Very Rev. Archpriest Michael Taratuchin, Rector
E-mail: frmichaelt@msn.com
Phone: (315) 723-7475

Dear Rev. Fathers, Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

This year of 2008 marks the centenary of the blessed repose of St. John of Kronstadt (+20th December 1908/2nd January 1909). Our parish of ST. John of Kronstadt in Utica, New York, which was founede in 1953, is the very first church in the world consecrated to his blessed memory. As such, our parish will be marking this sacred anniversary with a very special celebration on our parish patronal feast day which will be on Saturday 1st November 2008. The Divine Services will be led by His Grace, Bishop Peter of Cleveland, who is the president of our st. John of Konstadt memorial Fund. The Centenary celebration will include the All-Night Vigil at 6 pm on the evening of Friday 31st October 2008, and an Hierarchical Divine Liturgy at 9 am on Saturday 1stNovember 2008, with Molieben and Procession of the Cross, followed by a festive banquet at the Valley View Country Club on Memorial Parkway in Utica, not far from our church, at 1 pm.

The banquet tickets will be $40 per person and $15 per child from ages 3-12. There will be no charge for children under 3 years old. To place your reservation for this banquet, please contact our Senior Sister Valentina Banziger at (315)733-2833, Matushka Irina Jarostchuk at (315) 732-1432 or myself at the phone numbers above or by e-mail. PLEASE PLACE YOUR RESERVATIONS BY THE 17TH OCTOBER 2008, and make your checks payable to "ST. JOHN OF KRONSTADT RUSSIAN ORTHODOX MEMORIAL CHURCH", which can be mailed to the church address at 1009 conkling ave, Utica, NY 13501-0056. PLEASE NOTE THAT NO TICKETS WILL BE SOLD AT THE DOOR ON THE DAY, as we must have AN EXACT COUNT for the banquet. The clergy vestments will be gold.

We hope that you will be able to join us at this festive and joyous Centenary celebration in our parish.

With much love in Our Saviour, Archpriest Michael Taratuchin, Rector