SCHEDULE OF SERVICES
* (Tonight) May 1 - 6:30 PM - Holy Wednesday: Bridegroom Matins // Confessions: 6 PM - 6:20 PM
* Thursday, May 2 - 2 PM - Holy Thursday: St. Basil Vesperal Liturgy: “The Last Supper”
* Thursday, May 2 - 6:30 PM - Holy Thursday: Matins with the Twelve Passion Gospel Readings
* Friday, May 3 - 3 PM - Holy Friday: Vespers: “The Crucifixion of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ”
* Friday, May 3 - 7 PM - Holy Friday: Matins with Lamentations at the Tomb of Christ
* Saturday, May 4 - 2 PM - Great Saturday: St. Basil Vesperal Liturgy: “The Descent of Christ into Hades”
* Sunday, May 5 - 7:30 AM - HOLY PASCHA: NOCTURNES/ RESURRECTION MATINS/ PASCHAL LITURGY
* Monday, May 6 - 9:30 AM - PASCHA BRIGHT MONDAY: Paschal Liturgy
* Saturday, May 11 - 4:30 PM - Vespers // Confessions: 4 PM - 4:20 PM
* Sunday, May 12 - 10 AM - Divine Liturgy - Mother’s Day Observance: “St. Thomas Sunday”
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+ Anyone in need of a Confession prior to Pascha after tonight’s 6 PM scheduled time should contact me in advance to schedule this Holy Sacrament so that I can properly plan my pre-service preparations.
+ NOTE! Only those parish members who have participated in Private Confession during Holy Lent should approach to receive the Body and Blood of Christ on Holy PASCHA or thereafter. Question? Please contact me.
+ Any Orthodox Christian visiting our parish is welcome to receive Holy Communion if they are in good sacramental standing in their home parish and if they prepare themselves through a proper Eucharistic fast.
+ Please remember that our ASCETICAL FASTING ends only after we have tasted the sweetness of the Lord’s Body and Blood at the Pascha morning Liturgy.
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SUNDAY LITURGY LAITY FUNCTIONS
* MAY 5 THIRD HOUR: (None - HOLY PASCHA!)
* MAY 5 EPISTLE: (Deacon)
* MAY 5 COLLECTION: I. Yakich / P. Wiglesworth
* MAY 12 THIRD HOUR: T. Zehnder
* MAY 12 EPISTLE: T. Evansky
* MAY 12 COLLECTION: S. Yakich / N. Domitrovic
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PRAYER / GET-WELL GREETINGS LIST:
* Suzanne Mycyk: Heritage Valley Hospital - Beaver
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* Attached as this week’s e-bulletin article is the PASCHAL LETTER for the faithful of the Orthodox Church in America by His Beatitude, Metropolitan TIKHON - - take a few moments to review his inspiring words as we prepare for the “Feast of Feasts!”
* All are invited to come downstairs to the church hall immediately following this Sunday’s 7:30 AM Paschal service as we BLESS THE PASCHA FOOD BASKETS and then share our joyous PASCHA AGAPE MEAL together. Please come downstairs even if you can’t bring a basket - - the parish members will gladly share their “bounties” with you! Also, weather permitting, the annual CHILDREN’S EGG HUNT will take place outside on the church property during the Agape meal. (We thank Matushka Debbie for organizing this event again this year as well as thanking the donors who so generously provided the funds!)
* PASCHA CHANGES: You are reminded that we do not kneel in the divine services or in our daily private prayers from Pascha until the Feast of Pentecost (50 days after Pascha). Also, the “Prayer to the Holy Spirit (“O Heavenly King”) is replaced by the Pascha Troparion (“Christ is risen from dead…”) from Pascha until the Holyday of the Ascension (40 days after Pascha). Finally, “Bright Week” (the week following Pascha) is a fast-free period as we rejoice at the gift of the Lord’s Passover from death to life for us.
* CHURCH SCHOOL/ TEEN GROUP CLASSES are scheduled to meet again on May 19 (9 AM). These will be the final sessions until the fall semester begins after Labor Day. Also, May 19th (9 AM) will be the final SUNDAY DIALOGUE for all adults of the parish with me in the church nave until September. Have a question to discuss? Please forward it to me for consideration after Bright Week concludes.
* [FINAL REMINDER!] The Ladies Altar Society needs YOUR help in making the May 11th Youth Center TEA-BASKET PARTY a success. The L.A.S. needs party attendees - - please take a moment to review the attached flier. Also, there is a list on the vestibule candle desk for anyone to sign who can help at the Youth Center on the event day - or - contact Sharon Yakich to help. THANKS!
