“Behold now, what is so good or so joyous as for brethren to dwell together in unity?”

Psalm 132

Orthodox parishes in the Pennsylvania Coal Region have the great blessing and joy this year to restore their tradition of having mission vespers on Sunday evenings during the Great Lent. The first mission vespers was served in Holy Ascension Orthodox Church in Frackville, PA.

Holy Ascension parish, as well as clergy and faithful from other parishes, were honored and delighted to welcome our diocesan Father and Hierarch, His Eminence, Archbishop Mark on this occasion. We are also grateful to our local clergy who participated: Archpriest John Onofrey, who as usual did a great job directing the choir, Archpriest James Weremedic and Priest Joseph Ramishvili, who offered the homily at the end of the service; as well as clergy from other jurisdictions: Archpriest Edward Hughes and Priest Aleksey Paranyuk. It was great joy to welcome faithful from other Orthodox parishes in the area as well.

Following Vespers clergy and faithful, together with the Archbishop, stayed for dinner and fellowship. May God grant many years to all parishioners of Holy Ascension parish who worked hard to prepare this event.

The hope and prayer is that this tradition will live and grow in the years to come.