November 30, 2011
Paterson, NJ: The Patronal Feast Day of St. Michael’s Church

On Monday, November 21, parishioners of St. Michael the Archangel Church in Paterson, NJ, welcomed the many guests who gathered there to celebrate the feast of the Synaxis of the Holy Angels & Archangels – the parish’s patronal feast day. On the eve of the feast, Sunday, November 20, the All-Night Vigil was jointly served by the rector, Archpriest George Zelenin, Archpriest Ilya Gorsky (cleric of Holy Virgin Protection Church in Nyack, NY), Archpriest Mark Burachek (rector of Our Lady of Kazan Church in Newark, NJ), Priests Ilya Gun and Alexandre Antchoutine (rector of the Intercession of the Holy Virgin Church in Glen Cove, NY), and two protodeacons: Sergei Arlievsky (cleric of Holy Dormition Convent Novo-Diveevo) and Dimitri Temidis (cleric of Holy Virgin Protection Church in Nyack). It was joyous to see many parishioners going to holy confession on the eve of the feast. In accordance with well-established tradition, everyone who remained until the end of the evening service was invited to tea, pastries, and sandwiched in an atmosphere of warm brotherly discussion around the table.

The following morning, diocesan secretary Archpriest Serge Lukianov, Priest Seraphim Chemodakov (cleric of St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in Lakewood, NJ), and Deacon Nathan Mousselli (cleric of the Synodal Cathedral of the Sign) also arrived to greet His Grace Jerome, Bishop of Manhattan, who came to lead the feast.

Despite the fact that the feast fell on a Monday this year, the church was full – worshipers communed from two chalices. And although the choristers could not all be in attendance, its singing was nonetheless sweet-sounding, and it was especially endearing to hear certain pieces sung just by the children. The Paterson parish has always been renowned for its hospitality: as always, the parish sisterhood prepared a bountiful luncheon, after which a lottery was held for the benevolent fund.

A Participant of the Feast

Republication of materials must include a reference to: 
"Eastern American Diocese www.eadiocese.org."

Media Office of the Eastern American Diocese