* The GRAVE WATCH LIST is on the vestibule candle desk for you to sign if you can take a turn “standing vigil” at the Lord’s Tomb on Holy Friday and Great Saturday for an hour or two. All parish teens are invited to participate in the initial watch immediately following the 3 PM Holy Friday Burial Vespers and preceding the 7 PM Matins and Lamentations at the Tomb. Families, especially, are encouraged to bring your children and take part in this time-honored pious Orthodox tradition.
* A REMINDER! Please maintain the appropriate “spiritual attitude” while venerating the Holy Shroud on the grave and then quietly meditating in the church at this Great Mystery that is unfolding. (The church nave - not just the altar - is always special “holy ground” and should be treated accordingly.) Proper spiritual decorum during the processions is also a must as we sing the church hymns while circling the church, NOT talk!
* Parents with SCHOOL-AGED CHILDREN are reminded that it is considered a legal excuse to miss school for a religious observance on Holy Friday (May 3). Holy Friday, the most solemn day of the year for Orthodox Christians, is a day all Orthodox adults and children make every effort to suspend all secular activities to be with their Savior at His Crucifixion and Burial divine services at 3 PM and 7 PM!
* You are welcome to take a PASCHA FLOWER HOME following the Agape meal on Pascha morning. We especially encourage you taking a flower to our parish members (or perhaps a shut-in neighbor) unable to personally join us in our bright festal joy.
* As is our parish custom, we will take a SPECIAL COLLECTION to benefit the Holy Transfiguration Monastery in Ellwood City as you exit the Pascha morning service. Thanks for helping Mother Christophora and the sisters!
* Be sure to open the attachment to this e-bulletin about a special event taking place at the Steelers’ Acrisure Stadium during the evening of May 21 - - the RESILIENCE BOWL is being chaired by former Steeler (and Orthodox believer) Troy Polamalu and his wife Theodora to support the important work of Fr. Paul Abernathy’s Neighborhood Resilience Project in Pittsburgh’s Hill District. (Fr. Abernathy is a priest of the Antiochian Orthodox Diocese.)
* Please forward MAY SPECIAL OCCASION NAMES to me no later than May 8 via this email or by texting my cell. We will delay praying for these May birthdays and wedding anniversaries until the Mother’s Day (May 12) Liturgy due to the Paschal celebration this Sunday.
* All are invited to attend our annual MOTHER’S DAY BRUNCH following the May 12th Liturgy organized by our Parish Life Committee. Special prayers will be offered during the May 12th Liturgy for both our departed and living mothers - - join us!
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We offer our PRAYERS and CONDOLENCES to the Nelko family at the passing of Sandy Nelko’s mother +Shirley Shoup. Visitation will be Thursday (2PM-4PM) and (6PM-8PM) at the Devlin Funeral Home of Cranberry, 2678 Rochester Road, Cranberry Twp., PA 16066. There will be additional visitation Friday (10 AM) until time of service at (11AM) at Rehoboth Lutheran Church, 2800 Conway-Wallrose Road, Baden, PA 15005.
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Fr. Bill
Laity Liturgy Functions
DATE THIRD HOUR EPISTLE___ COLLECTION______
MAY 5 (PASCHA) (Deacon) I. Yakich / P. Wiglesworth
MAY 12 T. Zehnder T. Evansky S. Yakich / N. Domitrovic
MAY 19 N. Yakich (Deacon) P. Evans / R. Grano
MAY 26 N. Domitrovic (Deacon) A. Lauer / P. McKeown
^ Please notify Fr. Bill in advance if you are unable to perform your liturgical function so that a substitute can be found in an orderly manner. Please mark your calendar since we do not send individual reminders.
^ Please contact Fr. Bill if you have any questions about these ministries. New participants are encouraged as well!
Pastoral Reminders from Fr. Bill
~ If not already observing a “strict fast” (i.e., no meats or dairy products) during Holy Week, Holy Friday (May 3) should be a strict-fast day leading up to the Holy Pascha on May 5.
~ Bright Week (May 5 - May 11) is a fast-free week as we bask in the glow of our Lord’s Third Day Resurrection that brings each Orthodox believer eternal life. Also, we do not kneel in private prayer or worship beginning on Pascha; this continues until Holy Pentecost – 50-days after Pascha [June 23].
