On June 1, 2025, bishop Ivan Laptev ordained two deacons at Velmema Church in Saransk, Mordovia. Sergei Popov-Pogasy is a minister in Cheboksary, Chuvashia, while Ivan Potyanov is a minister in Saransk.

Both young men are currently studying at the Theological Institute. Ivan’s wife, Ekaterina Wilhelm, is the youth and children’s ministry coordinator for the Uralic Deanery. Sergei’s wife, Veronika Popova-Pogasy, graduated from the Theological Institute a year ago and remains a very active parishioner.

We congratulate our new deacons and their families on this significant occasion!