On March 31, on the Second Sunday of Lent we had a celebration at St. George Church. Priest Igor Tarasov, our Rector served the Divine Liturgy.
During his sermon which followed after the Gospel lesson Fr. Igor preached about sin. He pointed out that in today’s Gospel story our Lord Jesus Christ, before He healed the paralytic, forgave him his sins. It is important to obtain forgiveness of sins.
Fr. Igor said that contemporary world almost lost a concept of sin. “These days, few people think of their personal actions or of their intentions in terms of righteousness or wickedness. Even among us, the Christian believers, the notion of sin is not fully understood. We all like to think of ourselves as the “sinners”, but not in the sense of our unworthiness in the eyes of God, but in the sense that we are not “holy”. And if we are not holy, then we cannot, and do not have to be righteous.”
“Our Christian morality is revealed to us in love. God is Love … A person abiding in God for the sake of love, bears the yoke of the moral law, the law that is born out of love, exists because of love and leads to the realm of love.”
“Therefore, the sin against the Christian moral law is not a formal violation of the supreme will, but a sin against love.That is why, in the words of the prayer before Communion, to sin means to grieve the Holy Spirit.”
“A loving son, not fulfilling the will of his father, is not so much afraid of the failure to fulfill the father’s will, but he fears that he had sinned against the union of love, that he introduced a dishonesty, a lie into this union of love between the father and his son. Adam, when he sinned, first of all, has disappeared from the face of God, because he defiled the bonds of love and was ashamed to appear before the eyes of the Divine Truth.”
The same attitude may be seen in some modern Christians who are so naïve to hope to combine the service of God and to their own whims. They often think that “the Lord is good … He will forgive everything, He will cover everything. I killed nobody, I robbed nobody, and all the rest are just small sins… “
“Remember, dear brothers and sisters: God is a jealous God … He often overwhelms you, often throws you between a rock and a hard place to test the power of your love. But He will never open Himself to you if you are indifferent and if you will serve Him with a cold heart and a cold soul. He won’t  show His Countenance to you if you will be looking for the ways to serve Him in a way most convenient and profitable for you.”
“Beware of the sin … Know that the sin is, above all, a desecration of your heart’s sanctuary, the expulsion of God from the human soul.” – said Fr. Igor.
Following the Liturgy parishioners enjoyed our common coffee and refreshments.

On March 24, on the First Sunday of Lent the Church celebrates Triumph of Orthodoxy. We had a solemn celebration on that day at St. George Church. The Rector, priest Igor Tarasov served the Divine Liturgy of St. Basil the Great. A substantial number of parishioners received the Sacrament of Penance before the Liturgy started.
After the reading of the Gospel Fr. Igor preached a homily. He explained that Orthodoxy means a right or correct teaching. Every teaching can be altered,thus people need a correct interpretation. For the teaching of our Lord Jesus Christ such correct interpretation is Orthodoxy. Basic truth of the Orthodox faith is that God became Man, the truth of Incarnation.And because He took upon Himself our flesh, we can image Him. This teaching was defined by the VII Ecumenical Council.
“Because Jesus being God is also Man, we can picture Him in a human form. Those pictures are the holy icons. We can see God through them.”
“Philip told Nathanael, “Come and see” (Jn. 1, 46): Nathanael was wondering how can “anything good come out of Nazareth” (Jn. 1, 46). In the same way some people can be asking, “Can we worship God who is Man”? Or, “how can we picture God who is invisible?”
These are the questions coming either from those who honestly wish to believe (like Nathanael who was an Israelite with no deceit) or from those who believe incorrectly (like heretics).”
“We Orthodox can answer to both, “Come and see”. Let them come to the Orthodox church and see the holy icons. Let them see our faith in all its beauty. Let them see our services and the people praying the true God incarnate.”
“God did come in an accessible and even human form. The Old Testament Trinity: the 3 men (3 Angels) appearing to Abraham. It is one of our most beautiful icons written by Venerable Andrey Rublev. If God did so to Abraham, why we should not image Him in Jesus Who was a true human being?
Despite the doubts of man (including the doubts of Nathanael) there is a true teaching of Christ saying that God became Man and we venerate His image. We venerate not wood and paint but the One pictured on and by them. And doing so, keeping this Orthodox faith we may see in the future the divine glory, “heaven open, and the Angels ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.” (Jn. 1, 51).” – preached Fr. Igor.

Annual Parish Meeting of St. George’s Church was held on Sunday, February 17, following the Divine Liturgy. Many of the parish members were present at the meeting and the Rector, priest Igor Tarasov presided. Church Warden, Olga Roussanow read the minutes of the last Annual Meeting held in 2012. Due to the absence of the Parish Treasurer Vera Koretz, the Rector reported on financial situation. He informed that although parish income in the year 2012 was relatively high, we had a deficit. It was due to the high expenses, especially connected with renovations done in the church building. The windows were replaced and that project cost us $3,200. Our parishioners and sponsors could not cover those expenses with their contributions. Fr. Igor recommended that Parish should introduce some principles of stewardship and that Parish members should plan their contributions for the church needs. Some other parish issues were discussed.
Same persons were elected for the leadership positions in the Parish. Olga Roussanow was re-elected as the Church Warden and Vera Koretz as Treasurer.

