Visit of His Eminence,
Metropolitan Panteleimon
of Piraeus and the Islands
On Friday, November 2nd, His Eminence Metropolitan Panteleimon paid an
official visit to Holy Trinity Orthodox Church in Phoenix, Arizona; he
was warmly received. He was the source of great spiritual joy for
every parishioner, and others, who attended the special services.
The reasons for his visit were, first, to meet, and become acquainted
with, the Phoenix, Arizona parish and they with him, and second,
to Consecrated the parish church and to serve the first Divine Liturgy
in the newly consecrated church.
Also present for the historical visit and consecration, was the pastor
of The Holy Protection of the Mother of God parish, in Astoria, New
York, Archpriest Anthony B. Gavalas. The Church of St. John the
Theologion, in Boston, was represented by Reader Triphon
Gianiotis, the son of Protopresbyter Gregory Gianiotis, the
pastor.
Saturday afternoon, November 3rd, was spent preparing the altar to
receive the names
of parish members, and the special mixture which would forever seal the
names and Holy Relics into the Holy Table. Preparation for the
historical Consecration began with the 5:00 PM Vigil. Before the 41/2
hour Vigil began, a special service was chanted during which the relics
of three martyrs were placed on the Holy Altar to remain there until
the Service of Consecration which began at 9:00 AM on Sunday morning.
After the Consecration and Divine Liturgy, on Sunday, the parishioners
and guests attended a banquet in honor of His Emeinence Metropolitan
Panteleimon.
The weekend celebrations were the culmination of a five week renovation
of Holy Trinity Orthodox Church. The church Narthex was expanded, and
heavy iron (arched) doors at the entry into the church and into the
Nave were installed. Travertine tile was used throughout the Church. A
special velvatine plaster added a special warmth and feel to the entire
temple.
So many wonderful things took place that it would be very difficult to recount, and publish, them all.
Photos of the Consecration, and the other services that were celebrated, will be published on this website soon.
The sermon given by Metropolitan Panteleimon can be read here
In Christ,
Protopresbyter Stephen