With the grace of our merciful God and with the presence of His Grace Bishop Irinej of Washington-New York and Eastern America, we celebrated our Parish Patronal Feast, St. George the Great-martyr and victory-bearer on Sunday, May 4th, 2025, the Third Sunday after Holy Pascha.  An exceptionally beautiful Hierarchical Liturgy was celebrated. We were blessed to have with us His Grace Bishop Irinej, together with Very Rev. Abbot German, from Nativity of Christ Orthodox Church in Youngstown,  Rev. Deacon Daniel August of St. Elijah Serbian Orthodox Church in Aliquippa, Rev. Presbyter-Economos Vedran Grabic, our parish priest. Readers John Buffalini and Bosko Vucenovic assisted in the Altar with our many altar servers. Liturgical responses were rendered by our Church choir. 

The joy of Christ's Resurrection was among us! Every time the words 'Hristos Voskrese' were exclaimed, and the joyful Resurrection troparion was sung, we were all reminded of the triumph of Christ's glorious Resurrection. The faithful people were visibly lighthearted, and our hosts very happy to see the Church full of people and children becoming one with God while partaking in the Divine Mysteries.

In His sermon, His Grace made some remarkable points that will always stay in the hearts of the people. As the Holy Myrrh-bearing women, and Sts. Joseph of Arimethea and ST, Nicodemus, St. George is a witness of Christ’s Resurrection. Martyr means witness and Saint George witnessed Christ with his martyrdom, the shedding of his blood and continues to do so through his miracle-working relics. His martyrdom then produced more witnesses in the world. Empress Alexandra seeing the blood that St. George shed for Christ, was able to believe on her own and become a Christian, sentenced to death by her husband the Emperor Diocletian. 

Truth cannot be destroyed, it only conquers. The Kingdom of Heaven is founded for us on the blood of Christ at Golgotha and on the blood of martyrs and their witnesses. In Lod (Lydda) we have a beautiful church built where St. George was killed. Oil continues to gush from his tomb today. People from all over the world are coming to take that oil and a blessing from the saint – not just Christians but Muslims as well. On all houses in Lod (Lydda), Christians and Muslims both have icons of St. George above their doors. There is much love and respect for the saint, and he loves us as well. He helps all of us no matter who we are.

This year’s Sponsors – Kumovi were the smallest members of our parish – our Church School children! Their presence in our church brings great joy to all. May God bless and grant them many years. May He also give all of us the strength and wisdom to set a good example to these children that they may continue in our faith and be good Orthodox Christians. 

A joyous reception followed with a luncheon and was enjoyed by all our parishioners and guests. During lunch, His Grace shared his joy in seeing our parish thriving and witnessing Christ in this world. He reminded us all that our backgrounds and histories are here to enrich our parish community. Here is the beauty of Orthodoxy, where each of us coming together and becoming one in Christ weaves a beautiful tapestry. 

Glory to God for this beautiful time we shared together.  By the Grace of God, and through the intercessions of St. George, may we celebrate many more years of service and love to the Holy Orthodox Church.