July 9, 2009
Framingham, MA: Parish Feast Day of St. John's Church

In many churches abroad, and now in Russia also, the feast day of the glorification of the great saint of the Russian Diaspora, St. John, Wonderworker of Shanghai and San Francisco, was prayerfully celebrated. The feast took place in our parish of St. John, as well. On this day, our parish celebrated yet another important date: one year ago, the first divine service was held in our church, led by Hieromonk Roman (Krassovsky).

At the end of May, 2008, a group of the faithful received a key to a house in Framingham, and by July 4 had, by their own efforts, made repairs to the house, erected an iconostasis, altar table, and table of oblation, built several lecterns and much more. For the blessing of the church and first divine service, Fr. Roman arrived with a suitcase-full liturgical vessels, as our parish had practically none to start with. Over the next year, by the prayers of our heavenly patron and the efforts of our parishioners, the church was transfigured: the altar was completed, the church has a full set of liturgical vessels, a crucifix with commemoration table (the work of Messrs. Nicholas Cherniaev and Arkady Gurevich) was set up. The lecterns were prepared by Messrs. Serge Terentev and Arkady Gurevich, a shroud and banners were ordered from Sofrino, new lanterns adorn the church, and many icons have been donated by parishioners, including icons of St. John. All of the sewing has been completed through the efforts of our sisterhood (Mses. Ksenia Musatova and Natalia Stolyarova). This year, in preparation for the parish feast day, the sisterhood and brotherhood undertook the large project of reconstructing portions of the church property. Everything was ready for the feast, with one upsetting exception: rain was pouring constantly. However, on the very days of the feast, the sun shone through the clouds, as if the Savior Himself parted the clouds, and good weather reigned for the entirety of the holiday.

On July 3, the rector and Deacon Nicholas Olhovsky served the All-Night Vigil. The choir sang prayerfully and triumphantly under the direction of the choir conductor, Ms. Olga France. During the Polyeleos, Fr. Roman brought a relic of St. John, given by Fr. Juvenal to our parish during a pilgrimage of our parishioners to the relics of St. John, out of the altar. With reverence, the parishioners venerated the relic of St. John, with the fully understanding that through his prayers the parish has received much help in its successful establishment. 

On Saturday, July 4, before a large gathering of parishioners and guests, Frs. Roman and Nicholas served the Divine Liturgy, followed by a procession. The church was filled with the faithful, among whom were many children, youths and others, who had come to St. John's for the first time. Many - about 25 - went to confession and partook of Holy Communion. During the procession, adorned by the beautiful singing of a moleben to St. John, the sun shone brightly, and ancient spruce trees surrounded the prayerful. All this exuded an aura of peacefulness, spiritual calm, and joyous holiday emotions.

After the procession, Fr. Roman gave a short sermon on the life of St. John, on his love for his neighbors, on his care for children, the sick, and the needy, and reminded everyone that St. John's life was an example to which we ought to strive.
After this, all were invited to a festive luncheon, prepared by the sisterhood under the leadership of Head Sister Larissa Dyan and her assistant, Natalia Vyazmitinova. That same day the All-Night Vigil was served, followed by a Diving Liturgy Sunday morning.
Holy Father John, pray unto God for us!

Media Office of the Eastern American Diocese