Saint Nicholas Orthodox Church

Our Family at St. Nicholas Orthodox Church
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 New Altar Table is Installed, Blessed and Vested

Last Sunday, December 19th, our parish made an important step towards following the apostle’s admonition: “Let all things be done decently and in order” (1 Cor. 14:40). A proper Altar Table, properly adorned with appropriate vestments, was installed in the altar. Below are some of the photos capturing that sacred event.

The first photo on the left presents us with the new Altar Table bare and ready to be blessed and vested. To the East and an inch away from it is the specially-made shelf with semisvechnik, or seven-branch candle stand, on it. (Please also note an icon on the wall right above the Altar Table. It is one of the two icons (written on canvas) which were donated to by Archimandrite Pachomy of Saint Sabbas Monastery in Harper Woods, MI. We had had the two icons for over two years before pasting them up on the walls of the altar this Fall. A couple of weeks ago Emmanuel Mixis skillfully wrote the names of the saints, who are: Holy Hierarch Michael, First Metropolitan of Kiev (†992), and Holy Hierarch Alexios, Metropolitan of Moscow and All Russia, the Wonderworker (†1378). Saint Michael’s icon is on the northern wall of the altar, while the image of Saint Alexios is on the opposite southern wall.)

First, the new Altar Table was simply censed and sprinkled with the Holy Water (therefore, we are yet to witness the full consecration of the Altar).

Then, the undergarment (known as srachitsa, or katasarkion) was blessed and the Altar was vested in it.

The same was repeated for inditia, the outer garment.

Those who witnessed the vesting of the Altar noticed that while srachitsa fitted tight, inditia’s sides are made open, they are buttoned together where the sides meet at the corners.

Then the red pelena, or covering cloth, was put on, thus completing the vesting of the Altar Table. A small cross was sewn right in the middle of the pelena

 The last step in the installation of the new Altar Table was lighting of the semisvechnik, placing on the Altar all the sacred objects which should be there: tabernacle (containing the Body of Christ), antimins, Holy Gospel and the blessing crosses. Finally, the burning lampada was placed in front of the tabernacle, as a sign of the constant presence of Christ on the Holy Altar Table in His Awesome Mysteries.

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Parish Picnic - 2009

Last Sunday, September 20th, a large group of our parishioners gathered at Michael and Janet Petyo’s house for a picnic. Initially, it was supposed to be an ‘appreciation’ picnic for all who contributed to the success of our participation in the Hobart Lakefront Fest in August. However, as the date for the picnic was approaching, it was decided that this picnic would be a good opportunity for the whole congregation to get together — a rare occurrence outside of the walls of our temple.

Many of us made it to Michael and Janet’s that afternoon and enjoyed each other’s company, good conversations, brats (lots of other kinds of food, too), rain, football, tea, etc. Every one who was there brought a dish or two with them, so the table was well-laden with good food. Of especial excellence was hospitality provided by Michael and Janet Petyo who made sure that everyone had an enjoyable afternoon, even if a bit wet (but that was not their fault).

Here is a photo report on the event, with photos appearing in no particular order (or rather in the order they came off from Michael Petyo’s camera).

P.S. If for some reason you do not like the way you came out on these pictures — no problem, we can have another picnic next Sunday and re-take those shots.