On August 4, on the 6th Sunday after Pentecost we had a service in our temple celebrated by our Rector, Archpriest Igor Tarasov.
Following the readings from the Scripture Fr. Igor preached a homily. He pointed out that today’s Gospel lesson is telling about healing of a paralyzed man. But before making that man well our Lord Jesus Christ proclaimed that the sins of that man are forgiven.
Fr. Igor continued, “This reading teaches us that our illnesses are caused by sin. Mainly, of course, our infirmities are not because of our personal sins, but rather the effects of the sinful state, a sin that is all around us in the world and to which we are subject.”
“Medical science tells us that many illnesses are the result of bacteria attacking a weakness in our bodies. Such a weakness may be inherited, or perhaps that weakness comes in old age when our bodies began to fail as they wear out. In both cases we may see that illness is caused by a corrupted state of humanity where a spiritual failure causes physical imperfection.”
“On the other hand, a sickness may be the result of overeating or an unhealthy diet. Then again it is a result of sin called gluttony. It may be the result of using of alcohol or drugs. Then it is a sin of drunkenness or debauchery. Some of us get sick because of a lack of physical activity. Then it may be a sin of laziness. Finally, our illness such may also be the result of a state of mind. Then various sins of our mind, sins of thought and heart make us unhealthy. This is why today’s Gospel does not tell us about any particular cause of the man’s illness. But it shows that he was paralyzed not because of bacteria, old age, unhealthy diet or poor mental state, but because his sins were not forgiven.”
“Our body and our soul are very much connected. They both compose a human person. This is why we should always remember to take care of ourselves, to love ourselves. That means to love our souls and our bodies. If our souls are healthy, not burdened by unforgiven sins, our bodies would be much healthier. And on the opposite, if we live in sins and vices, we should not expect our bodies to be well.”
“Today the Orthodox Church honors the holy memory of St. Mary Magdalene – the woman, called by the Lord Himself from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God. Tradition tells us that she was immersed in sin. Scripture mentions that Jesus expelled seven devils from her (Mk. 16, 9). Those devils could be understood as seven deadly sins or vices. After that Mary Magdalene received healing. And she sincerely began a new life and never turned away from the path. She followed Jesus along with His Apostles and served Him. She was faithful to the Lord not only when He surrounded by enthusiastic crowds passed through the cities, winning for Himself the glory of a miracle-worker. She was with Him also when He, humiliated and crucified, hung in torment upon the Cross. This is why the Lord, knowing her faithfulness, appeared to her first, and considered her worthy to be first proclaiming His Resurrection. She announced the news of Christ Resurrection to the Apostles. And later she was proclaiming the Gospel in the world, preached Christian faith to the people, especially in Italy and in Rome. This is why Mary M. deserved to be honored as a Saint Equal to the Apostles.”
Fr. Igor concluded his sermon saying, “Having an example of St. Mary Magdalene and coming to an understanding that our bodily weaknesses are the result of our sin, let us ask the Lord’s help. Let us ask Him to forgive our sins in the holy Mystery of Confession. Let us use that great medicine, that healing Sacrament. Let us also fight our sins and bad habits to be freed from possible sicknesses of the body which may be caused by our wrong behavior. And let us then follow our Lord Jesus Christ to His eternal glory.”
After the Liturgy dismissal the Rector reminded everybody that there was a special collection for the church maintenance fund was taken. He asked the people to be generous supporting the church, especially due to a need to repair the fence and the gate on the parish property.
Following the service Fr. Igor and parishioners enjoyed refreshments at our coffee hour.

On July 28th on the 5th Sunday after Pentecost the Church also celebrated feast of the Holy Equal to the Apostles Prince Vladimir. We had a solemn service at our temple headed by our Rector, Archpriest Igor Tarasov.
