On May 14, on the Sunday of the Samaritan Woman, we had a nice liturgical celebration in our temple. Rector of St. George Church, Archpriest Igor Tarasov served the Divine Liturgy. After the Gospel lesson he preached the following homily:

“Dear brothers and sisters in Christ! Today we heard a pretty long Gospel reading containing a lot of thoughts and instructions from our Lord Jesus Christ Himself when He spoke with the Samaritan Woman and later with His Disciples. In that Gospel lesson, we can clearly see how our Lord Jesus Christ combined two natures, human and divine. We see that as a human being, He could become tired, thirsty and hungry. The Gospel tells us that Jesus was thirsty and He asked the Samaritan Woman for drink. On the other hand, we see that He is also divine. Living as God in eternity, He knows the present, past and future of all. Thus as God He knows that the Samaritan Woman has already been married five times and that at present she is living in sin with another man. Also He tells her that He can give her “living water’” from an Eternal Well, and He tells the disciples that His “food is to do the will of Him that sent Me” (Jn. 4, 34)”.
“As a man, Christ was a Jew, and His disciples were surprised to find Him conversing not only with a woman, but with a Samaritan Woman. A Jew would never speak with a Samaritan, especially with a Samaritan Woman. It is mentioned in today’s Gospel that “Jews had no dealings with Samaritans” (Jn. 4, 9)”.
“As God, however, Christ does not hesitate to talk to those who are able to accept Him as the Messiah, for the mission of Christ is universal. He says that “salvation is of the Jews” (Jn. 4, 22), but this salvation is only for those who accept Christ, and not many Jews accepted Him. According to the Jews, the Samaritans were heretics; they had rejected the importance of Jerusalem and much of the Old Testament, including the Prophets; they had confused pagan idolatry with the Old Testament. On the other hand, the Jews had rejected Christ. The Jews turned the truths and revelations of the Old Testament into a dry legalism and an arrogant racism. They had denied that Messiah, a Jew as a man, could, as God, come for the salvation of all the nations. It is that ideology which still to this day insists on what you may call “an ownership of God” – the Jews claim that they own God and that God owes to them because He proclaimed them a chosen people. The Jews had kept the letter of the Law but had rejected the spirit of the Law. And without the Spirit they were unable to recognize Christ”.
“The Samaritans had rejected the letter of the Law, but some of them, at least, were open to its spirit, for they were open to Christ, the Word of God who gave the Law. If the Jews rejected Christ, the Samaritans, as we heard today in the Gospel, kept Him with them for two days and many believed in Him (Jn. 4, 40-41). And when our Lord returned from Samaria to Judea, He had to say that “a prophet has no honor in his own country” (Jn. 4, 44)”.
“Dear brothers and sisters! Today’s Sunday is the one following Mid-Pentecost, the feast that stands half-way between feasts of the Resurrection and of the Descent of the Holy Spirit. At Pascha the great truths of the Church are being revealed – that Christ is both God and man, that He is crucified and risen from the dead. However, these truths, may remain abstract until at Pentecost we understand their inner meaning, their implications for our daily life. By the coming of the Holy Spirit, these truths become living, and we worship Christ in spirit and in truth. Thus the Church reads to us the words that, “the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth” (Jn. 4, 23)”.
“And this is why this world still continues today, why the world has not yet ended. Until the Gospel of Christ has been preached in spirit and in truth, that is, in Orthodox manner, in all lands, throughout the world, the world cannot end. For as long as there are new Samaritans, new nations, new tribes to hear the Truth, as long as there are people who can still potentially become Orthodox, the world must continue, for there is harvest still to be reaped (Jn. 4, 38)”.
“Dear brothers and sisters! Let us pray that we too like the Samaritan Woman may bring others to the Church, testifying like her to the Divinity of Christ, becoming reapers of that which we have not sown”.

The choir director prayerfully performed the Exapostilarion and the Aposticha of Pascha during the time of preparation for Holy Communion.

