November
11, 2009
Nyack,
NY: Metropolitan Hilarion and Synodal Choir Director Peter A. Fekula
visited the Holy Virgin Protection Church School
On
Saturday, October 31, His Eminence, Metropolitan Hilarion, arrived in
Nyack to visit with the children and view the activities of the Holy
Virgin Protection Church School. His Eminence was greeted with the
peeling of bells.
Metropolitan
Hilarion began his visit by attending the kindergarten class, where
the children received a blessing from the Hierarch and had the
opportunity to sing and perform. Vladyka then met with all the school
children of the Nyack School and ten students who arrived with Priest
Seraphim Chemodakov from the Saint Alexander Nevsky Parish in
Lakewood, NJ.
The
meeting took place in the church hall, which was filled with clergy,
children, and their parents. The students had the opportunity to
prepare questions beforehand to be presented to the Metropolitan. The
questions were very well thought-out, and covered many topics. Some of
the questions were even directed at the Metropolitan’s personal
life, such as what his favorite and least favorite part of his job
are; his weaknesses; and does he like to travel so much? Other
questions addressed the teachings of the Orthodox Church. The question
and answer session lasted over an hour, and His Eminence expressed his
wish that such meetings should take place on a periodical basis.
A
pizza lunch was then served and enjoyed by all. This was followed by
the school choir’s performance for His Eminence and all the
attendees. The choir was directed very professionally by Mrs. Irina
Serdsev. After a group photo with the Metropolitan, His Eminence left
for Jordanville.
The
Nyack school students then had the wonderful opportunity to listen to
a very interesting and educational talk on the evolution of Orthodox
hymnology. Mr. Peter A. Fekula, director of the Synodal Choir, had the
full attention of his audience, young and old, as he presented, with
audio examples, different aspects of Church music composition and
their meaning.
This
was followed by a choir rehearsal with the school’s singers under
the direction of Mr. Fekula, which then participated as choir members
in the All-Night Vigil service later that day. After the Vigil, the
students were treated to supper in the hall and viewed the film “Ostrov.”
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