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...]
Volga Deanery Clergymen and Lay Officers Meet in Saratov
By Rev. Aleksandr Furs On January 24, 2021, St. John’s Lutheran Chapel of Saratov in the Volga Region hosted a meeting of clergymen and lay officers from several ELCIR churches in the Volga Deanery as well as ELCIR Bishop Ivan Laptev, Moscow Region Dean Valeri Antipov, and Rev. Leif Camp. The gathering opened with a worship service on the … [Read more...]
Saratov Oblast Minister Sends Christmas Greetings to Dean Panchu
ELCIR Volga Region Dean Rev. Olav Panchu received Christmas greetings from Minister for Domestic Policy and Social Relations in the Saratov Oblast Natalia Troshina, December 23, 2020 "To the Dean of the Volga Region, Senior Pastor of St. John’s Congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Ingria in Russia Olav Panchu "Very Reverend … [Read more...]