Following the Scripture readings Fr. Igor preached a homily in which he greeted parishioners on the occasion of a triple celebration: Sunday remembrance of Christ Resurrection, feast dedicated to the holy Fathers of the first six Ecumenical Councils, as well as the feast of St. Vladimir. The Rector recalled that these days all the Russian Church celebrates 1025th Anniversary of Christianization of Kievan Rus’, a jubilee of our Christianity. In his sermon Fr. Igor compared the first Gospel reading of the 5th Sunday and the historical facts of the spiritual life of the Eastern Slavs before and after embracing Christianity. Fr. Igor said,
“Today’s Gospel concerns casting out of demons from two possessed men. It tells us that the demons entered into a herd of swine and then it tells us of the suicide of those swine. We should note that the people in the country of the Gergesenes keeping the swine were disobeying the Jewish law. That is why they begged Christ to leave their area, practically chasing the Son of God away. That makes us think that the disobedience of these people explains why two of them became possessed”.
“Thus, we learn that disobedience of God leads to misfortune. So as a life without true faith.”
“These days we celebrate an anniversary of the Baptism of the Russian lands. We may see that before becoming a Christian nation the Eastern Slavs living in Kievan Rus’ led a life full of misfortunes, crimes, superstitions and abuses. But after receiving holy Baptism prince Vladimir totally changed. Although many other people of Rus’ in the course of history still sinned, committed crimes and iniquities, the whole mindset of the Russian people changed after the Baptism. Our ancestors became a part of the European, Christian world, of the Christian civilization. God also blessed the Russian lands by allowing them to flourish under the rule of the Orthodox tsars and emperors. But when the Russian people turned away from the true faith, life in the country became full of sorrows. Famine, wars (one of which was fratricidal), abuses, persecutions of the different social classes, economical problems – all these misfortunes fell upon the Russian land and its inhabitants.”
“But the lesson of today’s Gospel is also important for every nation. If a nation lives in true Christian faith, cherishes right values and obeys the God’s law, then it enjoys a relatively good and prosperous life. It becomes blessed by God. But if a nation lives in the darkness, it suffers from many misfortunes. Such a darkness can be either paganism or atheism or any false religion. Nations living with the false beliefs, with the wrong values become corrupted by sins and iniquities; they experience social tension, wars, economic problems, abuses and crimes. They resemble those swineherd of today’s Gospel who felt sorry for the swine perished in the lake and begged the Son of God to leave their city.”
Fr. Igor concluded his homily saying, “Therefore, let us learn from today’s Gospel to be faithful to God, to obey His law and to cherish the true moral values given to us by the Lord. Let us also follow the example of the Holy Equal to the Apostles princes Vladimir and Olga who enlightened Eastern Slavs with Christian faith. Let us remember that their own lives changed after embracing Christianity. Life of the whole nation of Kievan Rus’ changed after becoming a Christian country. Let us spiritually belong to that Christian family held by the holy Russian Orthodox Church, a family born from the baptismal font of St. Vladimir. In this family we will be blessed by God, protected by the Most Holy Theotokos, by the intercession of the Saints. And further we may become saved and inherit eternal life promised to those who know the true God and His Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.”
At the end of the Liturgy Fr. Igor greeted our Warden and Choir director, Olga Roussanow on the occasion of her past name day. A “Mnogaya leta” hymn was sung in her honor. Then priest and the altar servers performed an office of glorifying in front of the icon of St. Vladimir, singing troparion, kontakion and magnification in honor of this Saint.
After the service parishioners enjoyed delicious food, including Georgian meals prepared by the Kay family. Fr. Igor greeted Olga Roussanow at the table and proposed a toast to her past name day celebration.

Our Rector, Archpriest Igor Tarasov is very glad to share good news of his achievement with the parishioners and friends of St. George Church. He recently completed his studies at Kiev Theological Academy in Ukraine. On June 7, 2013 Fr. Igor successfully defended a thesis in Church History before the Academic council and was awarded a diploma with honors.
Graduation ceremony took place in Kiev Cave Lavra on Friday, June 14. A prayer service of thanksgiving was celebrated by the Academy Rector, His Eminence, Anthony, Metropolitan of Boryspil. Following the service His Eminence had an inspiring speech about the tasks and mission of the educated clergy of the Orthodox Church. Then graduates received their diplomas along with the blessing of the Metropolitan.
Upon his return to the United States Fr. Igor was congratulated by His Eminence, Archbishop Justinian. Our pastor was also greeted by our parishioners who welcomed him back at our Sunday Liturgy on June 30 and a coffee hour which took place after the service.

