Saint Nicholas Day 2006

When I went to the Liturgy at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church on Thanksgiving Day, Fr. Emanuel invited me to serve with them also on their patronal feast day. He also told me that the bishop, Metropolitan Evangelos, will be here for the event.

I came directly from work to the church and arrived in plenty of time. Archimandrite Constantine was outside with two other priests when I arrived. Aftaer greeting them, I put my things in the clergy dressing room, folded my vestments to be blessed, and came out with my Nikon camera. I did not use the Canon at all this evening.

The bishop presided from his throne and I was in the altar during the whole service. The one time that the bishop walked into the altar, somebody stepped in front of me as I was about to take the photograph and therefore I did not get one. The altar was quite crowded with 14 priests, four altar servers, two sacristans, and me. The service was beautiful, although long. I am just thrilled to be a part of it.

After the service there was a reception downstairs. The women outdid themselves in serving the clergy. As soon as I walked into the hall, one of the women directed me over to the table reserved for the clergy and I did as I was told. At the end when the bishop was leaving, I was in line to receive his blessing, and as he blessed me, he surprised me by saying, "How are you, Michael?" I di dnot think that he knew my name, but I should had known better. In the Orthodox Church, we are one big family. My Orthodox friends are fully aware of this.

The bishop just arrived
Some of the priests in the altar
Deacon Michael, formerly of this parish
	Altar servers
	Priests during a Litany
	I want to get a good photo of this icon one day
	Yours truly taken by one of the priests	Fr Dean, Fr Emmanuel, and Deacon Michael
Fr Emmanuel, Deacon Michael, and Fr. Lou

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