The Protection of the Most-Holy Theotokos (Oct. 1).
This Feast commemorates an event that happened at Constantinople in the 10th Century. In the year 911, during the reign of Emperor Leo the Wise, a large army of Saracens was preparing to attack the city and conquer it. The pious people of Constantinople reacted to the threat by turning to prayer. They thronged to the Church of Blachernae (where was preserved the Robe and Veil of the Mother of God) and there raised their voices to Christ the Lord, and to His Mother, the All-Holy Theotokos, pleading for mercy and help against the foe.
As the soldiers raised their arms in battle, the church was filled with hymns and prayers. Among the believers was St. Andrew, a Fool-for-Christ, and his disciple, St. Epiphanius. Suddenly they saw a vision of the Virgin Mary surrounded by a choir of angels, prophets and apostles. Do you see, brother, the Queen of all praying for the peace of the world asked Andrew? Indeed I see, father, answered the disciple. I see and I fear.
The inhabitants of the city heard of this vision of the two men, and were filled with joy and hope that this was a sign of deliverance. They thanked God and sang hymns to the One who interceded for them. All night they prayed in the church, while outside, the Christian army fought against the invaders. The tide of battle turned against the enemy and the defenders of Constantinople emerged with a decisive victory. Saints Andrew and Epiphanius told everyone of their vision in the church, seeing the Holy Virgin with outstretched arms, holding a veil over the city as a sign of protection, and imploring God's mercy upon the people.
Since that time the Feast of the Protection has come to be celebrated by the Church. In the Feast of the Protection of the Most-Holy Theotokos, we entreat of the Queen of Heaven to protect and help: Remember us in your prayers, O Lady, Virgin Theotokos, that we not perish for the increase of our sins; protect us from all evil and cruel misfortune. For we put our hope on you, and honoring the Feast of your Protection, we magnify you!
On a bright sunny morning, at 9:30 AM, His Grace Bishop Nikolai of Manhattan arrived at our Church, The Holy Virgion Protection Russian Orthodox Church. He is greeted by two subdeacons who escort him to the Church Entrance. There he is met by the Clergy- Father Ignatius Green (presenter of the cross and words of welcome). He is joined by Archpriest George Larin- Rector Emeritus; Archpriest Elias Gorsky - Acting Parish Rector; Archpriest Chad Williams from Saint Alexander Nevsky, Richmond Maine and Hieromonk Theognost - a monk from a Russian Monastery south of Moscow. Four deacons are also present to greet the Vicar Bishop: Parish Protodeacon Dimitri Temidis, Protodeacon Serge Arlievsky from Novo Diveevo; Deacon Panteliemon also from Novo Diveevo and Parish Deacon Andrew Podymow.
During the Divine Liturgy, Father Ignatius was awarded the right to wear the nabedrinik. After the Liturgy, a moleben was served with a cross procession around the Holy Temple.
The Clergy, parishioners and guests were invited by the Prish Sisterhood to the Church Hall to a lenten banquet.
Parish Feast Day
The Feast of the Protection of the Theotokos
Nyack, NY
October13-14, 2011
At the Vigil service, Archpriest George Larin, Rector of the parish, and Archpriest Ilia Gorsky, Assistant Rector were joined by Father Vadim Arefiev, Rector of the Holy Mother of God Inexhaustible Cup Church and St. John of Kronstadt Chapel from Brooklyn, New York. The Vigil was made more festive by the service of Protodeacon D. Temidis and the newly-ordained Deacon Father George Temidis. The temple was filled with parishioners as well as with other worshippers from adjoining parishes.
The following morning, The Parish Rector, Father George Larin, met His Grace, Bishop Jerome Vicar Bishop of Manhattan. The Parishioners, on their Feast day, were blessed with the arrival of the Holy and Miraculous Kursk Icon of the Theotokos. The following clergy served with His Grace: Archpriest George Larin; Archpriest Ilia Gorsky; Archpriest Serafim Gan, Rector of St. Seraphim Orthodox Church in Sea Cliff, NY; Archpriest Victor Tseshkovsky, Rector of the Church of the Nativity of the Theotokos, Mahopac, New York; Protodeacon D. Temidis of the Nyack Parish; Deacon Nicholas Olhovsky from the Holy Trinity Monastery, Jordanville, New York and Deacon George Temidis from the Church of the Nativity of the Theotokos, Mahopac, New York.