~ Other than Bright Wednesday (May 8) and Bright Friday (May 10) which are fast-free, all Wednesdays and Fridays during May are days on which we abstain from eating meat.
~ Parents with children in school are reminded that attendance at the May 3 (3 PM) Burial Vespers on Holy Friday is considered a “legal excuse” to be excused from classes and activities for an early dismissal. PLEASE BRING THEM to that solemn service as well as to the special 7 PM Holy Friday Matins and Lamentations service at the Tomb of Christ. (Holy Friday should be a FULL STOP of all secular activities for Orthodox adults and children as we show our love and devotion to Jesus!)
~ Only those parish members who have participated in a Private Lenten Confession this year during Great Lent should approach to receive Holy Communion on Holy Pascha or thereafter. Others should come to Private Confession before approaching to receive the Body and Blood of Christ. Please contact me to schedule a special time for Holy Confession as needed.
~ Except for individuals required to eat and/or drink minimal amounts for medical conditions, Communion recipients are expected to conduct a proper Eucharistic fast (i.e., no eating or drinking) prior to Holy Communion. Children who have not come to the First Holy Confession are, of course, exempt from this guideline. Individuals with medical conditions that require a modification of the Eucharist fast should discuss it privately with Fr. Bill if you need guidance.
Parish Transitions
* ALECIA TAYLOR: Chrismated into Holy Orthodoxy - April 28. + MANY YEARS! +
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^ Please forward your preferred email address to Fr. Bill if you are not receiving the parish E-BULLETINS but would like to receive them. Please note that email addresses are not shared. A limited number of copies of each week’s electronic bulletin are put in the vestibule wall pamphlet rack for those individuals wanting a paper copy with the same being true for the monthly newsletter. This e-bulletin is prepared in lieu of a Sunday paper bulletin.
PARISH ON-LINE GIVING
No envelope, no checks, no cash? No problem! ON-LINE giving is always available! Go to our website under “Online Giving” (https://www.holyghostoca.org/onlinegiving) and make your donation today. You even have the option to donate to the General Fund or Memorial Fund and we will add Special Projects as opportunities arise. There is even an option to set a recurring donation so you can set it and forget it! Please note there is a small credit card processing fee to donate online. Please contact Nicole Domitrovic or Fr. Bill if you have any questions about this on-line method of stewardship.
^ We hope to keep our parish tradition alive this year of having a GRAVE WATCH at the tomb of our Lord on Holy Friday (May 3) and Great Saturday (May 4). A sign-up list is on the vestibule candle desk - please consider taking some time to be with your Lord! (Families, especially, are asked to “lay aside all earthly cares” and PRIORITIZE YOUR TIME properly to be in church with your children for Orthodox divine services and religious activities during Holy Week!)
^ The FLOWERS that will adorn the Lord’s grave on Holy Friday and Great Saturday have been ordered. Any special stewardship donation to help defray the cost would be greatly appreciated!
^ As of the writing of this newsletter, the Ladies Altar Society was still accepting MAY 11 BASKET-TEA PARTY RESERVATIONS for the noon event taking place at the Youth Center. (A maximum of 100 reservations will be accepted.) Please contact Patty McKeown soon!
^ (Final Reminder) Parents with children of camping age are asked to note that the parish council unanimously voted to provide ORTHODOX CAMP SCHOLARSHIPS to children of our parish who attend certified Orthodox Christian camps this summer. Parents are asked to discuss this soon with Fr. Bill since the camping season WON’T be far away! (It has been proven that attendance at such Orthodox camps greatly benefits our children to stay strong in the Orthodox Faith since they are often “swayed” by “non-Orthodox influences” as they grow older. Our Orthodox camps provide fun activities in a spiritual environment led by Orthodox clergy and Orthodox camp advisors - MUCH different than secular sports camps.)
^ Please join the Parish Life Committee for our parish’s annual MOTHER’S DAY BRUNCH following the May 12th Liturgy. We will also offer special prayers during that day’s Liturgy for both our departed and living mothers. Join us on May 12th for this special day!
^ We will begin our SUMMER SUNDAY LITURGY SCHEDULE on May 26th when the Liturgy moves to a 9:30 AM start. This will continue through Labor Day weekend in September.
^ The annual PASCHA BLESSING OF GRAVES will take place at Economy Cemetery on May 19 when we gather at 1:30 PM at a priest’s grave to serve a General Panikhida and process to bless individual graves. The blessing of graves at the St. Elijah Cemetery (and other Aliquippa area cemeteries) is scheduled for May 26 - 1:30 PM. Please contact Fr. Bill to schedule other grave blessings.
