Dear Parishioners and Friends:
Christ is risen!
I am polling the members of our parish council regarding the tentative reopening of our parish church. Please be advised that once the civil authorities will again permit public gatherings in Suffolk County, NY (a decision over which we have no control or influence), we must first draft a plan for reopening which must be approved by our Archpastor, Vladyka Michael (Dahulich). Such a plan must be consistent with the guidelines issued by both the Holy Synod of the OCA and our own Diocesan Guidelines. Many issues are presented by the issue of reopening the church amidst this pandemic and we encourage all parishioners to read the article posted by Robin Freeman on our OCA website this week (https://www.oca.org/reflections/misc-authors/what-covid-19-means-for-singing-in-church) which speaks to these issues.
Another excellent resource I have come across recently is a short podcast delivered by Sister Vassa (Larin), a ROCOR rasophore nun living in Vienna who is a well-regarded liturgical scholar. In this talk, Sr. Vassa discusses the origin of the liturgical spoon that is presently used to administer Holy Communion, the development of this custom and its meaning and significance. I found this talk to be both stimulating and thought-provoking and I hope you enjoy it: (https://www.patreon.com/posts/37323947).
Finally, I want to thank all of you for your generosity to the Church during this time. Many parishioners have sent in checks by mail to support the parish, or have made contributions via our new on-line donation system (https://www.standrewsoca.org/donate/). We are so grateful for your support as our basic expenses have continued throughout the pandemic, even though we have been unable to gather together as a parish ordinarily would do. Your calls and letters have been heartwarming and I cannot wait until we can once again resume parish life as we once enjoyed it! Nevertheless, we must be patient and accepting of God’s will for us, hoping that we will learn humility from a situation over which we have no control.
That’s all that I have for now, but I look forward to writing again, soon. I miss all of you and love all of you dearly and ask your patience and prayers as we await our reunion!
Yours in Christ,
Fr. John