After the dismissal of the Liturgy the Rector congratulated our ladies on the occasion of the Mother’s Day proclaiming the traditional Polychronion to them. Then he also greeted Tamara Gusnezow on her name day proclaiming the Polychronion and handing her the Theotokian prosphora.

On May 7, on the Sunday of the Paralytic, Rector of St. George Church, Archpriest Igor Tarasov celebrated the Divine Liturgy in our parish temple. After the Gospel lesson he preached the following homily:

“On this Sunday, one among the Paschal season Sundays, the Church wishes us to reflect upon a miracle of healing a person who suffered from paralysis for 38 years. He was near the pool at Ship Gate in Jerusalem, famous for healing, but could not be healed because there was no one to help him enter the water of this pool. In Slavonic language this paralytic is called the “relaxed one”, and this holiday is called Sunday of the Paralytic, of the “relaxed man”. We should remember that in Lent we also heard the Gospel story of another paralytic – whom four people brought to Christ. And today we hear about a paralytic, which no one helped. He himself explained this to Christ when he said: “I have no man to put me into the pool” (Jn. 5, 7). Only our Lord Jesus Christ was able to heal this man”.
“This paralytic is the image of our souls. We are near the most healing font. We have a great source for our healing and for our salvation. We have the Law of God. We have the Commandments of God. We have the Holy Church. And we are close to all of it. But, as it often happens that despite all that we have, we cannot take advantage of it. We are always missing something. It is like that paralytic said: “I have no man to help me”!”
“The Holy Church tells us about this miracle, so that when we see the paralyzed, relaxed state of our souls, when we see sins overwhelming us again, we do not lose heart, but we knew that we have a Man who can save us. We have not just a man, we have Christ the God-man, who can, not just once a year, like it was at the Sheep Gate pool, manage to heal someone, but who is able to heal constantly every man who turns to Him. He saves him from death, saves from sin, heals his paralyzed soul. And He makes him able to walk again glorifying God. Look what the Lord said. He did not simply say, “I heal you”, but He said: “Arise, take up your bed and walk” (Jn. 5, 8). That means, take up those same stretchers on which you used to lay, on which you were carried, now you carry them!” Why did the Lord say so? Because now that person who was lying on these stretchers for thirty-eight years, began walking himself, and carrying those stretchers and showing it to everyone, he began to preach about the Lord, preaching about Christ the Savior in a visible way. Everyone saw how he used to lay on a stretcher, and now he himself walks and preaches about Christ”.
“Dear brothers and sisters! This is what we are often lacking. We need to preach about the Savior and our Lord Jesus Christ by our Christian life. The Lord gives us the joy of life, gives us consolation, gives us deliverance from our sins. He saves us from all evil. Therefore, we are obligated to preach about Christ, just as this healed paralytic did. And we will preach this in the best way, if we lead a pure Christian life. If we forgive each other, if we are compassionate to each other, are merciful to each other, if we strive to love one another – this will be our holy preaching. Then we could cease being spiritually paralyzed (or “relaxed”), then we will rise and begin to walk”.
“Of course, it is difficult – to start preaching about Christ with your life. On this path there will be many obstacles, because the life of a Christian in an ungodly world is always difficult. That healed paralytic just started walking, and the Jews immediately began to bother him and to say: “How can you wear a stretcher on Saturday? It is forbidden”! – Indeed, the Old Testament law forbade doing anything on Saturday. We have to keep in mind that our Christian law also forbids any hard and physical labor on Sunday. But the Lord of the Sabbath, the Chief of the Law himself, the One who is above all law, is the True God and the true Savior Jesus Christ commanded this, and that man had to do it. Thus, without fearing all obstacles and temptations, let us ask the Lord to help us to overcome the paralysis or relaxation of our souls, that He will give us the grace to live in Christian way: to believe, to hope, to love, to overcome all temptations”.
“And when the Savior later met this healed man in the temple, He said to him: “See, you have been made well. Sin no more, lest a worse thing come upon you” (Jn. 5, 14). Let us also, brothers and sisters, pray to our Savior, that He may give us strength not to return to sins, that He may give us the strength to avoid the worst that sin brings with it evil, godlessness, hatred and untruth. Let us strive to nourish our souls and souls of our loved ones with the great Paschal joy about the risen Christ, who gives life to our souls and to us, “the relaxed ones”, who makes us walk again in the ways of the Lord”.