On January 19th, on the feast of the Holy Theophany, or Baptism of our Lord Jesus Christ, our Rector, priest Igor Tarasov celebrated the Divine Liturgy in our temple.
Following the reading of the Holy Gospel Fr. Igor preached a homily. He reminded parishioners of the readings the Church pronounces during the Vespers service on the Eve of Theophany. The first reading from the book of Genesis tells that when God created the universe the world was formless and covered in water. Water is the first or primal element. When Jesus in today’s feast steps into the water, He not only sanctifies the waters of the Jordan but He sanctifies all the creation. In that same reading we hear the story of creation and how the Spirit hovered over the water. Now we see the Spirit come in the form of a dove to reveal the Messiah. And the whole Holy Trinity is made manifest to the world.
The other Vespers reading is from Exodus, the story of the release of the Israelites from the captivity in Egypt. We read how they fled into the wilderness and were chased by the army of Pharaoh. They came to the Red Sea and crossed it in a miraculous way. The waters of the sea parted and the Israelites walked through the sea, but after they passed the sea, the waters came back and flooded the Egyptians. The waters of the Red Sea saved those whom God had chosen, and Jesus had freed them from their sins. In the same way as we rise from the waters of Baptism, we rise as new creations.
This purification is foretold in the Prophet Isaiah, “Come now, let us set things right, says the Lord: Though your sins be like scarlet, they may become white as snow; though they become crimson red, they may become white as wool!” (Is. 1, 18).
Fr. Igor continued his sermon saying, “Today the Creator of all things comes to the earth and comes to be baptized in the Jordan. Jesus Who is free from all sin wishes to be baptized in order to cleanse all of humanity from the enemy of old. The Creator of all is baptized by the hand of a servant, so that He may grant all of humanity purification through water and the Spirit. Today, the one who created all things, begins His ministry that will ultimately end in His death and Resurrection that will complete what is begun today. But this holy mission of Christ will also continue in eternal life prepared for those who will believe and will be baptized. Therefore, let us live up to that great calling for eternal life given to us through the holy Baptism in the name of the Most Holy Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.”
At the end of the Liturgy Fr. Igor conducted the Great Blessing of water and blessed the faithful with the newly sanctified water of Theophany. Parishioners had an opportunity to get the holy water for themselves, as well as to invite the priest to visit their homes.

On January 13th, on Sunday after the Nativity priest Igor Tarasov celebrated Divine Liturgy at St. George Church. On this day the Church commemorates holy relatives of our Lord Jesus Christ, namely St. Joseph the Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary, kong David and St. James, brother of the Lord.
Following the reading from the Gospel Fr. Igor preached a homily about the Saints commemorated on this special Sunday. He especially dedicated his sermon to St. Joseph who was the head of the Holy Family, of the household where our Lord Jesus was born as a man and where the Savior was raised. St. Joseph had a great faith and trust to God, so he accepted his wife Mary being with the child. He further took care of the Mother of God and of the Infant Jesus. St. Joseph protected the Holy Family, protected Jesus. Thus he protected our Savior and the Church. Every Christian man who has a family should imitate St. Joseph in his fidelity to God and family and in his care of the household.
“We should also remember that through Jesus Christ who became man, we became the members of His Family, His household. Thus we should strive to be the worthy members of such a family, so the Lord may accept us into eternal life” – finished Fr. Igor.
After the Liturgy Fr. Igor wished the parishioners a happy New Year, since its celebration according to our calendar is coming tomorrow.
Our parish Warden and Cantor Olga Roussanow congratulated Fr. Igor on the occasion of his coming birthday, and presented the Rector with a greeting card signed by parishioners. The choir sang “Many years” to our pastor.
Celebration continued at our common trapeza.

On January 7th, on Christmas day, St. George’s parish family had a celebration of the Nativity of the Lord Jesus Christ. Priest Igor Tarasov served the Divine Liturgy. After the Gospel lesson he read the sermon of St. John Chrysostom on the Nativity. Following the Liturgy the Rector greeted all parishioners on the occasion of this great holy day.
Our Christmas celebration was continued at the Pier 25A restaurant nearby. During the luncheon the parishioners congratulated Fr. Igor on the occasion of his 23rd anniversary of priestly ordination and sang “Many years” (Mnogaya leta) for our Rector.

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!

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

Sincerely yours in Christ,
St. George Parish Family

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.

On September 23rd, on Sunday before the Exaltation of the Cross, Rector of St. George Church, priest Igor Tarasov served the Divine Liturgy in our temple.

