News – Page 7 – Saint Andrew's Orthodox Church

Good Luck in College!

On Sunday, August 5, we were sad to say so long (for now!) to our parish’s devoted and faithful son Christopher, who had been recently tonsured to the rank of Reader. Chris is heading to Purdue College to study fields related to aviation. You can read a wonderful interview with him in the current issue of The Cupola.

New Icon Arrives, Completing Project

Today an important milestone was reached here at St. Andrew’s with the arrival of the icon of the Second Coming of Christ. After preliminary discussions with our iconographer, Heather MacKean, in the latter part of 2009 regarding the subject and size of the icon, it was formally commissioned in late January, 2010.

Fr. John Receives Jeweled Cross

His Eminence Bishop Michael graciously took time from his busy schedule surrounding the Saint Tikhon’s Monastery Pilgrimage on Sunday, May 27 to visit Saint Andrew’s and its faithful, as they celebrated the 25th anniversary of their pastor Fr. John Klingel’s ordination to the Holy Priesthood. During his visit, His Grace tonsured our faithful altar server and singer, Chris Whitehorn, to the rank of Reader. At the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy, His Grace formally awarded the jeweled cross, a loving gift from several parishioners, as well as the right to wear the palitza, upon Fr. John.

In presenting a gramota (citation) from the Holy Synod of Bishops, thanking Fr. John for his dedicated service over the last 25 years, His Grace remarked on the life of the Holy Apostle Paul, who supported his ministry through a career of tent-making. The lives of such ‘tentmaker’ priests, His Grace noted, are marked by their own unique difficulties and sacrifies. As Fr. John takes on the dual challenge of ministering to his parishioners, while also laboring in the world to support his family and ease the financial burden of his parish, he and his family frequently have to “do without,” offering their family life in devotion and service to Our Lord.

Following the joyful service, a celebratory reception was held at the nearby BiVio Ristorante, during which Fr. John offered words of thanks to the parish and his family, and Parish Council President Mark Guyer presented a slideshow of photos from Fr. John’s twenty-five years of ministry. The parish is particularly grateful to His Grace for his pastoral visitation and encouragement, and especially also to Deacon John Diamantis and his wife Andrea, of our mother parish of Holy Trinity in East Meadow, for joining us for the weekend.

Additional pictures of the Liturgy and meal may be viewed at here.

Lenten Mission Vespers at St. Andrew’s

On Sunday, March 11, the Sunday of St. Gregory Palamas, the NYC Deanery served Mission Vespers here, at St. Andrew Church.

Clergy from throughout the Long Island and New York City area joined together for the concelebration of the Mission Vespers service, which are a hallmark of the Lenten season and are traditionally served by all the area’s clergy in different churches each Sunday during Lent.

Midwinter Updates

With the beginning of the Lenten Triodion this week, we look forward to the Springtime it announces, both literally, but also the ‘Springtime of our hearts’; the renewal of the Lenten journey. But finding ourselves still firmly in Winter as we enter this month of February, we find the parish has had no lack of energy, despite the temptation of lethargy wintertime may bring. Below are some ‘midwinter updates’ on all that has been going on.