With great sadness we announce the repose of the servant of God Theodosis on Thursday, September 29. Teddy was a beloved part of our community for many years and will sorely be missed. The funeral arrangements are as follows:
Continue reading Memory Eternal: Theodosis CalpakisOn Monday, August 15, the community of St. Andrew’s gathered together for the Great Feast of the Holy Dormition – the celebration of the repose, and translation to everlasting-life, of the Mother of God.
This year, despite the difficulties faced by work days and summer camp schedules, Fr. John encouraged the faithful to keep the feast, and indeed 30 of us gathered together for the Festal Divine Liturgy, after which we celebrated the blessing of new flowers and herbs (traditionally in full blossom at this time of year and blessed on this feast). Afterward, we broke bread with a beautiful festive agape meal overseen by Andrea Filak.
This year’s celebration was made all the more beautiful and enriching thanks to the completion of a full set of new blue vestments and altar cloths; a color which is traditionally associated with the Theotokos and her feasts, and which were used for the first time during this celebration. The parish greatly appreciates the generosity of the donors who established this project in memory of their loved ones. We hope that all were spiritually nourished by the fullness of this celebration, and that in the years to come, we will always mark this Great Feast with zeal and love for the Mother of God.
Our parish was honored with the visit of His Eminence, Archbishop Michael of New York on July 26, 2015. In connection with His Eminence’s visit, our parish celebrated our annual summertime Parish ‘Mini’ Picnic. We also give thanks to God for two other wonderful events which occurred during this archpastoral visitation: His Eminence tonsured the servant Richard (John) into the ranks of the clergy and ordained him to the rank of Reader, and received the servant Eric into the ranks of the catechumen. We pray that they both will grow in grace and beauty before the Lord!
We were saddened to learn this morning of the repose in Our Lord of one of our parish’s founders, +John Jerosh, around 3:00 AM. John had been suffering from heart failure, and had been admitted to hospice on Monday. Please find the funeral arrangements below.
Wake – Sunday January 19
2:00 – 4:00 PM
7:00 – 9:00 PM, with a Memorial Service at 8:00 PM.
A.L. Jacobsen Funeral Home
1380 New York Avenue, Huntington Station, NY 11746
Funeral – Monday January 20
10:00 AM, with burial to follow.
St. Andrew’s Orthodox Church
1095 Carlls Straight Path, Dix Hills, NY 11746
May the newly-departed John’s memory be eternal!
On November 29 and 30, the parishioners of Saint Andrew’s Orthodox Church celebrated the patronal feast of their temple’s heavenly protector, the Holy Apostle Andrew the First-Called. The feast was made all the greater by the presence of many visiting friends and fellow faithful, all together gathering around their archpastor, His Grace Bishop Michael.
For a number of reasons, the parish’s celebration of its Patronal Feast had fallen on hard times in the past. But in a small sign of the renewal we see all across our diocese, by the Grace of God and with the constant encouragement and presence of our beloved Bishop Michael, it has begun to flourish again. This year marked the first time the parish was able to celebrate the feast as it is appointed to be served – with a Vigil on the eve and the Divine Liturgy on the feast itself – in at least a decade.
It was a great joy for the choir to join with visiting singers to reacquaint the parish with the beautiful hymnography celebrating Saint Andrew, particularly during the festal Matins. The services proved to be a feast of faith, spiritually enriching all those who took time from their busy Thanksgiving Day weekend to offer true thanksgiving to Our Lord and His first-called apostle, Andrew. The festive meals shared afterwards allowed everyone to continue the joy and fellowship throughout the weekend.
The parish is deeply grateful to Bishop Michael for his ministry, presence, patience, and prayers with our community on this occasion. Likewise, the parish extends its gratitude to Fr. Seraphim Joa, Fr. John and Matushka Doreen Bartholomew, Fr. Nathan Preston, Subdeacon David Lucs, and Reader Robert and Kamelia Sirico – along with all of our guests, and all those who helped organize the services, reception, and beautiful dinner. We prayerfully anticipate joining together in unity again as one Orthodox community on Long Island, this upcoming Theophany – as we join together with Bishop Michael to bless the Island’s Great South Bay and the waters of the Atlantic.
Photographs can be viewed here.
Photo credits: Edna Fetkowitz, Keti Kvetenadze, Andrew Alexandrovich.
