On the weekend of June 27-29, His Grace joined the Faithful of Ss Peter and Paul Church in Philadelphia in celebrating the feast of their patron saints. During the visit, His Grace also blessed two young men of the parish, Ilia Rubis and Nicholas Schaeffer, to the position of Reader. As the bishop's prayer challenges the candidate, as this is the "first step towards the priesthood,..." 

it befits you, therefore, to read thoroughly the divine Scriptures daily, that those hearing may receive edification and that you, free of all blame at this ordination, may prepare yourself for a higher degree. For by a chaste, holy, and upright life, you shall gain the favor of the God of loving-kindness and shall render yourself worthy of yet greater ministry, through Jesus Christ our Lord, to Whom be glory unto ages of ages. Amen.

Both of them are already leaders in their parish. They have regularly served in the altar since childhood and have recently been elected as alternate members of the Parish Council. Additionally, both are on the team sponsored by the Archdiocesan Theological Student Fund to travel to Albania in a few weeks to assist seminarians there conduct summer camps for young children. May God grant Reader Ilia and Reader Nicholas many years!