their missionary endeavors.

Photos courtesy of Mr Paul Pelak