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February 7, 2007 - This photoreport summarizes the first three major Feast Days of calendar year 2007. The first feast - observed on January 1 - is a triple observance - the Feast of the Circumcision of Our Lord, the commemoration of St. Basil the Great (dual icon below left), and, of course, the beginning of the civil New Year. The second Feast Day of the new year also occurs early in the New Year - January 6. It is the Feast of Theopany which commemorates the Baptism of Jesus Christ in the Jordan River (icon below center). The third major feast of the year is the Presentation of Our Lord in the Temple (icon below right). This Feast Day is observed on February 2. All three Feast Days are covered collectively in this photoreport inasmuch as there is already archived material on this site which offers Scriptural readings for the days and an explanation of the Feasts on an individual basis. What is important at this point as our parish website matures is to have a permanent record for posterity that SS. Peter and Paul Orthodox Church observed in the year of Our Lord 2007 a full schedule of major Feast Day celebrations and that parishioners did in fact attend services which were celebrated by our Rector, Rev. David Garretson.
The Circumcision of Our Lord/St. Basil the Great/Civil New Year
January 1, 2007 - Happy New Year! Although the Orthodox Church recognizes the beginning of the Civil New Year, She celebrates two Feasts - the Circumcision of Our Lord and the commemoration of St. Basil the Great on the first day of the year. The service of Vespers was celebrated on New Year's eve (photos below) and Divine Liturgy was celebrated by Rev. David Garretson on the Feast Day itself.
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You may click on the photo above left to view an enlargement.
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The Feast of Holy Theophany - The Baptism of Jesus Christ
January 6, 2007 - The Feast Day of Holy Theophany commemorates the Baptism of Jesus Christ by John the Baptist in the river Jordan. It is on this day that water is blessed and sanctified both at the evening service on the eve of the Feast and at Divine Liturgy on the Feast Day itself. Below are scenes from the Vesperal Liturgy on the morning of the Eve of the Feast as well scenes from the service on the Eve of the Feast. Very Rev. Sergius Kuharsky, Pastor Emeritus of our parish, celebrated the evening service with our Rector, Rev. David Garretson.
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You may click on the composite photo above to view an enlargement.
The Feast of the Meeting of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in the Temple
February 2, 2007 - The Feast Day of the Presentation of Our Lord in the Temple was observed at SS. Peter and Paul Orthodox Church with Great Vespers with Litiya on the Eve of the Feast and with Divine Liturgy on the Feast Day itself. At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, it is traditional that candles are blessed inasmuch as Jesus Christ is the Light of the world. The photos below were taken at the Divine Liturgy on the morning of the Holy Day, many of them from the perspective of the Sanctuary.
Many Years! Mnogaya Lyeta! to those who celebrated and participated in the observance of the first three major feasts of the year of Our Lord 2007.
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Copyright © 2007, Saints Peter and Paul Orthodox Church, South River, NJ