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Pascha Food Baskets
In the Orthodox Church, the HOLY PASCHA, the celebration of our Lord’s Resurrection, is known as The Feast of Feasts. On this most wonderful day of the year, our Holy Church celebrates the mystical blessing of the traditional Paschal basket foods. This food is the first non-Lenten food of which we will partake after we have tasted the true Paschal Lamb - the HOLY EUCHARIST - at the Paschal Divine Liturgy. The physical food in the basket represents the Paschal mystery which we celebrate spiritually, for we Orthodox Christians believe that the body and soul are saved together by the Lord’s Third-Day Resurrection.
The following is a partial list of foods traditionally included in these baskets as well as a brief explanation of each. Also note that in each basket should be a blessed candle which is lit before the priest begins the blessing service. Also in the basket should be an icon of the Resurrection of Christ (i.e., Christ’s Descent into Hades). Please remember to have all coverings removed from the foods before the Holy Water is sprinkled. It is a time-honored tradition to bless these foods immediately following the Paschal Divine Liturgy as the parish gathers for the PASCHA AGAPE MEAL - a celebration of unity with each other in the joy of Christ’s Holy Church.
+ PASCHA BREAD: The sweet bread of Holy Pascha is rich with eggs, butter, and other ingredients. This raised bread symbolizes the Risen Christ Who is the Heavenly Bread of Life.
+ HAM: Ham, which is either roasted or cooked, symbolizes the great joy and fullness of life found in Holy Pascha.
+ KIELBASSI: This spicy ring of sausage symbolizes God’s favor and blessing.
+ BACON: This meat symbolizes the unlimited mercy of God revealed to us.
+ SALT: The spice that is necessary for flavor and reminds us of our duty as Christians to be “the salt of the earth” for Christ to others who do not know Him yet as their Savior.
+ CHEESE: This special custard-like cheese is sweet and reminds us of Christian moderation in all things.
+ HORSERADISH: Red beets are usually mixed with horseradish to symbolize our Lord’s Passion. It is sweetened with sugar to remind us of the Resurrection.
+ BUTTER: Butter, which may made in the shape of a lamb, symbolizes the great goodness of the Lord which we should be sharing with others.
+ EGGS: Eggs, traditionally hard-boiled and dyed red, symbolize the Christ’s empty tomb, and the Resurrection of our Lord. In the Slavic Orthodox parishes, these eggs are richly decorated and are kept for many years.
(Other foods can be added (including red wine, the symbol of our Lord’s Eucharist) in the basket according to family custom to remind us of how truly good the Lord is to us personally.)
^ REMINDER! All are greatly encouraged to participate in the parish’s PASCHA AGAPE MEAL downstairs in the church hall immediately following the Paschal 7:30 AM service on May 5. We will bless the food baskets in the hall and then open our baskets to enjoy these delicacies together as a parish. Invite guests, too! The CHILDREN’S EGG HUNT will also follow on the church lawn (weather permitting). (P.S. – No basket? That’s ok - - - join us anyway - - - we all share our “goodies!]
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HOLY WEEK AND US
Having completed the 40-day Fast, we now embark on our journey into Holy Week and the “Holy Day of Holy Days” - PASCHA. We will walk alongside our Lord Jesus Christ step by step in His final days on earth. We will witness His ascent to Golgotha and His Resurrection from the dead. But before that, we will immerse ourselves in every detail of the events leading up to His trial. Through meditation on gospel events that instill humility in our souls, we will prepare ourselves to accompany Christ through the steps of His suffering, leading to His Resurrection. We seek to participate fully in these events, growing in piety and spiritual struggle. We will reflect on the fig tree that withered at His command, the repentance of the adulteress juxtaposed with Judas' betrayal, and the parable of the ten virgins that warns us against negligence and sloth. We will heed the Lord's stern rebukes of the Pharisees and those like them who outwardly observe the commandments and teachings of the divine law but do not let them touch their hearts and change their souls. We will contemplate Peter's denial, contrasting it with Judas' despair and subsequent suicide. We will also contemplate the Mystical Supper and the profound mystery of the Holy Eucharist (i.e., Communion) as well as the Lord's teachings on servanthood and His words about the first among us, and the manner of how we become first in our servanthood (Mark 10:42-43).
