The weekend of August 29^th and 30^th was an inspirational and memorable one for the Orthodox faithful of Bayonne, NJ. Ss. Peter and Paul Parish hosted a visit by His Eminence, MICHAEL, Archbishop of the Diocese of New York and New Jersey. The weekend was a time to gather in prayerful gratitude for the many blessings God bestows on the parish, and to celebrate the joyous event of Father Sophrony’s 25^th Anniversary to the Holy Priesthood.

His Eminence attended both Great Vespers on Saturday evening and Divine Liturgy on Sunday morning. Archpriest Sophrony Royer, Rector of Ss. Peter and Paul Church, welcomed Archbishop Michael, as well as the faithful from other local Orthodox parishes in the vicinity. Divine Liturgy was presided over by His Eminence Archbishop Michael, and was concelebrated by Fr. Sophrony with Archpriest John Fencik of neighboring St. Mary’s Parish, Bayonne (ACROD) and Archdeacon Michael (Suvak).  Subdeacon Mark Federoff assisted in the altar along with the Blessed Subdeacon Philip Benda and Reader Stephen Wasilewski (Parish Council President). At the conclusion of Hierarchical Divine Liturgy, Father Sophrony was presented with a gramota for his 25 years of service to the Holy Priesthood and was given a Palitsa, with the image of the Theotokos on it, by Archbishop Michael.

A celebratory luncheon was held at the Knights of Columbus in Bayonne, NJ. Parishioners, guests, friends, and family of Father Sophrony heard many speeches and words of thanks in honor of Father. Present were His Eminence, Archbishop MICHAEL, Archpriest Joseph Lickwar, Chancellor of the Diocese of NY and NJ, Archpriest Gary Breton, Dean of the Diocese of NJ and Archpriest John Fencik, rector of Saint Mary’s Orthodox Church.