 Fr. Igor preached a homily after the Gospel lesson. He said that the assigned reading from the holy Gospel mentions the events from the Old Testament history. It says that “as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up” (Jn. 3, 14). “Our Lord Jesus Christ recalled that to teach His disciples about His own mission in the world, the mission of salvation. And He compared His mission to the mission of Moses who led the chosen people of God from the Egyptian captivity to the promised land. The Jews were wandering in the wilderness for the long 40 years. But God was taking care of them. He gave them food and water, He provided for His people. But the people complained and regretted that they left Egypt where they had a lot of food. They forgot that they were slaves in that country, and remembered only some good things they used to have there. A punishment for that ungratefulness to God and to Moses came soon. The Israelites came to an area full of poisonous snakes. Those serpents bit and kill a lot of people. Everybody could perish there if God did not stop that. God told Moses to make a copper snake and to raise it on a pillar. God told that any person who would look at the copper snake will not die of the poison.”
“This event is the symbol of what happened at Calvary, and a prophecy of what is going on with the whole human race. Desert is this earthly life. It is full of poisonous snakes. Evil bites any human from birth and up to the last hour of his or her life. Countless snakes surround human life from all the sides. These are the sins and passion that surround us.”
“We remember that when Adam and Eve, our ancestors, committed the first sin, they were tempted by a serpent. And when we may become bit by a snake? When we come into a close contact.  Adam and Eve sinned because they entered into a contact, a conversation with the snake. When we commit sins, we do the same. We converse with the snake… And it bites us with the deadly poison, it pours that poison right into our soul. And there is no cure to any man. No cure, if not a merciful God, who sends us not Moses, but His Onlybegotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.”
“Only if our gaze is turned to Christ, to His Cross, to the copper serpent of our faith, then we get healed. Just as the copper serpent had no poison, so Christ was similar to all of us, being one of us…”
“Let us also remember how such a salvation is actually obtained. It is obtained through the holy Church. Especially through the holy Eucharist. Only the Blood of Christ can heal us from the deadly poison of sin. We are redeemed, we are purchased from the slavery of sin and death by the Blood of Christ shed on the Cross. That Blood we partake in the Holy Church. Holy Communion is a great cure from our sins and temptations. It also works like the copper serpent.”
“Let us then, dear brothers and sisters in Christ, turn our spiritual eyes to the holy Cross of Christ, let us ask for the forgiveness and delivery. Let us remember that God redeemed us, purchased us with great price of His own Blood shed on the Cross. Let us receive His holy Body and Blood in Communion, so we would not die but have life everlasting.”

After the Liturgy our parishioners and Fr. Igor enjoyed delicious lunch. It had been recalled that these days our Rector marks his 5 years of serving at St. George. For this reason parishioners congratulated Fr. Igor at the table and had a toast to his health and success in pastoral ministry.

On September 16th, on the 15th Sunday after Pentecost, Rector of St. George Church priest Igor Tarasov celebrated the Divine Liturgy. Services began at 10 am due to our return to the winter schedule.
After the reading from the Gospel Fr. Igor preached a homily. He reminded parishioners that on September 14 the Church started the New Liturgical year. That date was set because according to the tradition it is a date of creation of the world. Therefore, the Jews also celebrate their New Year at this time of the year.
Explaining the Gospel lesson of this Sunday, Fr. Igor stressed that in this reading our Lord Jesus Christ gave us the main moral principle of our religion: to love God and to love your neighbor. To understand how we should love God, we have to understand how to believe in the true God.
“We have to believe in a God who is Love. For example, in other religions there is not the same god. Buddhists do not have a god: Buddhism is rather a philosophy, not a religion. Hindus believe in many gods, who try and do the strangest things. Muslims believe in a god who rewards warfare and acts of terrorism. Even the Jews whom we consider having the same religious roots as we do, believe in a quite different god, a god who takes revenge, “an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth”. Only the Christian God is the Creator of all and also the God of Love.”
“The second commandment given by Christ is to love our neighbors as ourselves. Christ says that this commandment is like the first one. For if we are called to love the Creator, then we must surely also love His creation, including other people, who are made in the image and the likeness of God the Creator. In this commandment we are also called to love ourselves, not in the sense of selfishness and vain self-admiration, but as a gift of God. The lack of faith in the loving Creator always and inevitably leads to hatred of His Creation, that is, hatred of our neighbors, and then hatred of ourselves.”
To illustrate that statement Fr. Igor recalled that in the 19th century some German philosopher stated that “God is dead”. In the 20st century, within three generations of that man’s death, the leaders of his people had started two World Wars and performed acts of hatred and genocide. The leaders of the Russian people also adopted the thought of this philosopher, and they too carried out acts of hatred of their neighbors, killing a lot of people. And in the 21st century some people may go further and come to a killing of themselves, to a suicide. To avoid that we have to follow the words of the Psalm which says: “Seek God and your soul shall live”. We have to seek God and love our fellow-men. The two Commandments of love are like the sign of the cross where we have to parts: vertical and horizontal. They both have to be straight and long enough. Thus our love of God and love of our neighbor has to be present in our spiritual life. Then we will find God and live forever.
After the Liturgy our parishioners and the Rector enjoyed a delicious trapeza.