On June 9, 2022, in Saratov, Rev. Dean Olav Panchu of the ELCIR Volga Deanery represented The ELCIR at the opening of festivities on the occasion of the 350th anniversary of Czar Peter the Great. The ceremony was held in Pyotr Pervy [Peter I] Square recently created in the city and rallied religious leaders, scholars, workers of culture, artists, … [Read more...]
Dean Panchu Attends Meeting with Local Gov’t
On December 22, 2021, Rev. Olav Panchu, ELCIR Volga Region Dean, attended a meeting of the Council for Relations with Religious Associations under the Saratov Oblast Governor. Rev. Panchu is a standing member of the council. The council members discussed the strategy of the state’s ethnic policy in Saratov Oblast. Natalia Troshina, Domestic Policy … [Read more...]
Dean Panchu Represents ELCIR at State Gala
Rev. Dean Olav Panchu represented the ELCIR Volga Deanery and St. John’s Lutheran Church of Saratov at the gala celebration of the 85th anniversary of Saratov Oblast. In his speech, Oblast Governor Valeri Radayev noted the great achievements of the oblast's residents in the past years and conferred awards. Vyacheslav Volodin, Chairman of the State … [Read more...]
Saratov Gov’t Sends Day of National Unity Greetings to Dean Panchu
Rev. Olav Panchu, Volga Region Dean and Senior Pastor of St. John’s Congregation of Saratov, has received greetings in connection with Day of National Unity (November 4) from the Governor of Saratov Oblast and the Saratov Oblast Minister for Domestic Policy and Social Relations. Original post in Russian & photos … [Read more...]
Congregation of Saratov Celebrates 20th Anniversary
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...]