On Bright Saturday, April 14, the Administrator of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA, Bishop John of Naro-Fominsk celebrated Divine Liturgy in St. Michael the Archangel Church in Philadelphia, PA.

His Grace was co-served by a many clerics from the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA, including the Rector of St. George Church, Archpriest Igor Tarasov. Clergy gathered for the traditional paschal greeting of their Archpastor.

At the Little Entrance, with the blessing of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill, Bishop John presented the palitsa to the Rector of St . Michael Church, Priest Gregory Winsky. Bishop John also awarded the gold pectoral cross to Priest Joshua Genig. 

Many approached for Holy Communion which was distributed from two chalices.  After the Prayer behind the Ambo, Bishop John read the prayer for the fracturing of the Artos.  Afterwards, the clergy and faithful performed a procession around the entire city block. Many native residents stopped to see the gonfalons, clergy processing singing Paschal hymns. 

Returning to the church, Bishop John thanked the assembled clergy and faithful for traveling many miles to serve and celebrate the Risen Lord together. A banquet was held in the parish hall by the parish sisterhood, sponsored by parishes of the Atlantic States Deanery.