During the service, Mr. Alexei Rylov of the Nyack Parish was tonsured to the rank of a reader with the right to wear an orarion. Mrs. Marie Zaporoshan a Parish member, at the end of the service, was awarded with a Synodal Gramata in recognition of her long years of service to the Church and the Nyack Parish.
After the joyous Service, the clergy and laity were invited by the Sisterhood to the Church Hall to join in a festive communal trapeza.
(See Photo Report below)
Pokrov 2010
Protection of the Holy Virgin
Nyack, New York
October 14, 2010
The
Feast Day of our parish began with an All Night Vigil Service. Rector
Archpriest George Larin officiated
the service with Assistant Rector Archpriest Ilya Gorsky; Archpriest Serafim
Gan, Chancellor of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia and
Secretary to His Eminence Metropolitan Hilarion; Protodeacon Joseph Jarostchuk of Saint John Kronstadt,
Utica, NY and Protodeacon Dimitri
Temidis. Many worshippers from adjoining parishes came to pray with the
parishioners from the Nyack Church.
The following morning, the clergy awaited the arrival of His Eminence Metropolitan Hilarion. Upon his arrival, with the pealing of bells, His Eminence was escorted into the temple by Subdeacon Andrei Komendantov. His Eminence was accompanied by hieromonk Father Nikolai Perekrestov.
During
the reading of the Hours, Reader of the Nyack Parish of many years, Dimitri Tchertkoff, with the blessing
of the Metropolitan, was awarded the
right to wear an orarion.
The Pontifical Liturgy was concelebrated with the Rector of the Parish, Archpriest George Larin; Assistant Rector Archpriest Ilya Gorsky; Hieromonk Archpriest Nikolai Perekrestov; Protodeacon Joseph Jarostchuk; Protodeacon Sergei Arlievsky from the Novo Diveevo Convent and Protodeacon Dimitri Temidis. After the Crucession, with the blessing of the Metropolitan, Protodeacon Dimitri Temidis read the Synodal Gramata given to Tatiana Serafimovna Tchertkoff- daughter of Archpriest Serafim Slobodskoy –noted author of the book, titled “Law of God” and past rector of the Nyack Parish, for her tireless and dedicated service to the Church as a reader and singer in the parish choir.
After the Liturgical Dismissal prayer, the clergy, guests and parishioners were invited by the sisterhood to the Church Hall to a bountiful and delicious trapeza.
Feast of the Protection of the Most Holy Theotokos - October 13-14, 2004. - 10/14/04
Metropolitan Laurus officiated the Vigil and the Divine Liturgy Services.(63 images)
Feast of the Protection of the Most-Holy Theotokos: October 14, 2006
Elevation of a new Cross on the Church's Feast Day.
On the second day of the Feast, Metropolitan Laurus officiated the Divine Liturgy.
(52 images)
The first picture (left) shows cell attendant to Archbishop Nikon, John Shaw - now His Grace Bishop Jerome of Manhattan , to the left of Archbishop Nikon holding the Dikiri at the beginning of the crucession. At the top of the stairs stands Deacon Victor Potapov who at that time was the Deacon of the Nyack Parish.
The center picture shows Archbishop Nikon reading the Holy Gospel during the crucession on the Feast Day in 1972. Cell attendant, John Shaw stands to the left of the Archbishop holding the Dikiri. Deacon Victor Potapov holds the Holy Gospel. The Trikiri is held by subdeacon Andrei Papkov whereas to his right stands the newly appointed rector of the Nyack Parish, Father George Larin.
The picture to the right shows another angle of the crucession coming out of the Temple. Archbishop Nikon is in the middle of the picture, with his cell attendant, John Shaw, to his left holding the Dikiri.
Bishop George of Mayfield will not be able to attend as originally planned due to illness, let us pray for a speedy recovery of our Vicar Bishop!