We celebrated Liturgy today (June 14) for the first time after the Church being closed for three months, due to the coronavirus. Richard McLaughlin kindly met with me to set up things on Saturday afternoon, and was a huge help. We brought out the old altar that had been used by the community from its earliest times, and the matching Table of Oblation, and covered them with green cloths for the Feast of Pentecost, which was exactly one week ago. We placed the Altar on the cement walkway immediately outside the doors to the Narthex, which we left closed, and the Table of Oblation just to the left of the Altar. Nilus and Moses assisted as altar servers, and were invaluable. Lasha was on hand to conduct, and Juliana and Andrea were the singers. In attendance for the service were Richard, Jan & Mike, Andrew, Steven, and Gabriella.
The weather was absolutely beautiful, the air was cool and not humid, with a blue sky and sunshine. We had some bumblebees and other insects who visited us but offered no disturbance. The grounds were in good order and the flowerbeds full of color and variety. I tried to keep things as simple and unencumbered as possible, including the sermon. But it was hard to ignore the extreme beauty of the day and the fact that we were able to celebrate outdoors beneath the watchful eyes of our Patron, St. Andrew, whose icon was immediately above us. The green hue from the trees all of which were in the fullness of their midsummer splendor filled the air with a kind of Pentecostal glory.
When we made the entrances, both Little and Great, we simply moved straight to the left along the porch and out between the shrubs, from where we turned left and walked onto the lawn, and then up again to stand in front of the Altar. On either side of the Altar and a bit further out, we had placed the icons of Christ and the Theotokos on their analoi stands. We placed chairs on the lawn as markers for where people ought to stand, maintaining adequate distance from person to person. Finally, since it was the Feast of All Saints, we placed this Feastday icon on an analoi at the bottom of the sidewalk, closer to the parking lot.
In the sermon, I tried to reflect on how when I was a child and an avid television watcher, early in the morning a service advisory would be broadcast with a piercing sound and the words, “this is only a test.” It seemed a good reminder of what we were experiencing under the impact of the coronavirus and the many inconveniences and changes we had to endure. A test which for some, without doubt, involved great suffering and tragedy but nevertheless, a time of change for all that won’t be easily forgotten. The Gospel message “And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me” could not be a more poignant reminder of just what discipleship entails as we lay aside our own preferences and wants.
A lovely rhythm marked the singing which was clear and brisk in the open air, and it was comforting to hear again the familiar hymns, intonations and cadences that we have tried to reproduce in our homes during the quarantine. Lasha, a model of strength and reliability, assured me that he was fine and seemed unchanged and unperturbed in every way.
When receiving Holy Communion, I asked each communicant to stand first and listen to the prayer, and then to open their mouth wide to avoid touching the spoon. This was largely successful. Nilus washed each spoon after its use, and Moses handed each person a paper towel to wipe their mouth. We had a total of eight communicants. When you have done things the same way for many, many years, it’s very hard to change your practice, even slightly, but everyone was cooperative.
It was good to get back to Church and to see other members of the community. Even if not everyone was present, enough were present to remind us of the fellowship that we have all been missing in our lives. I can only hope that over the next several months we can resume our common life with a new appreciation for being together and the sacramental presence of each person.
–Fr. John