07/11/2026
Dear Brothers and Sisters, Parishioners and Friends of Our Parish,
As we prepare to celebrate the Feast of the Holy, Glorious, and All-Praised Apostles Peter and Paul, the patronal feast of our church, I would like to share a brief reflection and ask for your help.
The Apostles Peter and Paul were very different people. St. Peter was a simple fisherman from Galilee, a man of sincere faith, warm heart, and at times an impulsive temperament. St. Paul was a highly educated Pharisee, raised in the strict traditions of his people and well versed in both the Law and Greek culture. One came to Christ after leaving his fishing nets behind; the other spent many years persecuting the Church. They came from different worlds, yet Christ made them one. That is why St. Paul proclaims: βThere is neither Jew nor Greekβ¦ for you are all one in Christ Jesus.β
These words are especially meaningful for us here in America. Our parish is called to bring together people of different nationalities, languages, and cultures. We all cherish our cultural heritage, but even more, we must cherish the unity that Christ gives us. Our heavenly patrons, the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul, remind us that the Church is open to everyone, regardless of nationality, culture, or language.
That is why I would like to ask something of all of you.
For many years, we were not able to celebrate our summer patronal feast as fully as we wished. The heat of July made it genuinely difficult, and many of us remember how challenging it was to remain in church during the services.
Now, thanks to the generosity and sacrificial love of our parishioners and benefactors, thanks to every single person who contributed, we finally have air conditioning in our church.
It may seem like a simple practical improvement, but it is also an offering to God. It makes our church more welcoming and comfortable for everyone: for our elderly parishioners, for families with young children, and for those visiting our parish for the very first time.
Now we have no reason for the greatest feast of our parish to pass quietly. On the contrary, it is our responsibility to restore the beautiful tradition of celebrating our patronal feast with the joy and dignity it deserves.
So tomorrow, please come to the Divine Liturgy, and invite others to join you for worship and for our festive parish picnic afterward. And please, donβt come alone. Invite your friends, neighbors, coworkers, and relatives. For someone you invite, this may become their very first encounter with an Orthodox church and, more importantly, with Christ Himself.
May the prayers of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul help our parish always remain a place where there are no βinsidersβ or βoutsiders,β but one family united in Christ.
Amen.
With love in Christ,
Fr. Julian Ryabtsev