Following this, we will recount the journey of Christ's Passion, culminating in His crucifixion, burial, and the sealing of His tomb. And on Holy Saturday, we will await in reverent silence His glorious Resurrection. We will also read chapters from the Book of Job, seeing in His suffering a reflection of the suffering Christ. Job found solace only in patience and complete submission to God's will. Yet, in Christ, we find hope that our suffering leads to resurrection and new life. For our Lord suffered and died so that WE may rise to eternal life with Him. These phrases will echo often in our hymns during this week: "...O Thou Who was crucified, buried, and rose from the dead, O Lord, glory be to Thee" and "O compassionate Lord, I magnify Thy passion and glorify Thy three-day burial and resurrection, saying: O Lord, glory be to Thee." This week is intense liturgically! Yet, the most crucial question remains: How do I allow these salvific events to shape my life as a believer? The prayers, hymns and Scriptures of this week call us to reflect deeply on our own lives and actions. And so, we see in ourselves the fig tree that must always bear fruit, the sinner who repents fervently,
Judas who falls into betrayal and despair of God's mercy, Peter who denies out of fear but repents with bitter tears, the woman who washes the Lord's feet, and the disciple who is presented the body and blood of His Lord as food and drink to be united with Him spiritually, in order to become the beloved for whom Christ dies to give him the power of life that triumphs over death - - all this as examples for us to ponder. "Yoking love to compassion, let us be diligent to send forth entreaty unto Christ, O ye faithful, that He may raise us up from the tomb of our hidden passions." – Matins of the Thursday before Palm Sunday
Great Lent has been a season of repentance and inner renewal par excellence. In the past six weeks, the hymns and prayers have called us to combine contemplation with application and action in our lives. Now, in Holy Week, we are called to participate in the Death and Resurrection of Christ. We die with Christ and rise with Him when we put to death all evil passions within us. We rise with Him when we cultivate all goodness, forgiveness, and Christ-like virtue. What an opportunity!
+“MARANTHA! (COME, QUICKLY, LORD JESUS!)” - and grant us eternal life through your Church!+
Today, as we celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Holy Ghost Orthodox Church in Ambridge, we should pause in our festivities and reflect thoughtfully on its beginnings.
Shortly after the turn of the century, many Europeans sought to escape the religious and cultural persecutions of the Austro-Hungarian rulers by sailing to America.
Approximately 14 families, including those of John Bowan Sr., Wasil Blishak, Constantine Dzubinsky, Samuel Evans Sr., Daniel Holovach, A. Kohan, Nicholas Kraynak, Theodore Kushnir, Wasil Kuhta, Wasil Towcimak, Michael Turko, and John Zawoysky, settled in the North Side and South Side of Pittsburgh, where they attended St. Alexander Nevsky and St. Michael's Orthodox Churches.
However, these pioneers soon moved on to Ambridge where employment opportunities were greater. The American Bridge Company, which erected its first plant in Ambridge in 1902, offered such security.
Although settled in Ambridge, they continued to attend church in Pittsburgh. Each Sunday morning they walked the railroad tracks, more accessible than the unpaved roads, to Leetsdale, where they boarded a train to Pittsburgh. This continued until the group established a makeshift altar in May's Hall, Third and Merchant Streets, Ambridge. There, under the guidance of the Rev. J. Sechinsky, they continued their religious devotions. A little later, services were conducted in the residence of Samuel Evans, Sr., and still later in a little shelter on a vacant lot near Third and Merchant Streets. The reverends J. Sechinsky, P. Kohanik and Nicholas Koshevich were among the early pastors.
In October of 1907, guided by Fr. Nicholas Koshevich, this determined group purchased two lots at Second and Maplewood Avenue for $1,650. With their hands, they laid the foundation of their long-awaited church. It took them two months and cost approximately $6,000 -- lots, construction and materials included. The American Bridge Co donated steel for the foundation. This contribution so overwhelmed the group that they gathered on the grounds of the American Bridge plant with their icons and glorified the donors with prayers and singing.
On November 27, 1907, the first Divine Liturgy was served in the newly built church basement. Named trustees of the fledgling church were Wasil Blishak, John Bowan Sr. Samuel Evans Sr. and Daniel Holovach. Others who contributed their services were families of Timko Romanov, Paul Romanov, Dimitri Skomsky, Theodore Lapihuska, Timko Guch, Harry Kohanik, Stephen Felk, John Evans Sr., A. Zbigley, Nicholas Kuhta, Theodore Fecik, Wasil Liseyko, Joseph Hafiez, Anton Shpak, Nicholas Kulavchik, N. Polovischak, E. Polovischak, Timko Blishko, Harry Shepella, Michael Roman, John Towcimak, Wasil Zawoysky Sr., Wasil Guch, Michael Psinka and Wasil Hritzik.