The choir director performed the Aposticha of Pascha during preparation for Holy Communion.

Following the Liturgy a coffee hour was held, so the Rector and parishioners could join for a meal and a nice conversation.

On Saturday, May 6, our Parish celebrated its Patronal Feast of the Holy Victorious Great Martyr George. Our festal service was performed by a number of clergy. We welcomed Chancellor of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA, Archpriest Igor Vyzhanov; the Vice-Chancellor and Dean of Eastern States, Priest Mark Rashkov; Abbot Eutychius (Dovganyuk) from the ROCOR, and Protodeacon Igor Panachev from St. Nicholas Cathedral. The Divine Liturgy was headed by our Rector, Archpriest Igor Tarasov.

The choir director beautifully performed hymns dedicated to St. George during preparation for Holy Communion.

At the Communion verse Priest Mark Rashkov preached a homily in English on the celebrated feast of St. George.

After the dismissal of the Liturgy the clergy performed the rite of glorification of St. George in front of his icon in the middle of the church. They sang the troparion, kontakion and magnification of our temple Saint. Then the Chancellor addressed the Rector in Russian and greeted him and all the people present on the feast. He also said a few words about our celebrated holy patron and at the conclusion of his speech he presented Fr. Igor with the icon of St. Luke of Crimea.

The two group photographs were taken: one of the clergy, then another of all present at the celebration. Abbot Zosimas (Krampis) from the ROCOR had arrived at the end of the service and joined other clergy for the taking of the group picture.

Our Patronal Feast continued after the liturgical service. All were invited to a luncheon at the nearby Greek restaurant where the clergy and parishioners enjoyed delicious meals and a nice company.

On Bright Thursday, April 20, Rector of St. George Church, Archpriest Igor Tarasov performed Burial service for the newly-departed Raisa Stanislavskaya. It was held in our parish temple. Due to the time of the Bright Week the funeral office was celebrated in a special Paschal manner with the singing of the hymns of the Resurrection, instead of usual burial hymns and prayers.

Before the farewell rite Fr. Igor preached a sermon in Russian. He pointed out that this funeral is held during the Bright Week of Pascha and that makes us think a lot about our own resurrection in the future. Further the Rector discussed the theme of the final resurrection and our future destiny in the eternal life.

After the Burial service our Rector and cantor went to the Holy Trinity Cemetery in Hewlett, NY where they finished the burial of the newly-departed by serving a Litia and sealing the grave.

We announce with a deep sorrow that Raisa Stanislavskaya, former mother-in-law of our Sacristan Andrew Malyshev, fell asleep in the Lord on Bright Tuedsay, April 18.
Raisa occasionally attended our church and will be remembered by St. George Parish family as a pious Christian, a good grandmother, and a very nice and sweet person.
MAY HER MEMORY BE ETERNAL!

С глубоким прискорбием извещаем, что в Светлый вторник, 18 апреля, спочила в Бозе Раиса Станиславская, бывшая теща нашего пономаря Андрея Малышева.
Раиса временами посещала наш храм и останется в памяти членов приходской семьи святого Георгия как благочестивая христианка, хорошая бабушка и очень приятная и добродушная женщина.
ВЕЧНАЯ ПАМЯТЬ!

On April 16 of this year 2023 all Orthodox Christians celebrated the greatest holy day, the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, Holy Pascha.

Celebration at St. George Church began before midnight on Saturday, April 15. Our Rector, Archpriest Igor Tarasov performed Midnight service at the Lord’s Tomb. During the service the priest transferred the Holy Shroud to the altar.

