Tenth Anniversary and Church Consecration

Pastor of St. Nicholas parish, Fr. Robert Holet, was assisted by Archdiocesan clergy, Rev. Frs. George Hnatko, John Haluszczak, Paisius McGrath, and Anthony Perkins – the latter two being parish vocations to the priesthood. Priests from neighboring Orthodox churches also joined in the celebration, including Rev. Frs. Peter Rexinis, Nicholas Bacalis, Jon Emanuelson, and John Manuel. In his remarks at the end of Vespers, Bishop Daniel invited the assembled faithful to remember the first decade of the parish in preparation for the next morning’s Consecration, much as one would await with anticipation the unwrapping of a gift. The Holy Relics of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, Archbishop of Myra in Lycia and the Patron of the Parish, were placed on a table on the solea, awaiting interment in the newly-constructed altar table. Archbishop Antony spoke with gratitude that would be
repeated throughout the weekend of the beautiful singing from the congregation, led by a specially-assembled group of parishioners including Pani Matka Christine Holet. Vespers was followed by a reception in the parish hall, offering the parishioners and guests had the opportunity to visit with the hierarchs, clergy, and one another – some of whom had moved away from the area and returned for this joyous event.

To begin the Consecration Liturgy on Saturday morning, May 2, Fr. Robert welcomed Archbishop Antony and Bishop Daniel at the doors of the church, and the traditional gifts of bread and salt were presented by parishioners Mrs. Yvonne Zubyk and Dr. James Guba. Frs. Hnatko, Haluszczak, McGrath, and Perkins were joined by Fr. Stephen Hutnick and Fr. Volodymyr Steliac, assisted by Subdeacon Nicholas Zachary, seminarian Vasyl Dovhan, and many altar servers. As the congregation sang hymns of St. Nicholas, the Hierarchs entered the sanctuary to begin the ancient service of consecration.

Psalms were chanted while our hierarchs and the assisting priests followed the ancient rites of Consecration including the attachment of the altar table top to the table beneath, joining it to the base by driving wooden pegs into the table with stones. His Eminence sealed the altar with wax into which had been mingled incense, aloe and aromatic spices, recalling by these liturgical actions the Crucifixion of Our Lord and the sacred ministry of the Holy Myrrhbearers. During the continued chanting of Psalms, the Holy Table was washed, anointed, girded, and vested, bringing to mind the Holy Baptism and Chrismation of every Christian. Bishop Daniel next anointed with Holy Chrism the interior walls of the church, beginning with the sanctuary. Afterwards, the Hierarchs, priests, servers, and the entire congregation joined in a solemn, joyful, and beautiful procession around the outside of the church. Bishop Daniel carried aloft the Holy Relics of St. Nicholas, escorted by two altar servers, as Archbishop Antony blessed the walls of the church with Holy Water. Upon reentering the sanctuary, His Eminence anointed the Holy Relics and sealed them inside the altar. With additional prayers glorifying God and petitions for mercy and the renewal of the gift of the Holy Spirit, the service of consecration concluded.

The first liturgical activity in the newly consecrated church was the setting apart of two men for the service of the Lord. Archbishop Antony first tonsured James Guba as a reader. He then ordained readers Gordon (Volodymyr) Malick and James Guba to the order of subdeacon. His Eminence remarked that one indication of the health of a parish is in its vocations, and in one brief decade the St Nicholas parish has already given to the Church two priests, with others continuing in that path.

The Hierarchical Divine Liturgy immediately followed. After the Epistle (Hebrews 3:1-4) and Gospel (John 10:22-26) prescribed for the consecration of a church, Archbishop Antony delivered an inspiring and challenging sermon on the depths and the demands of faith. Every moment of our lives, we all must choose whether to walk in the Lord’s commandments, to pray, to give, and to love. Throughout the entire service, the congregation joyfully participated in the hymns and responses. It was a great blessing for many to communicate in the Holy Mysteries at this Divine Liturgy.
After the services, the parishioners and visiting guests enjoyed a festive luncheon at the Waynesboro Country Club. During the program, remarks of congratulations and encouragement from His Beatitude Metropolitan Constantine were read. Several speakers recalled events in the life of the parish and expressed their gratitude to the Hierarchs and to Fr. Robert and Pani Matka Christine for their years of support and service.