On May 26, on Sunday of the Paralytic we had a celebration at our St. George Church. It was headed by our Rector, Archpriest Igor Tarasov. Fr. Igor returned after a two week trip to Kiev, Ukraine.
Following the reading from the holy Gospel the Rector preached a sermon. He discussed the miraculous healing of the paralytic performed by our Lord Jesus Christ. In particular, Fr. Igor pointed out that the state of the paralytic reminds us of the state in which the whole human kind was living before Christ. It was due to sin.
Fr. Igor said, “The human kind was spiritually paralyzed. It needed a Savior, a great Healer. But who could become such a Healer, such a Savior? In many legends and myths the people whom we call the Gentiles thought that it should be a great man, a hero. Other people, the Jews, who believed in one God and had a prophecy of the Messiah, also believed that such Messiah should be a human person. However, it was impossible for any man because human kind is sinful. It could be done only by God, but God willed to do it by becoming also a Man.”
“The whole attitude of waiting for a man, for a hero to save is reflected in today’s Gospel. The paralytic says, “Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up…” (Jn. 5, 7). He put his trust on men and he was unsuccessful for many years. He should have learned from the Scripture saying, “Do not put your trust in princes, in the sons of men, in whom there is no salvation” (Ps. 145, 3)”.
“Jesus was the Son of God, thus He could help the paralytic. So, He can help all the people in need, in sufferings, in pain. For He even conquered death.”
“On the other hand, the people who follow Christ, who are united with Him, can also become the partakers of His power. They continue His miracle working and the mission of salvation. In today’s Epistle we heard that Holy Apostle Peter was able to heal the paralytic also. And he was able to raise a recently dead young woman. St. Peter healed by the name of Jesus Christ (Acts 9, 34). And it is not accidental that today’s Epistle mentions that the followers of Christ were already called “Saints” (Acts 9, 32). People dedicated and belonging to God are saints. Such people are able to conduct the divine grace and the will of God. If we put our trust on God, He can act through such men.”
Fr. Igor concluded his homily saying, “Let us put our trust in God. Let us be faithful to our calling as Christians. Let us strive for being the partakers of our Lord’s grace and the conductors of His power. Let us also acquire this power in the Church where we can meet the people dedicated to God, the Saints of our days. The Church is our House of mercy, our healing place, a place of God’s graces. Let us belong here and become a part of our Lord’s Resurrection.”
After the Liturgy Rector and parishioners enjoyed delicious meals at our common coffee hour.

On May 6 the Church commemorates Holy Great Victorious Martyr George. It is a Patronal feast of our Parish.This year it fell on the Bright Monday, the second day of Pascha.
St. George parish family had a solemn and beautiful celebration. It was headed by our Archpastor, Most Rev. Justinian, Archbishop of Naro-Fominsk. His Eminence arrived at 10:30 AM and was greeted by our Parish Warden Olga Roussanow at the entrance to the temple. Archbishop Justinian entered the church where he was met by the clergy. He then celebrated solemn Divine Liturgy. The Liturgy was concelebrated by our Rector, priest Igor Tarasov; Representative of the Russian National Council at the UN, archpriest George Roshchin; Chancellor of the Patriarchal Parishes, hegumen Nikodim (Balyasnikov); Secretary of the Archbishop, archpriest Eugene Goncharenko; clergy from the ROCOR: hieromonk Eutychius (Dovganyuk), hieromonk Zosimas (Krampis), and priest Aleksiy Paranyuk; cathedral protodeacon Igor Panachev and deacon Rodion Shamazov.
At the Little Entrance Archbishop Justinian commending the great merits of our Rector, priest Igor Tarasov in his service to the Holy Church elevated him into the rank of an Archpriest.
Before the rite of the holy Communion archpriest George Roshchin preached a brief sermon about the life and endeavors of St. George.
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 other Russian and Greek churches of the area.
