 On November 3, the 19th Sunday after Pentecost, the Interim Administrator of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA & Canada, Bishop Matthew of Sourozh visited St. John the Baptist Church in Little Falls, NJ where he celebrated the Divine Liturgy. At the doors of the church, the hierarch was greeted by students of the parish school, and parish council president James Levitsky. His Grace was concelebrated by Acting Chancellor of the Patriarchal Parishes Abbot Nicodemus (Balyasnikov), Archpriest Mikhail Kapchits (dean of the Eastern States), Priest Mark Rashkov (parish rector, Vice-Chancellor of the Patriarchal Parishes), director of the hierarchal protocol Deacon Alexis Golubov, Protodeacons Serge Kerko & Paul Drozdowski (cleric of St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in Howell, NJ). The parish choir sang under the direction of Alla Kerko. The mayor of Little Falls, James Damiano and other members of the city administration visited the parish. At the end of the Liturgy, the archpastor, clergy, numerous parishioners and guests of the festive service performed a procession around the church, during which Bishop Matthew consecrated the icon of the heavenly patron of the parish- the holy prophet and Forerunner John the Baptist, made at the expense of the benefactors Peter and Dmitry Drozdowski, which adorned the central façade of the church. Priest Mark Rashkov read a prayer to the saint before the newly consecrated icon. At the end of the service, the archpastor was warmly greeted by the rector of the church, Father Mark, who, on behalf of all the parishioners, thanked Bishop Matthew for celebrating the Liturgy and consecrating the newly erected icon. Bishop Matthew addressed the congregation with a sermon and also expressed gratitude to the rector, the president and parish council, benefactors, the conductor and singers, volunteers and all parishioners for their labors for the good of the Church and love for their parish. Bishop Matthew cordially welcomed the city mayor Mr. Damiano and representatives of his administration for their attention and support of one of the oldest churches in Little Falls. At the intercession of Bishop Matthew, for their many years of zealous work for the benefit of the Church of St. John the Baptist, the president of the parish, James Levitsky, and his predecessor in this post, Gregory Carol, were awarded the medals of St. Seraphim of Sarov by His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus'. In gratitude for the construction of the icon of St. John the Baptist, Bishop Matthew presented a hierarchal gramota to Dmitry Drozdwoski. The archpastor presented all participants of the Liturgy with an icon of the Iveron Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos, consecrated on Mount Athos. The service ended with the proclamation of the polychronion to His Holiness Patriarch Kirill, His Grace Bishop Matthew, the rector, clergy, president and parish committee, the head of the city, benefactors, parishioners and guests of the feast. Interaction continued over a fraternal meal in the cultural center of the Church of St. John the Baptist, prepared by the parish sisterhood. The participants of the meal were greeted by the Dean of the Eastern States, Archpriest Mikhail Kapchits, the city mayor James Damiano, and the parish president James Levitsky. After the meal, the bishop familiarized himself with the activities of the Sunday school, the sisterhood, the parish museum, and the library. |
