Monthly Archives: October 2012

St. George needs to replace windows

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St. George Church needs to replace the windows of the temple. Here is the text of our appeal letter to all our friends. We need your help.

October 21, 2012

 Dear Friends!

In 1924, the St. George Church began its life in Bayside.  As you most probably know, the construction of the church building was never completed to display its planned design primarily due to hard economic times, the World War and numerous mundane problems and factors.  Nonetheless, what remained of this original structure now more than ever is in need of maintenance and repairs.
Previously, we have turned to you on several occasions and asked for your participation in the upkeep undertaking.  We now again turn to you for your kind and generous contributions.
At present, six windows need to be replaced.  These windows are of the original wood framed construction.  The frames over the years have deteriorated to such a condition that it is inadvisable to even attempt to open any one of them for the fear of safety.  After acquiring several estimates for this undertaking, we tentatively awarded the replacement project to Village Home Improvements, Inc. at a moderately low cost of $3,500.
The windows will have thermal glass which will to some extent shield the interior of the building from cold and dampness.  And with the harsh winter weather approaching, the new windows will be a welcome acquisition.
We hope for your kind and generous responses and assistance.

Please send your donations to:
Rev. Priest Igor Tarasov
19 Elizabeth Way
Ridge, New York 11961

Sincerely yours in Christ,
St. George Parish Family

 

Fr. Igor visited Ukraine

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Rector of St. George Church priest Igor Tarasov visited Ukraine last month. He is working on his degree in Theology taking courses at the Kiev Theological Academy located at the famous Cave Lavra monastery. Fr. Igor successfully took his final exams and is going to begin writing a thesis.
Being in Kiev Fr. Igor participated in an opening ceremony for the exhibition prepared by the Department of External Affairs of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. It took place on October 5th. The exhibition was named “No to the revolutions creating anti-Christian attitude”. Some diplomats and community leaders of Ukraine and Arab countries were present and had speeches at the ceremony. Fr. Igor was also invited to speak as a representative of the Orthodox Church from America.
In his speech Fr. Igor stressed that American Orthodox community does not share the same view of enthusiasm regarding revolutions which took place in some Arab countries. These social tribulations very often lead to the rise of anti-Christian attitude and hostility towards Christian communities in the Near East. He expressed the solidarity with the Christians suffering in the Arab countries.
On Sunday, October 7, Fr. Igor served the Divine Liturgy at St. Spyridon’s Church in Kiev. He preached a sermon on the readings from the Gospel assigned for that day. He particularly spoke about the Saint commemorated on that day, the holy first-Martyr Thecla. She was a disciple of St.Paul and preferred to live a life of chastity rather than be married. Finally, St. Thecla was martyred for Christ. The Gospel lesson assigned for her commemoration is  telling about the wise and foolish virgins. Fr. Igor pointed out that while the women Saints like Thecla imitated the wise virgins from the parable, many other young ladies imitate the foolish ones. This leads to the loss of divine grace, but people are always able to change and acquire salvation.
On Sunday, October 14, on the feast of the Protection of the Most Holy Theotokos, Fr. Igor was in the city of Kamianets-Podilsky. He concelebrated the Divine Liturgy at the local cathedral of St. Alexander Nevsky.
Our parish priest enjoyed his trip to the old country and brought our parishioners little presents – icons of the different Saints from the Kiev Cave Lavra.