On August 21, 1911, the parish was incorporated as the Russian Orthodox Church of the Holy Ghost. The congregation adopted as its patron, the Descent of the Holy Ghost (Spirit) upon the Apostles.
The first recorded christening was that of Nicholas Kuhta on October 27, 1907. The first marriage solemnized in the church was that of Theodore Hopta and Anna Hnath on February 8, 1908.
The parish grew steadily, and soon plans were being formulated for completion of the church. In 1912 a building committee was established. The church was completed in December 1914 at a cost of $14,000. The Rev. Andrew Ivanishin officiated at the first Divine Liturgy in the new edifice. The cornerstone, donated by Samuel Evans Sr., and the newly built church were consecrated by the Most Rev. Archbishop Alexander, assisted by Fr. Ivanishin and visiting clergy. The dream had become a reality. Just one year later, a parish home next to the new church was purchased for $5,100.
Now thoughts turned to the church interior. In 1927, led by the Rev. Damian Krehel, the church commissioned Michael Kupetz, a parishioner, to paint the murals for $2,200.
Two years later the present three bells were purchased. Metropolitan Platon blessed them.
The Great Depression ruled out further improvements until November 27, 1941, when, under the leadership of the Rev. Emilian Skuby, a new iconostas and newly renovated church interior were blessed by the Rt. Rev. Benjamin, Bishop of Pittsburgh and West Virginia. The new iconostas was designed and erected by the famous architect-artist Gennady Gordeyev.
That same year saw the outbreak of World War II, and 1950 brought with it the Korean conflict. Twelve young men of the parish were killed in those wars: Michael Chaykowsky, Edward Chumak, Peter Dudenich, Paul Durniak, John Kucer, Michael Kucer, Frank Pastrick, Steve Pastrick, Nicholas Sapovchak, Michael Sudik, George Torhan and Dimitri Wrobleski.
On November 21, 1954, a crystal chandelier was installed and dedicated to the memory of twelve young men from the parish that gave their lives to the service of their country in World War II and the Korean conflict.
In July 1974 a new parish home was purchased on Pilgrim Drive, Leet Township. The old parish home next to the church was converted into an educational center. There the church school organization, which was initiated by the Senior R Club (FROC) during the presidency of Mildred Erdelyn Mitcheil in 1947, continues to meet.
In February 1975 a fire started in the front of the church, severely damaging one corner of the interior. Fr. Vladimir Soroka and Church Council President Irene Bell led the ensuing restoration.
In 1975 The Holy Ghost Orthodox Youth Center began as a gift. The merged Russian Community Society and Russian Society of St. Michael donated the empty building at 405 Maplewood Avenue that formerly housed the Russian Community Society. A building committee was appointed, led by co-chairmen Frank Markvan and Ted Hritsko. The former building was mostly razed and a new structure erected under the guidance of architect George Ruscitto and builder Jerry Steinmetz Construction Corporation. In 1977, two years after the ownership was transferred to the congregation, the transformed building was opened as a center for both parochial events and public events. Today the Center is a hub our Annual Slavic Festival and other church related activities.
In the early 1990's, the parishioners of St. Nicholas Orthodox Church in Aliquippa were welcomed as members of the Holy Ghost congregation when their parish was closed.
In November 1996 the congregation undertook one of the most ambitious renovation projects since the founding of the church in 1907. Cupolas of reinforced gold fiberglass replaced the four deteriorating copper cupolas. This project was the centerpiece of a series of renovation projects that included the complete repainting of the interior of the church, enhanced internal and external lighting, and re-pointing the brick exterior of the church. All of these major projects were completed prior to the congregation's celebration of its 90th anniversary in 1997.
The congregation has just completed a 10-year capital improvements plan in time for the parish's 100th anniversary. These projects included all new iconography in the altar, including a new Platitera icon in the apse over the sanctuary, the total refurbishment of the chandelier, renovated restrooms in the church basement, new wall-to-wall carpeting, and new iconography on the proscenium arch above the iconostas.
From the original 14 families the parish has grown to over 200 adults and 30 children.
From those hard working immigrant families who formed the nucleus, to the present pastor, V. Rev. William Evansky, church council, church organizations and congregation, we are deeply indebted. To those now deceased -- May God grant them eternal rest. To those still in our midst--thank you for a job well done! God bless you and guide you in your continued efforts.