Russian Orthodox Church of Three Saints

BRIGHT SATURDAY 

05/11/2013

 
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On Bright Saturday, May 11, 2013 Divine Liturgy at Three Saints Church was held between clerics of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA and the Eastern American Diocese of the Russian Church Abroad. 

 His Eminence Justinian, Archbishop of Naro-Fominsk, celebrated the divine service, co-served by His Grace,  Bishop Jerome of Manhattan, and a multitude of clergy. 

Prior to the beginning of the service, Archbishop Justinian tonsured three parishioners of the Patriarchal Parishes to the rank of reader: George Konyev (Three Saints Church), Alexander Bacik (St. Elias Church in Battle Creek, MI), and Valeriy Ignatov (St. Nicholas Church in Bayonne, NJ). During the Little Entrance, with the blessing of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill, His Eminence bestowed awards on clergy of Patriarchal Parishes: 
  • Archpriest Roman Star (Dean of the Central States) 
  • and Archpriest Timothy Barna (rector of St. Michael the Archangel Church in Redford, MI) were awarded the miter
  • Archpriest Lawrence Bacik (rector of St. Elias Church), was awarded the jeweled cross; 
  • and Priest Mikhail Kapchits (rector of St. Nicholas Church in Bayonne) was elevated to the rank of archpriest.

After the Prayer behind the Ambo, Archbishop Justinian proclaimed the Prayer at the Breaking of the Artos, after which the Archpastors, clergy, and faithful processed around the church, with their joyous cries of "Christ is Risen! 

After the Divine Liturgy, a grand trapeza was held in the Parish Hall under the direction of Parish Protodeacon Daniel Sudol and a multitude of parishoners who lent their assitance to the church to make a joyous Paschal day a success! 

 
 
      On the night of May 4-5, parishioners of the Russian Orthodox Church of Three Saints, celebrated the radiant feast of the Resurrection of Christ! During the day on May 4th, the Paschal Baskets were blessed by Parish rector Archpriest George Konyev. The Acts of the Apostles were read before the Holy Shroud prior to the beginning of the Midnight Office. During the singing of the Ninth Ode, "Do Not Lament Me O Mother", the Holy Shroud was returned to the Holy Altar Table where it will remain until the Ascension of Christ.  At 12:00 the clergy in the Altar began singing, "Thy Resurrection o Christ our Savior" in which the Paschal Procession commenced. At the principal doors of the Church, with the exclamation of the Festal Troparion, "Christ is Risen from the Dead.." the Matins of Pascha began. During the Matins, the Sermon of St. John Chrysostom was read from the solea. At the end of Matins, eggs were blessed and distributed among the faithful.

      Hours later the same day, the Triumphant Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom was served. Communion was distributed to hundreds of faithful who flocked to Three Saints Church. 
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Photographs Can Be Viewed on the Online Gallery
 
 
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During the afternoon of, Great and Holy Friday, the Great Vespers service was served, and the Holy Shroud was processed to the center of the Church. 

Later that evening, the Matins of Great and Holy Saturday was served. The Lamentations were read before the Tomb of Christ. During the singing of the Great Doxology, the Holy Shroud was censed, and during the singing of the solemn, "Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, Have mercy On Us", the Holy Shroud was processed around the Church.


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Photographs of Vespers
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Photographs of Matins
 
 
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One of the most solemn services of Holy Week - The of Matins of Great and Holy Friday. Worshippers gathered at the Russian Orthodox Church of Three Saints to recount the Lord's betrayal, trial, scourging, death, and burial. 
The main aspect of Matins is the Reading of the 12 Passion Gospels. These Gospels chronologically depict the final hours of the life of Jesus Christ. 

The Holy Gospels are separated into different parts of Matins. The First Gospel according to St. John tells of Jesus' discourse with the Disciples and ending with the departure into the Garden beyond the torrent of Cedron.
 
Faithful stand with lighted candles to bear witness to the events in the City of Jerusalem as they are read aloud by the Priest in the center of the Church. 
The twelfth and final gospel of St. Mathew tells of the sealing of the tomb of Christ and the setting of the guard.


 
 
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On Holy and Great Wednesday, May 1, 2013, the sacrament of Holy Unction was preformed at the Russian Orthodox Church of Three Saints. The service was celebrated by Archpriest George Konyev, Parish Rector, and Hieromonk Stephen (Bushman). A great multitude of worshipers came to church, with the prayers and aspirations to be cleansed of their illnesses and to wash their souls clean, before we commemorate the final days of the life of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

 
 
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On Sunday, April 28, 2013 the Holy Orthodox Church celebrated the feast of the Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem. The church was adorned with palms and flowers, and the faithful stood with pussy willows, preparing to joyously greet the Savior and cry out to Him: “Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord!” After the conclusion of the services the previous evening, Fr. George performed the rite of blessing the pussy willows, which were then distributed to the faithful. On Sunday morning, everyone once again came with joy to the Holy Chalice, and the rector called on everyone to remain close to the Lord as He embarks on the path to His voluntary suffering for our sake and for our salvation.

 
 
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We would like to welcome into Orthodoxy the newly illumined (baptized) child Alexander and baby Gregory, who was brought into the love and grace of God’s family through the Sacraments of Baptism & Chrismation on Sunday the 28th of April. We pray that the Lord’s hand will guide them throughout their future years and keep them healthy and faithful in His ways and in His word and prayer. 
Many Years — Многая Лета! 


 
 
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We would like to welcome into Orthodoxy the newly illumined (baptized) children Ariane, Nijiborg, Nicholas Nainani and Jacob Martinetti who was brought into the love and grace of God’s family through the Sacraments of Baptism & Chrismation on Sunday the 6th of April. We pray that the Lord’s hand will guide them throughout their future years and keep them healthy and faithful in His ways and in His word and prayer. 
Many Years — Многая Лета! 


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Baptism of Baby Jacob
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Baptism of Baby Ariane
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Baptism of Baby Nicholas
 
 
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We would like to welcome into Orthodoxy the newly illumined (baptized) baby Peter Karole who was brought into the love and grace of God’s family through the Sacraments of Baptism & Chrismation on Friday the 5th of April. We pray that the Lord’s hand will guide him throughout their future years and keep him healthy and faithful in His ways and in His word and prayer. 
Many Years — Многая Лета! 


 
 
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We would like to welcome into Orthodoxy the newly illumined (baptized) children Zachary and Alexandra Cinek who was brought into the love and grace of God’s family through the Sacraments of Baptism & Chrismation on Sunday the 24th of March. We pray that the Lord’s hand will guide them throughout their future years and keep them healthy and faithful in His ways and in His word and prayer. 
Many Years — Многая Лета!