At the end of the Liturgy the clergy headed by His Eminence, Archbishop Justinian had a procession around the temple singing Paschal hymns. Archbishop blessed faithful with holy water. Following the Liturgy Most Rev. Justinian said a few words about our holy Patron, St. George. He also commended Fr. Igor and our parishioners for the continuing support of the Parish and preserving the church life in such difficult circumstances. He then congratulated all who celebrated their name day and proclaimed a polychronion (singing of the “Mnogaia leta!, “Many years!”) to them.
Celebration continued on the church property where our ladies and the youth organized a picnic. Our Rector, Archpriest Igor had a toast to the honor of His Eminence, Archbishop Justinian. He said that we all should attempt to imitate St. George who was victorious because he was following the greatest Victor, our Lord Jesus Christ Who was risen from the death conquering death and evil. As a small flock, we still have a hope to be victorious by the protection of St. George and by the power of the Risen Christ, as well as being under the omophorion of Archbishop Justinian whose name contains some hints of the victory. Holy king Justinian, the Archbishop’s patron, was a victorious and successful ruler. In addition, the Archbishop’s secular, baptismal name was Victor. We then hope that with such a victorious Archpastor we may be successful in our religious and parish life.
Everybody enjoyed delicious food, nice company, interesting conversations, as well as singing of the Russian and Ukrainian songs.

On May 5 of this year 2013 all Orthodox Christians celebrated the greatest holy day, the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, Holy Pascha.
Celebration at St. George Church began at 11:30 PM on Saturday, May 4. The church’s Rector, priest Igor Tarasov officiated at the Midnight service at the Lord’s Tomb and transferred the Shroud to the altar.
Right after midnight joyful Paschal celebration began. The priest assisted by the altar servers lead faithful in the procession around the temple. At the end of the procession everyone stood in front of the closed church doors where Fr. Igor began Resurrection Matins and proclaimed the Easter greeting, “Christ is risen” in Slavonic, English, Greek and Georgian languages. Faithful responded and sung Paschal troparion. Then the priest opened the doors of the temple and faithful entered into the church.
After Matins priest Igor Tarasov served the Divine Liturgy. The Gospel lesson was traditionally read in several languages, namely in Greek, Slavonic, English, Serbian, Georgian and Spanish. Following the Gospel reading Fr. Igor proclaimed catechetical sermon of St. John Chrysostom on Pascha.
After the Liturgy the Rector greeted the people on the occasion of the greatest Christian feast and blessed Easter food.
Rector and parishioners continued their celebration of Pascha at the tables where they had an opportunity to enjoy delicious meals after the long time of Lenten restrictions.

                   CHRIST IS RISEN!              ХРИСТОС  ВОСКРЕСЕ!

During the Holy Week we had two services in our church. On Holy and Great Thursday, May 2, Rector of St. George Church, priest Igor Tarasov served Vespers with the Divine Liturgy of St. Basil the Great. This is the day when we commemorate the Last Supper and institution of the holy Mystery of the Eucharist.
On Holy and Great Friday, May 3, Fr. Igor served Vespers with the procession of the Shroud. Following the exposition of the Shroud in the middle of the church, the Rector preached a sermon about the holy Passions of our Lord Jesus Christ. He pointed out that sometimes we are tempted to think that Jesus suffered not as much as some people suffer from different diseases or tortures. These thoughts come into the minds when we see human sufferings. We should then remember that we all are sinful, and sufferings are the result of sin. But Christ was without sin. Yet He underwent terrible and humiliating sufferings. Even the thief who was crucified along with Jesus understood that. If one thief reviled Christ, another one whom we call the “wise robber”, rebuked his partner and said, “Do you not even fear God, seeing you under the same condemnation? And we indeed justly… but this Man has done nothing wrong” (Lk. 23, 40-41). “Therefore, let us understand that these were the sufferings of God and the sufferings of an innocent Man. And, understanding that, let us appreciate what God has done for us.” – said Fr. Igor.
After the service of Vespers faithful venerated the shroud. The priest then prayed over the Lord’s tomb reading the Compline along with the Canon of Christ’s burial.

On April 28 we celebrated Palm Sunday which is the feast of the Entrance of the Lord into Jerusalem. Our Rector, priest Igor Tarasov celebrated solemn Divine Liturgy at St. George’s Church.
