PanOrthodox Concelebration
"This is the day that the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad therein!!!" On Sunday 4 November 2007 a most glorious thing occurred at Holy Trinity Russian Orthodox Church. The Divine Liturgy was celebrated by clergy of three jurisdictions and four parishes. Representing the Patriarchal parishes were Fr. John Vass and Deacon Michael Bishop, both of Holy Trinity. From the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia (ROCOR) we had Fr. Ioan Barbus of Holy Transfiguration Church and Fr. George Johnson of Holy Apostles Church. From the Orthodox Church in America (OCA) we had Fr. Mikael Popkhadze.
Although the Liturgy was mainly in English, Fr. Ioan served in Slavonic and Moravian and Fr. Mikael served in Georgian. We heard the Gospel read in English by Deacon Michael, in Slavonic by Fr. Ioan, and in Georgian by Fr. Mikael. Fr. George preached on unity and quoted the Psalms, "How good it is when brothers dwell in unity."
After the Liturgy we had a pot luck reception and there was plenty of food. But then, this is an Orthodox community and common meals are very important to us. I sat at the clergy table with Matushka Debra Johnson on my left and Fr. Ioan on my right. Next to him was his matushka. Next to Matushka was Fr. George. Fr. John also sat at the table. Fr. Mikael sat with his people.
We had many discussions and plans for future events were being made, including expanding the youth program of Holy Apostles Church and other possibilities. The a youth group which consists of members from their parish, Holy Cross Antiochian parish, and the OCA. They meet every other Friday and they plan to do outreach on the local college campuses.
On some of the lists on the Internet the issue was raised about reconciliation between ROCOR and OCA. This is happening. It takes time and patience. When ROCOR healed the split with Moscow, many of her people left for schismatic communities. This is very sad indeed. These people do not understand that many of us in other jurisdictions want to worship with and learn from our brothers and sisters who belong to ROCOR. Now we have the opportunity and we just hope that the more conservative people in ROCOR will take advantage of the opportunity to welcome us and educate us.
Holy Apostles Church has been a real blessing to many of us. I learned from Matushka Debra that they established the parish as an English speaking parish so that they can reach out to those who are interested in Orthodoxy. The dedicated will come, but what about those who are looking? We have to rach out to them and we can't do this if we insist on service at an unacceptable hour.
I have been to Holy Apostles several times and I have yet to see any attempt there to push the Russian culture on anybody. I have also yet to see the Russian culture being pushed at my own parish and at the diocesan convocation last week. We are praying for Church unity and trying to work out our salvation the best way that we can. We are also trying to spread the Gospel to the best of our ability.
I am also working on a project with Fr. Mikael to produce a Divine Liturgy book in English and Georgian. We hope to have it available by the end of the year 2007.
In the photographs of the clergy below, the order is Deacon Michael, Fr. Ioan, Fr. George, Fr. John, and Fr. Mikael. For my non-Orthodox visitors, in the Orthodox Church deacons do not wear a cross.
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