October 23-27, 2006 - October seems to be the month for major renovations at SS. Peter and Paul Orthodox Church in South River, New Jersey. You will recall that a refurbished chandelier was installed two years ago, also in October. Whereas the reinstallation of the chandelier was accomplished in one day, installation of the new Iconostasis for our parish took the better part of an entire week. This photoreport is in two parts - this first part describes the preparation of the old Iconostasis to receive the new icons and introduces the viewer to the Russian-born, California native, Mr. Dmitry Shkolnik - the iconographer for the new Iconostasis in our Church. Part two shows the actual installation of the new icons and takes the viewer on an icon-by-icon tour of the new structure.
Above - quite an unusual sight to see - an Iconostasis without icons. Workers had removed the old icons in anticipation of placement of the new icons. Below left, the Candle Desk area had become temporary storage as it was necessary to move many items away from the Iconostasis to facilitate installation of the new icons. Below right, candle stands were grouped in front of the iconography on the back wall of our Church. Those icons were also written by Dmitry Shkolnik. More about Mr. Shkolnik further on in this report.
The Altar table was covered to protect it from damage during the icon installation (above left) and valuable cloths were placed in large Tupperware-like containers to protect them from becoming soiled. Below left - a view of our Church from the Sanctuary - the other side of the Iconostasis. Below right - in short, the Sanctuary had temporarily been converted into a work site and only the Table of Oblation appeared to be undisturbed by the installation process.
As one would expect, scaffolding was installed on both sides of the Iconostasis. Above left, a view of the scaffolding which was installed in the Sanctuary. Above right, vertical support columns which could not be moved certainly made installation of new icons in these areas more difficult.
In the two photos above left and the photo below left, the former icons had been respectfully laid aside in anticipation of the new iconography (above right and below right).
Above, the schematic layout for the new Iconostasis is shown above - each new icon had a specific destination. Below left, iconographer Dmitry Shkolnik flew in from California to be with us in South River for the entire week. The new icons accompanied Mr. Shkolnik on a flight from San Francisco to Newark. Mr. Shkolnik is shown below left adding the finishing touches in the Church Hall to the icon of the Nativity. Below right, a semicircular icon of the Dormition lies horizontally for a few minutes more before taking its upright position in the new Iconostasis on a permanent basis.
Above left - not only was Rev. David Garretson, Rector of SS. Peter and Paul Orthodox Church in attendance for the project for the entire week, he pitched in a considerable amount of work, as we shall see. Below right, Mr. Shkolnik holds the new icon "The Harrowing of Hades" - the representational icon for PASCHA. In the background of this photo is the former icon for the Resurrection. Mr. Shkolnik is a graduate of Holy Trinity Seminary (ROCOR) in Jordanville, New York, having received a Bachelor of Theology degree there. He is married and the father of five children. Examples of his iconography are in many Orthodox Churches in the United States and, as well, throughout the world, including the new Christ the Savior Cathedral in Moscow.
Above right and below left - Mr. Shkolnik and his assistant - also named Dmitry - worked in the Church Hall, putting finishing touches on the icons, including hand-written lettering. Above left, completed icons lay upstairs in a Church Hall classroom. This provided your reporter a unique opportunity to photograph the icons close-up in a manner which will never be possible again. You will see the results of that photography in Part II. of this photoreport. Below right - some artistic doodling by Mr. Shkolnik.
Measuring and planning were occurring simultaneously in Church. Above right, parishioners Nell and Leo Radionoff stopped by to observe the work. Below left - the two Dmitrys evaluate their handiwork. Below right and in the photos which follow, Mr. Shkolnik applies lettering to the icons with a paintbrush. All lettering is freestyle with no templates and Mr. Sholnik is amazingly good at writing with a paintbrush!
Above right, those icons which will occupy the lower tier in the new Iconostasis have been lined up in the Church Hall. Below - Mr. Shkolnik applies lettering to the Deisis icon (Jesus Christ, the Theotokos, and St. John the Baptist). It is the Deisis icon which will occupy the central position uppermost in the Iconostasis.
Above left - parishioner Robert Pisuk assists Fr. David in the cutting of wood strips which will help stabilize the new icons in the Iconostasis. No priestly vestments are required for this type of service to the Church! Below left - Mr. Shkolnik's assistant Dmitry sits on scaffolding in front of the Iconostasis while Fr. David's friend of more than 25 years, Ken Harris, sits on scaffolding in the Sanctuary. Mr. Harris - a very experienced constructor of stage settings in the Broadway theater - placed the wood strips which helped to secure the new icons. Together, they worked as a team.
Lower extremities dangle from the scaffolding as the work progresses (above left). Above right - electrical wiring behind the Iconostasis will also require attention before the project can be called complete.
Above - Fr. David evaluates the progress of the project as the work continues.
Above left - The Golgotha is temporarily situated before the partially completed Iconostasis.
Above and below - some additional views of the work as it progresses.
