The patronal Feast Day of St. John of Shanghai and San Francisco was celebrated at St. John Mission in Lewisburg, PA, on Sunday July 2, with Bishop Luke of Syracuse presiding.

His Grace arrived for Vigil Saturday evening, and also served Divine Liturgy on Sunday.
 
With Bishop Luke were mission clergy, the Rector Father George Sharonoff, the founding Rector (retired) Hieromonk Claude Vineyard, and Deacon Paul Siewers. Holy Trinity seminarian and Reader John Keller assisted the Bishop along with mission altar servers.

Choir Director Matushka Anna Sharonoff and members provided beautiful singing in the mission’s modest temporary rental quarters, while Warden Luke Soboleski greeted the Bishop together with mission children.

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, instructed them never to lose heart and always to 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.

Father 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.

Following the Vigil, Bishop Luke visited the land where the mission plans to construct its new temple in coming months. The 6-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.

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.