Before the celebration of the Hours Fr. Igor conducted the Office of joining the Orthodox faith of Myrna Flora who expressed a desire to convert to Orthodoxy. She publicly renounced the errors of the Roman Church and received the Mystery of Chrismation taking the name Anastasia. Fr. Igor congratulated Anastasia Flora on her embracing the holy Orthodox faith.
After the Hours and before the Liturgy Fr. Igor blessed the pussy-willows and distributed them to the parishioners. Faithful present at the Liturgy were holding the blessed branches resembling the people of Jerusalem who greeted our Lord Jesus Christ entering the holy City.
Following the reading from the holy Gospel priest Igor preached a homily. He said,
“Today is a great and glorious feast, the Entrance of the Lord into Jerusalem. It is a joyful Church celebration. But today Christ also enters the path of His sufferings. And among those terrible sufferings of the Lord we often do not consider one – His feeling of loneliness.  Dreadful loneliness overcame Jesus during all the days of Passion week. We may say that God cannot feel lonely; God is a self-sufficient Being. But Jesus was also a Man, thus He could feel loneliness. The loneliness begins with a misunderstanding; the people expect that the Lord’s entry into Jerusalem will be the triumphant procession of a political ruler, of a leader who will free His people from oppression. The loneliness will develop further into the dreadful feeling of not being understood even by His disciples. At the Last Supper when the Savior talks to them for the last time, they will be in constant doubt as to the meaning of His words. And later when He goes into the Olive Garden before the fearful death, His closest disciples fall asleep. And the greatest  loneliness of Christ will be on the cross when He will cry out, “My God, My God, why You have forsaken me?”
“During the coming days we will be not just remembering, but spiritually present at Christ’s Passion. We shall be part of the crowd surrounding Christ and the disciples and the Mother of God. As we hear the Gospel readings, as we listen to the prayers of the Church, as one image after another of these days of the Passion passes before our eyes, let each one of us ask himself the question, “Where do I stand, who am I in this crowd? A Pharisee? A Scribe? A traitor, a coward? Who? Or do I stand among the Apostles?” But they too were overcome by fear. Peter denied Him three times, Judas betrayed Him, John, James and Peter went to sleep just when Christ most needed human love and support; the other disciples fled; no one remained except John and the Mother of God. Where do we stand?”
“These questions concern the state of our soul. But these questions can be addressed to our everyday behavior, our everyday choices and preferences during this coming week. Are we going to come to church and participate in all services [ in our parish they are minimized……], or we will not? Let us be as babes and sucklings, let us put away our worldly cares and free ourselves from our laziness, let us be with the family of God, with the Mother of God and St John, and follow Christ to the Cross, so that then we can follow Him to His Resurrection, to Victory and Triumph, and so be resurrected in spirit together with Him. Amen.”
Many people present at the Liturgy received the Mysteries of Penance and holy Eucharist.
After the Liturgy the Rector and parishioners enjoyed the meals at our coffee hour.

On April 21, on the Fifth Sunday of Lent, we had a Sunday service in our church. The Liturgy was celebrated by our Rector, priest Igor Tarasov.
Following the reading from the Gospel Fr. Igor preached a sermon. He said:
“On the Fifth Sunday of Lent we hear again, for the second time, that our Lord Jesus Christ is foretelling His death and sufferings. In this way we, little by little, are being prepared for the days when we are going to commemorate the holy Passions of the Lord. These days are coming soon. Next Sunday will be the beginning of them when we will celebrate Entry of our Lord into Jerusalem. In a similar way the Lord was approaching Jerusalem when He spoke to His disciples in today’s Gospel lesson. The Lord says, “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of God will be betrayed…” (Mk. 10, 33). We are also going up to Jerusalem, we do it in a spiritual way. Our final destination is High Jerusalem, the Kingdom of God. But in time our destination is holy Pascha, feast of the Resurrection of Christ.”
“Today’s Gospel is also telling us about the difference between the ideals of the Christian teaching and the ideals of worldly life. The Lord rebuked His disciples, James and John who wished to be given the seats closest to the Lord in His Kingdom. He said to them, “Whoever desires to become great among you shall be yours servant. And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all” (Mk. 10, 43-44).