Soon after midnight joyful Paschal celebration began. The Rector assisted by the altar servers led 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”. Faithful responded and sung Paschal troparion. Then the priest opened the doors of the temple and faithful entered into the church.

After the Matins Fr. Igor served the Divine Liturgy. The Gospel lesson on Pascha is traditionally read in several languages. The faithful had an opportunity to listen the verses of the reading in Greek, Latin, Hebrew, Church Slavonic, English, Russian, Ukrainian, Georgian, Serbian, Romanian, Belorussian, Polish and Spanish. Following the Gospel reading Fr. Igor proclaimed Catechetical Sermon of St. John Chrysostom on Pascha. Following the Ambo prayer he also performed the blessing of the special Paschal Bread called Artos.

After the Liturgy dismissal the Rector greeted the parishioners on the occasion of the greatest Christian holy day.

Following main services the Rector blessed Easter food.

Rector and parishioners continued their celebration of Pascha at the table where they had an opportunity to enjoy delicious meals after the long time of fasting.

On April 14, on the Holy and Great Friday we had two special services in our parish temple. This day is the most sorrowful day in Christian calendar. On Holy Friday we commemorate crucifixion of our Lord Jesus Christ, His death on the Cross, as well as His burial. St. George Church’s Rector, Archpriest Igor Tarasov served Vespers with the procession of the Shroud at 4:00 PM. .

At the end of this service holy Shroud had been solemnly carried out from the altar to the middle of the church and placed there for veneration.

Following the dismissal the Rector preached a homily. He stressed that Holy and Great Friday is the saddest and most sorrowful day of the year because on this day the Son of God died on the cross. “God is dead”, – such was a statement made by some non-religious philosophers. But on Good Friday we observe that God who became Man truly died. Further Fr. Igor called the faithful to be with Jesus always, not just on the joyful days of His triumph but also during the Holy Week when He suffered.

At 7:00 PM Fr. Igor celebrated Matins on the Lord’s Tomb. Most of this service was performed before the Shroud placed in the middle of the church. After the Great Doxologion the priest, the altar server and parishioners performed the procession around the church. The Rector carried the holy Shroud resembling burial of the Lord.

On April 13, on the Holy and Great Thursday when the Church commemorates the Last Supper of our Lord Jesus Christ we had a service in St. George Church. Our Rector, Archpriest Igor Tarasov served Vespers with the Divine Liturgy of St. Basil the Great.

Following the dismissal Fr. Igor preached a homily regarding the importance of commemoration of the Last Supper on which our Lord Jesus Christ instituted two Holy Mysteries, of Priesthood and of the Holy Eucharist.

On April 9, 2023 the Orthodox Church celebrated feast of the Entry of our Lord Jesus Christ into Jerusalem, also known as Palm Sunday. The Rector of St. George Church, Archpriest Igor Tarasov headed festal liturgical service in our parish.

Following the reading of the Hours the Rector blessed the pussy-willows and distributed them to the parishioners who were holding them during the service resembling the people of Jerusalem who greeted Jesus Christ with the olive and palm branches during His triumphal entry to the city.

After the readings from the Scripture at the Divine Liturgy the Rector preached the following homily:

