Church Services
May 31, 2004 - Memorial Day. "Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." (John 15:13). Keeping in mind the words of Jesus, many parishoners turned out at 8:00 a.m. this day to participate in a civil and religious observance of the memory of those who have served and died defending the principle of freedom on which our country was founded. A listing of the names in the program for the day (photo below left) reveals that, in the 99 year history of our parish, 187 men and women have served in the Armed Forces and subsequently reposed. Of this number, 15 have made the ultimate sacrifice having been killed in action (13 in World War II and 2 in Vietnam).
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Each year the observance is held at a different family plot wherein a veteran or veterans repose. This year, the service was held at the family plot of George Volgyi and Arthur Kaminsky (photos above). In photos below, Father David greets members of the Volgyi and Kaminsky families before the beginning of services.
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Services began promptly at 8:00 a.m. with the military portion first as veterans process up the hill to the Volgyi/Kaminsky family plot. The veterans visit several different cemeteries on this day and, given the early hour, it is evident that our parish's cemetery is the first one visited by them this day.
Full honors are granted including the playing of "Taps" and a gun salute.
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In photo above left, Father David, prepared for the beginning of the Requiem Service, listens to the completion of the military service. Note the green vestment (the stole or epitrachelion) that he is wearing. It symbolizes the divine power that strengthens the priest during the course of his serving. The priest may not conduct any service without the wearing of his stole. It is green in color today because in addition to Memorial Day, on the Church calendar, it is the day after Pentecost - the Day of the Holy Spirit (for an explanation, please see Holy Pentecost 2004 on the Church Photos page). Above right, Father David begins the General Requiem of the Orthodox Church. Below left, the veterans recess down the hill as, below right, the Requiem continues.
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The two photos below show the Requiem in progress and, as well, a portion of the large number of parishoners in attendance. Our debt to these servicemen and women includes, among other things, the freedom to assemble and worship as we choose and the freedom to conduct our lives as we choose in accordance with the laws of God and civil authority.
The photo below left shows the eastern side of the Altar Table in the Sanctuary of our Church. Inscribed are the 13 names of those of our parish who lost their lives in World War II in the service of their country. As we remember those reposed who have served our country, we also call to heart those presently serving our country both here and abroad. In photo below right taken on May 30, 2004, Sunday School children have prepared a greeting and message of love to be sent to servicewoman Karen Bonet stationed in Iraq. Ms. Bonet is parishoner Diane Dreyer's "Adopt-a-Soldier" from Operation Sandbox.
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