Please refer to Part II. of this photoreport for continuation of a review of the installation process, but more importantly, for an icon-by-icon tour of the new Iconostasis.
Confession schedule can be found in the bulletin OR by clicking here: Monthly Calendar. For those who are hesitant to worship in person, Fr. John is available to meet with you, either at home or in church, to participate in the Sacraments ofHoly Confession and Communion. Please email or call Fr. John to set up an appointment.
Coffee Hour Request: There is a need of volunteers for this service ministry. Please see Deborah Silowka to find out how you can help.
Join us for Prosphora (Holy Bread) Baking in the church hall on Saturday, August 8, beginning at 10am. This is a spiritually rewarding undertaking, as you will be preparing the very bread that will become the Body of Lord Jesus Christ. It is a great honor - come!
On Sunday, August 9, there will be a Special Collection during Liturgy to offer support for a new roof and repainting the dome of our sister parish, Annunciaation Church in Brick. This temple, dedicated in 1994, is where the Lord, His Saints and His Mother, the Theotokos, worship with our brothers and sisters at every service. Please be generous and hearty thanks for your consideration of this request.
Looking Ahead....
The Men's Club with host a Parish Picnic at 7 Acres Park on Saturday, September 12th, in honor of their 50th anniversary as a club. All parishioners are welcome to attend; Details to follow.
A Parish Cornhole Tournament, hosted by the Senior R Club, will be held on Sunday, September 27th; details to follow.
We continue to collect food to help keep the South River Food Bank stocked. Please leave your donations of non-perishable items on the table in the hall narthex.
Come outr and support the Annual Parish Fall Festival on Saturday, October 24th. Co-chairpeople Tanya Davis and Deborah Silowka can use your help, as we share our Slavic culture with all our friends and neighbors. If you have a few hours to spare, see Tanya or Deb and lend a hand..no volunteer will be turned away!
FOOD CARD PROGRAM : Food cards are available for various supermarket chains after Divine Liturgy, and do not cost any more than the face value of the card. The church receives a percentage as a free fundraiser! See Judy Znaiden in church or at jznaiden@optonline.net.
MEETING DATES:
Church School: Classes meet Today after Liturgy
Choir Rehearsal: Tuesday, June 16th@7:00PM (Church)
Men's Club: Thurs. June 18th@ 7:00 (Hall)
Senior R Club: Sun. June 21st at Deerson home
Altar Society: Mon. ??? @6:30 (Hall)
Parish Council: Mon. September 21st @7:30PM (Hall)
The sacrament of reconciliation through which the faithful confess their sins to a priest and receive absolution. Also called the sacrament of repentance or penance, confession restores the baptismal purity lost through sin and reconciles the penitent with God and the Church. The penitent stands before an icon of Christ while confessing to the priest, who acts as a witness and minister of God's forgiveness. The priest then covers the penitent's head with his epitrachelion (stole) and pronounces the prayer of absolution.
Vespers
The evening prayer service of the Orthodox Church, traditionally celebrated at sunset. Vespers includes psalms, hymns, scripture readings, and incense. On Saturday evenings, Great Vespers is often combined with the Sunday Divine Liturgy. The service marks the end of the liturgical day and prepares the faithful for rest and reflection.
St. Herman of Alaska
The Russian monk who brought Orthodoxy to Alaska and was the first Orthodox saint canonized in America. Celebrated on December 13th, Herman arrived in Alaska in 1794 and spent over 40 years ministering to native Alaskans. He defended them against exploitation and established schools and orphanages on Spruce Island.
Divine Liturgy
The central worship service of the Orthodox Church, celebrating the Eucharist (Holy Communion). Usually celebrated on Sundays and feast days, the Divine Liturgy consists of the Liturgy of the Word (scripture readings) and Liturgy of the Faithful (Eucharistic prayer and communion). The most common forms are the Liturgies of St. John Chrysostom and St. Basil the Great.
St. Tikhon of Zadonsk
The 18th-century bishop known for his spiritual writings and pastoral care. Celebrated on August 13th, Tikhon retired early from episcopal duties to focus on prayer and writing. His works on Christian living influenced many, including St. Theophan the Recluse. He represents the combination of episcopal responsibility with monastic spirituality and theological reflection.
Dormition of the Theotokos
The "falling asleep" and assumption of the Virgin Mary into heaven. Preceded by a two-week fast, this feast on August 15th celebrates Mary's death and her bodily assumption. Orthodox theology teaches that Mary experienced death but was immediately raised and taken to heaven, where she intercedes for all Christians.
Icon Not-Made-By-Hands
The miraculous image of Christ that appeared on cloth, also called the Mandylion. Celebrated on August 16th, this icon was sent by Christ himself to King Abgar of Edessa. According to tradition, Christ pressed a cloth to his face, leaving his image imprinted. This acheiropoietos (not-made-by-hands) icon represents Christ's divine nature and the power of his image.