“Dear brothers and sisters in Christ! Today we celebrate great feast of the Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem, Palm Sunday. In one week we are anticipating another holy day, the greatest feast for us – Holy Pascha. That feast of the feasts and solemnity of solemnities is always a great joy for a Christian soul. And in today’s feast we hear about a joy, a joy the people in Jerusalem experienced when they greeted Jesus Christ who entered the holy city. Why did they rejoice? Why did they greet Jesus? Because they were fascinated by His miracles. Those people had 3 years to observe Jesus, so in those years they watched His deeds and achievements, they saw His miracles. They admired the wonderful signs of His power. Especially, they were impressed by the resurrection of Lazarus who has been already dead for 4 days, but whom Jesus raised from the tomb. So, the whole scene of the Entry of Jesus into Jerusalem is built around the joy of the people. They are so happy to see Him, so enthusiastic that they take the branches of the trees, place their clothes on His path, shout “Hosanna”. And they proclaim Him their King. It is admiration, fascination of the people. So, let us think about that.
“When we admire someone, become fascinated by that person, we are ready to do a lot of things. But there is a problem with that. And such problem appeared in the story of Jesus: the same people who so enthusiastically greeted Him entering Jerusalem, in a few days with the same zeal wished Him to be crucified. People often do that. We may easily become fascinated or obsessed with someone, and later hate that person and be ready to destroy him. Thinking of that, we may see that our human admiration, fascination easily becomes an obsession and leads us to creation of an idol. And the idols are dangerous; they are false. Furthermore, sometimes having an idol may lead to a greatest disappointment. When something goes differently than we expected from our idol, we may become hugely disappointed and start hating our idol. Such things especially happen in politics. People are fascinated with some political figure, are ready to place him on a pedestal, but when something goes wrong, something goes against their expectations, they become ready to bury him alive. That is the danger of human admiration and fascination”.
“Let us then recall what happened later, when Jesus was crucified and His Disciples left Him. There was a person beside the Cross of Christ who was not fascinated by Jesus at all. It was a Roman centurion, an officer who had to watch the place of the execution. That centurion stood at the cross and observed that the Jews crucified their King. The inscription on the cross said that. So, the officer observed that someone whom the Jews several days ago called their King now is dying on the cross. And when he saw the whole thing, when he witnessed the behavior of Jesus, when he witnessed His death, when he saw the earthquake that happened then, the centurion exclaimed with an awe, “Truly this was the Son of God” (Mt. 27, 54). The centurion had no fascination with Christ but he experienced an astonishment, an amazement. And that was the right attitude towards God”.
“Dear brothers and sisters! We have to avoid fascination and obsession with anyone, even with God. Such attitude leads to a false cult. We rather have to imitate the Roman centurion at the Cross and have an amazement before God. A feeling of surprise, a felling of astonishment, a feeling of awe. Through His humble readiness to suffer for our sake, through His death on the Cross, our Lord Jesus Christ showed something that should cause us to experience such feelings. The same feelings we often experience when we learn about the lives of the Saints. A week ago we could feel that about Venerable Mary of Egypt. Her life makes us wonder, makes us to be amazed, surprised and astonished. Today Jesus Himself causes such feelings. The Almighty God who became Man enters into Jerusalem sitting on a donkey’s colt. The King of the Jews later takes up the cross and goes to the Calvary. The Son of God dies on the cross”.
“Pontius Pilate was also surprised by Christ. He heard that Jesus is a King, so he asked him, “Are You the King of the Jews?”. Christ answered, “It is as you say” (Lk. 23, 3). But Jesus did not say to Pilate much about Himself. God never tells us everything, He always leaves some room for a mystery. He wishes us to fill that room. He leaves that room for our reaction, for our surprise, for our awe”.
“Dear brothers and sisters! Today, when we hold those branches resembling the people of Jerusalem who greeted Christ, let us not be fascinated or obsessed but let us wonder. Let us not expect from God what we want but let us seek what God wants from us. Let us be amazed by the great works of the Lord. Let us be astonished, so such feelings will make our hearts to seek the true God, not some idol. Let us experience an awe that God is so great that He always makes us wonder!”

The choir director prayerfully performed hymns of the feast during preparation for Holy Communion.

Following the dismissal of the Liturgy the Rector and the altar server performed the rite of glorification before the festal icon. Then Fr. Igor greeted everybody on the occasion of the feast. He also congratulated Paraskeva Kosmidis on the occasion of her past birthday and proclaimed a Polychronion on her behalf.

After the service the Rector and parishioners had a luncheon enjoying delicious lenten meals.