November 7, 2011
Rocky Hill, NJ: Bishop George celebrated the Divine Liturgy in St. Elizabeth the New Martyr Church and visited a Russian Festival in South River

On Saturday, November 5, on the feast day of the Holy Apostle James, Brother of the Lord, His Grace, Eastern American Diocesan vicar Bishop George of Mayfield, visit St. Elizabeth the New Martyr Church in Rocky Hill, NJ, and celebrated the Divine Liturgy. That day, the parish celebrated the 25th anniversary of the ordination of their rector, Archpriest David Straut.

His Grace was co-served by diocesan secretary Archpriest Serge Lukianov, Fr. David, Archpriest James Parsells (rector of Sts. Peter & Paul OCA Church in Manville, NJ), Priest John Cassar (rector of the OCA Church of Our Lady, Joy of All Who Sorrow, in Princeton, NJ), Priest John Parsells (rector of Christ the Savior OCA Church in Dagsboro, DE), Deacon Leonid Roschko (cleric of St. George’s Church in Howell, NJ), Deacon Paul Drozdowski (cleric of St. Vladimir Memorial Church in Jackson, NJ), and parish Deacon Seraphim Komleski.

Before the start of Liturgy, His Grace tonsured parishioner Philip Hotz a reader. With the blessing of His Eminence, Metropolitan Hilarion, during the Small Entrance, Bishop George awarded Fr. David the jeweled cross for his faithful 25-year service to the Holy Church. After the Eucharistic Canon, parish Subdeacon Steven Barker was ordained to the diaconate. The newly ordained Deacon Steven will fulfill his service at St. Elizabeth the New Martyr Church.

Upon completion of the Liturgy, His Grace congratulated Fr. David and Matushka Faith with their joyous anniversary, and wished them God’s aid in their further service to the Holy Church. Bishop George then presented Fr. David, Matushka Faith, and longtime parishioner Reader Daniel Lieuwen diocesan gramotas. The text is available here.

After the service, clergy and parishioners gathered in a local hall for a festal luncheon in honor of the rector and matushka. During the luncheon, a photomontage dedicated to Fr. David’s 25 years of pastoral service was shown.

After the luncheon, His Grace traveled to South River, where, at the invitation of Priest David Garretson, rector of Sts. Peter & Paul OCA Church, and with the blessing of His Grace Michael, Bishop of New York  & New Jersey, he visited the parish’s traditional Russian festival.

The rector greeted Bishop George at the entrance to the church while the choir sang Eis polla eti Despota. While His Grace venerated the church’s relics, Fr. David related the history of the Russian Orthodox community of South River. The parish was founded in 1905 by Hieromartyr Alexander Hotovitzky, and the Great Consecration was performed by Archbishop Tikhon (Bellavin), future Patriarch of Moscow. The church still has the chalice and diskos donated to the parish by St. Tikhon on the day of the Great Consecration. Having acquainted himself with the church, Bishop George and those accompanying him were invited to the festival luncheon. During lunch, parish children entertained the guests with traditional Russian folk dances.

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