February 18, 2015
Stratford, CT: Bishop Nicholas leads Patronal Feast of Holy Presentation Church

On Sunday, February 15, the great feast of the Meeting of the Lord, His Grace Nicholas, Bishop of Manhattan, led the patronal feast day of Holy Presentation Church in Stratford, CT. His Grace was co-served by rector Archpriest Andrei Semyanko, Archpriest Theodore Shevzov (cleric of neighboring St. Nicholas Church in Stratford), Archpriest Constantine Semyanko (parish cleric), Protodeacon Serge Arlievsky (cleric of Holy Dormition Convent "Novo-Diveevo" in Nanuet, NY), and Deacon George Temidis (member of the Diocesan Council).

In his sermon on the feast of the meeting of the Lord, which coincides this year with Meatfare Sunday (the Sunday of the Dread Judgment), Bishop Nicholas reminded the faithful of the reality of the Dread Judgment, which very few, even among Orthodox Christians, take time to contemplate. "The feast of the Meeting of the Lord is in accord with the meaning of the Sunday of the Dread Judgment," His Grace noted. "The Righteous Simeon long awaited Christ, and now he receives the Savior in the Temple of God, and he no longer fears proceeding into life eternal." Bishop Nicholas added that the Righteous Simeon is an example for us of how we should receive Christ into our own temple, for our bodies are the temple of God: "If we will be with Christ, then we have nothing to fear from the Dread Judgment. On the contrary, we will rejoice with Christ in life eternal, as in it rejoiced the Mother of God, the Righteous Simeon, and other saints."

Many parishioners and guests gathered for the patronal feast. Upon completion of the Liturgy, with the blessing of His Eminence, Metropolitan Hilarion, Bishop Nicholas awarded diocesan gramotas to four longtime active parishioners: Ivan N. Levykin (who assists in managing the property), head sister Eugenia V. Shimansky, parish secretary Ruslana A. Sedykh, and Larisa E. Semyanko (who assists at the candle counter).

In honor of Meatfare Sunday, the traditional festal luncheon with bliny was served in the parish refectory. Clergy and parishioners enjoyed the opportunity to meet and interact with one another over a delicious meal.

Media Office of the Eastern American Diocese