On May 6th our parish celebrated Patronal fest of the Holy Great Martyr George. This year it fell on the 4th Sunday of Pascha, of the Paralytic. Our Rector, priest Igor Tarasov celebrated solemn Divine Liturgy. He was joined by other clergy who came to celebrate with us despite the Sunday duties at their places of service. The Liturgy was concelebrated by Hieromonk Eutychius (Dovganyuk), Hieromonk Zosimas (Krampis) (both from the ROCOR) and Deacon John Peters from St. Nicholas Cathedral.
Following the reading from the Gospel Fr. Zosimas preached a homily.
Our temple was almost filled with the guests from other parishes, among whom were the youth representatives from St. Nicholas Cathedral headed by Igor Kochan, our friend and benefactor Captain Stelios Tatsis and some parishioners of the other Russian churches of the area.
At the end of the Liturgy the Rector preached a brief sermon about our holy Patron, St. George. He stressed that this Saint has a great favor with the Lord and is honored in all the Orthodox nations, as well as among other Christians. A number of countries, regions or cities have him as their heavenly Patron. It is known that even some non-Christian people honor St. George. For instance, many Muslims come to a monastery in Turkey where they venerate the miraculous icon of the Saint, despite their religion which prohibits veneration of the icons. Fr. Igor congratulated all the parishioners and guests on the occasion of this joyful feast of the Victorious and Wonderworking Martyr George. He also expressed his gratitude to the clergy and lay people who came to share our joy on this special day. At the conclusion the Rector proclaimed a polychronion (singing of the “Mnogaia leta!, “Many years!”) to the hierarchy, present parishioners and guests and all the Orthodox Christians.
Celebration continued on the church property where our ladies and the youth organized a picnic. At this point we were happy to welcome the Rector of the Annunciation Church in Flushing, Archpriest Alexi Ohotin who came after the Sunday service in his own parish. Fr. Alexi joined us at the table and was asked to give a blessing of the trapeza. Everybody enjoyed delicious food, nice company, interesting conversations, as well as singing of the Russian and Ukrainian songs.