Русская Версия

  

June 15, 2011
Stratford, CT: Bishop Jerome celebrated the Divine Liturgy in St. Nicholas Church

On June 5, the Sunday of the Fathers of the First Ecumenical Council, His Grace Jerome, Bishop of Manhattan, paid his first hierarchical visit to St. Nicholas Church in Stratford, CT. In the glorious, warm, sunny weather, the children of the parish greeted His Grace with flower petals, which they scattered in his path. His Grace was greeted with bread and salt by the parish warden, Dexter L. Peavy III, and by the parish rector, Archpriest George Lardas, who greeted the Connecticut-native bishop on his first visit to the parish. The choir greeted His Grace in both Slavonic and English. Co-serving His Grace were Fr. George, parish cleric Archpriest Theodore Shevzov and Protodeacon Dimitri Temidis (cleric of Holy Virgin Protection Church in Nyack, NY). Adding to the joy of the occasion, Fr. Theodore, who last year celebrated his twenty-fifth anniversary as a priest on the feast of the Kazan Mother of God Icon, was awarded the right to wear the jeweled cross. As is the custom in the parish on the first Sunday each month, the youth choir sang the Lord’s Prayer in English and Slavonic.

His Grace gave the sermon in both Russian and English, reflecting that our Savior told the Apostles to tarry in Jerusalem between Ascension and Pentecost for two reasons: The first was in recognition of human weakness, so that all the Apostles would receive the grace of the Holy Spirit in the same place and at the same time, so that there could be no dispute over who or what place received more grace than another. The second was to teach them, and through them – us, how to take care of each other. This is a function of the Church, His Grace said: to take care of each other’s physical and spiritual needs, so that we can grow together in love.

Fr. George thanked Vladyka for his visit and kindness, and His Grace said that the parish felt like home. After the Liturgy, everyone enjoyed a delicious festive luncheon prepared by the ladies of the Sisterhood, and many of the parishioners had the opportunity to meet and speak with His Grace.

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