May 5, 2015
Nyack, NY: Parish Life at Holy Protection Church

On Sunday, April 26, His Grace, Bishop Jerome, paid an archpastoral visit to Holy Virgin Protection Church in Nyack, NY, and celebrated the Divine Liturgy. His Grace was co-served by parish clergy: Archpriest Ilya Gorsky and Protodeacon Dimtri Temidis, as well as Deacon George Temidis (member of the Diocesan Council). Rector Archpriest George Larin was absent, still at the hospital recovering from open-heart surgery.

The service was served and sung in Slavonic and English. Upon completion of the Liturgy, Bishop Jerome delivered two sermons: in Russian, on the courage of the myrrh-bearing women, and how we emphasize them more than we do Joseph and Nicodemus (who are also commemorated that day), because the women were more vulnerable and showed such bravery, and how we should emulate their boldness in serving the Lord; and in English, on Nicolas the Proselyte of Antioch, and the distinction between conversion (coming to the Faith through one’s own conviction) and proselytism (being drawn by someone or something else, such as the offer of a college education, or hopes of social climbing): the Orthodox Church does not proselytize, but welcomes sincere conversion.

Afterward, His Grace relayed Metropolitan Hilarion’s greetings to the congregation on the occasion of the sisterhood’s patronal feast day. A festal luncheon was then served in the parish hall.

On Thursday, April 30, His Grace Nicholas, Bishop of Manhattan, presided over a meeting of the parish council, where he distributed two directives from Metropolitan Hilarion: the first, honoring Fr. George Larin’s petition to retire and be appointed "pastor emeritus;" the second, appointing Fr. Ilya Gorsky rector.

On Sunday, May 3, Bishop Nicholas celebrated the Divine Liturgy in at Holy Protection Church, after which he announced to parishioners the new changes in parish administration. The faithful expressed their support for the changes, and voiced their gratitude to Fr. George for his many years of selfless service to the parish. In turn, His Grace wished Fr. Ilya God’s speedy aid in his new obedience as parish rector.

After Liturgy, a children’s concert, titled "Young Talents" and under the direction of Irene Serdsev, was held in the parish hall.

Media Office of the Eastern American Diocese