Holy Resurrection of Christ Parish in Lebanon, Pennsylvania, celebrated its Patronal Feast and 110th Anniversary
- Borjan Vitanov
- 52 minutes ago
- 3 min read
Christ is Risen! Truly He is Risen!
By the grace of God, on this radiant Sunday of the Holy Apostle Thomas, following the glorious Pascha of our Lord, our parish of the Holy Resurrection of Christ in Lebanon, Pennsylvania, celebrated its 110th anniversary.
Words fall short in expressing the joy and divine consolation we were granted, as we welcomed our beloved Archpastor and spiritual father, His Grace Bishop Irinej, who, in love and pastoral care, presided over the Divine Mysteries. Standing at the Holy Altar, offering “Thine own of Thine own, on behalf of all and for all,” he made our festal celebration a true revelation of the Kingdom in our midst.
On the eve of the feast, we received His Grace with prayerful gladness. The festal Vespers were served, and at their conclusion, he addressed the faithful with words filled with fatherly warmth and spiritual wisdom, inaugurating our Parish’s 110th festal celebration.
On the following morning, during Orthros, His Grace read the prayers for the reception of a catechumen over our sister Emma, whom we welcomed with joy as she begins her sacred journey toward full communion in the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church.
Soon after, our Bishop tonsured (appointed) into the rank of Readers our devoted brothers Moses, Romanos, and Mark, who have long served faithfully in the Holy Altar and in the life of the parish.
During the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy, at the Small Entrance, His Grace elevated our parish priest, Presbyter-Economos Borjan Vitanov, to the dignity of Protopresbyter—an honor which reflects not only his service, but the life and growth of the entire parish, for every gift in the Church belongs to the fullness of the Body.
In his homily, His Grace spoke of how this post-Paschal Period is known as the Mystagogy, when the Mysteries of the Church—Sacraments are explained to us. As such, reflected in the Gospels of this bright period, we learn of how we relate to Christ, are summoned to renew within us our Baptism through greater comprehension, as we prepare for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in renewal of our own Chrismation through a greater understanding of Orthodoxy as an experiential faith: Taste and see that the Lord is good! (Psalm 34:8).
On this historic day, the multitude of faithful who gathered exceeded all expectation and even our present capacity. Yet what seemed as limitation became a blessing—for the joy of the Resurrection and the grace of the Holy Spirit made room in every heart. Truly, this “good problem” has marked our parish over the past years, as the Lord has granted growth and renewal.
At the conclusion of the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy, His Grace blessed the Festal Bread—Slavski Kolach and Wheat—Koljivo, together with our brother in Christ and Host - Kum George Weis and the gathered community. A joyful agape meal followed in the parish hall, where words of gratitude and brotherly love were offered to all who came to share in this sacred celebration.
As a sign of love and reverence, our Slavski Kum, on behalf of the parish, presented His Grace with a custom-crafted hierarchical staff—paterica fashioned with care from cherry wood harvested from our Shadeland Estate—a place of deep significance within our Diocese and in the Bishop’s heart, and finished with a silver top and tip from Greece.
In his closing words, His Grace spoke with heartfelt encouragement, reminding us that this parish—dedicated to the Holy Resurrection—as its surrounds, has itself been raised from the dead, through the patient prayers, sacrifices, and steadfast faith of the older generations, who endured hardships with hope, longing to see this day of renewal and life.
With both joy and a quiet sorrow, we bid farewell to our Bishop and father, until we gather again in October, when we will continue the celebration of this blessed jubilee.
May the Lord, through the intercessions of the Holy Apostle Thomas and all the saints, especially those who have served and arisen from this holy parish, grant us strength to continue our journey—serving Him and His Church with love, patience, and faithfulness—until His Second Coming in glory, and our entrance into the unending Kingdom of Heaven.
Truly, Christ is Risen!
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