October 19, 2009
South Carolina: Joint Liturgy of the Parishes of North & South Carolinas

The tradition of annually conducting divine services under the open sky in Cheraw State Park began 14 years ago, when Archpriest Anastasy Yatrelis, rector of Sts. Cyril & Methodius Church in Summerville, SC took care to spiritually nourish the Holy Trinity Orthodox Community in Durham, NC. Once a year, in the autumn, parishioners of the two parishes gather under an awning on the shore of a lake in this picturesque corner of South Carolina, nestled halfway between Charleston and the Research Triangle. They gathered to serve the Divine Liturgy, to pray together, and to converse one with another. Amidst tobacco plantations, in a region where virtually every road bears an historical marker commemorating the far-off events of the American Civil War, where towns are adorned with century-old meeting houses of the Protestant denominations traditionally dominant in this area, topped with tall steeples, Orthodoxy is proclaimed, prayers are offered up, and wondrous hymns are sung in English, Church Slavonic, and Greek. Truly, as the Psalmist writes, "Their voice has gone out through all the earth."

Beginning in 2006, the newly formed Church of the Reigning Mother of God in Charlotte, NC, led by its rector, Priest Alexander Logunov, has taken part in the annual services. This year, Priest Mark Mancuso and parishioners from St. Elizabeth the New Martyr Church near Columbia, SC, as well as Priest Onouphry Keith and parishioners from St. Nicholas Church in Asheville, NC were also in attendance. Priest John Moses, Southern Liason at the Diocesan Council, also arrived in Virginia to co-serve at the Liturgy and talk to parishioners of North and South Carolinas. After the Liturgy, a picnic was held, during which parishioners were able to get acquainted, talk, and share their experiences. Fr. John spent time telling everyone about the work being undertaken by the diocesan council. Youth from the various churches took boat rides across the scenic lake, and everyone left in earnest hope that next year, the Lord will once more gather His children for joint brotherly prayer and cooperation in spiritual projects.

Aleksandr Andreev
Media Office of the Eastern American Diocese