“Today we also honor Venerable Mary of Egypt. She was a great sinner who became a great Saint. There is no such thing as sinless life, but there is no such sin that cannot be forgiven if the sinner repents. Mary being a harlot for 17 years repented and became a greatest woman-Saint… The life of St Mary of Egypt teaches us that the true and everlasting values are quite different from those of the world. The world is looking for pleasure, for possessions, for money and power, but St Mary had no money, no property and no power in the world. Today’s Gospel confirms the way of life of St Mary, for it says that those who wish to be great must be servants. This is the opposite from all the ways of this world. But our Lord preached this and St Mary lived by this.”
“St Mary of Egypt is one of the greatest women Saints. The use of this word ‘great’ could sound strange. In our worldly life we often speak of ‘great politicians’, ‘great warriors’, great movie stars’, ‘great sportsmen’. But the Church calls St Mary of Egypt ‘great’ and all the centuries after she lived we ask for her prayers, but not for prayers of any politician or general or movie star or sportsman. That is because she made a right choice and lived according to the everlasting values.”
Fr. Igor concluded his sermon saying, “As we approach the days of the holy Passions of Christ, the feast of the Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem, let us also think of the words of the Mother of God, which led Venerable Mary of Egypt to her salvation through repentance and her greatness: “If you cross the Jordan, you will find true peace”. These mysterious words are also addressed to us, for we are looking for our true peace. We may find it only if we ask the Mother of God and St Mary to guide us. And then we shall find our own ‘entry into Jerusalem’”.
“Holy Mother Mary, pray to God for us! Amen.”
After the Liturgy we enjoyed our common coffee hour.

On April 7th the Church celebrates feast of the Annunciation of the Most Holy Mother of God. This year it fell on the 3rd Sunday of Lent, Sunday of the Veneration of the Cross. On that day priest Igor Tarasov, Rector of St. George Church served the Divine Liturgy in our temple.
Following the Gospel reading Fr. Igor preached a homily. He pointed out that the two lessons from the Gospel appointed for this double celebration sound different. One reading is telling about the Annunciation, bringing a good news to the Blessed Virgin Mary that She is going to be the Mother of the Savior, and that the world will be saved. Another reading is telling us about the need to bear the cross. It seems like we have good and bad news. How can we reconcile them?
Fr. Igor said, “Let us take a look at the Cross. It has to lines, vertical and horizontal. The vertical line means that God wishes us to ascend into heaven and He Himself for that reason descended to the earth. He became Man, He suffered for our salvation, He died on the Cross, He was buried and He even descended into hell. All for our salvation, for our ascension into heaven. There is also a horizontal line of the cross. It means that we have to follow Christ in our lives. We have to take up our cross. We have to adhere to His words, to His teaching, to be faithful to Him. That will make us able to ascend into heaven. The cross is a sign of our cooperation with God.”
“So, the bad news about our cross is not so bad. It is actually good. Because after the sufferings of the cross always comes a victory of the Resurrection.”
“On the other hand, what is going to happen if we will not wish to accept this news of today’s second Gospel and will not take up the cross? If we refuse to suffer for Christ…. Then we would suffer anyway. Look at the people who do not wish to be good Christians, true believers, who live in sin and are not ashamed of that. Are they happy? Are they blessed? They suffer from different kinds of problems and illnesses. And at the end they risk to be condemned to the eternal suffering in hell.
The Rector continued, “But let us not look at those miserable souls. Let us look at our today’s celebrated Person, so dear to every Christian! Let us look at the Most Holy Theotokos. She also accepted Her own cross. She said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to Me according to your word.” (Lk. 1, 38). It was a sacrifice to serve the Lord, to be His Mother. It was an enormous cross… And She was not ashamed of the word of the Lord.”
“But in accepting this cross of sacrifice, the Mother of God also accepted the approaching Cross of Victory of Her Son.”
At the end of the service the priest came out to the middle of the church to sing a glorification to the feast and to venerate the cross.
Following the Liturgy parishioners enjoyed coffee and refreshments.