On June 13, 2021, St. John’s Lutheran Church of Saratov celebrated its 20th anniversary! The celebration started with a festive liturgy and a cross procession. The church’s senior pastor Rev. Olav Panchu preached a sermon. The congregation’s first curate Deacon Vladimir Grigoryev and sacristan Aleksandr Yerofeyev assisted in the … [Read more...]
Dean Panchu Attends Celebration of Russia Day
On June 11, 2021, Rev. Dean Olav Panchu of the ELCIR Volga Deanery attended a celebration meeting in the Building of the Saratov Oblast Government in Saratov on the occasion of Russia Day, a national holiday of the Russian Federation (June 12). Rev. Panchu is a member of a council under the Oblast Governor. Post in Russian & photos … [Read more...]
St. John’s Church in Saratov Hosting Online Lutheran Talk Show
One of the ongoing online projects of the ELCIR congregations is The Lutheran Coffeehouse, an online talk show hosted by Rev. Aleksandr Furs, pastor at St. John’s Lutheran Congregation of Saratov. For those who know Russian, click https://www.instagram.com/lutherrussia/ to watch the installments on St. John’s church Instagram channel. Pastor Furs’ … [Read more...]
Ingrian and Finnish Church Leaders Meet in Helsinki
On March 12, 2020, ELCIR Bishop Ivan Laptev, ELCIR Chief Secretary Rev. Mikhail Ivanov, Bishop’s Vicar Rev. Olav Panchu, Rev. Dean Aleksei Kronholm of the ELCIR Karelian Deanery, and Rev. Aleksei Uimanen met with ecclesiastic leaders of The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland and the Diocese of Helsinki. Kind acknowledgments to Chief Secretary … [Read more...]