October 23-27, 2006 - A new Iconotstasis was installed in SS. Peter and Paul Orthodox Church in South River, New Jersey, during the week of October 23, 2006. The photoreport covering the installation from start to finish is in two parts. This page is Part II. of the photoreport and it deals primarily with the indivual icons which comprise the new Iconostasis. Part I. of the photoreport describes the icon installation process and gives a little bit of information about the iconographer - Mr. Dmitry Shkolnik - who wrote all of the icons for our new Iconostasis.
For the sake of logistics, we will define our parish's Iconostasis to consist of three tiers. The top tier has space for five icons. The second tier has space for nine icons. The third, or lowest tier, in the Iconostasis has space also for nine icons. In the top tier at the very center is the Deisis icon (above) which depicts Jesus Christ, His Mother the Most-Holy Theotokos, and Saint John the Baptist. The Deisis icon now occupies the position in the icon screen formerly occupied by the icon of the Resurrection. On either side of the Deisis icon in the same tier are the two icons shown below. On the left of the Deisis icon is the icon of St. Sergius of Radonezh (the patron saint of our Pastor Emeritus, the V. Rev. Sergius Kuharsky) and St. Alexander Nevsky (below left) while on the right of the Deisis icon is the icon of Saints Vladimir and Olga (below right).
Two icons complete the first tier and each of them is situated at the extreme outer limits of the Iconostasis. Each of them (above) is semicircular in shape and each of them is devoted to events of the Most-Holy Theotokos - Her Nativity and Her Dormition. As regards the second tier in the Iconostasis, there are nine icons which, when viewed from left to right, represent nine events in the life of Jesus Christ. Left to right they are as follows: Nativity, Presentation, Baptism (Theophany), Transfiguration, the institution of the Sacrament of Holy Communion at the Last Supper; Crucifixion (Good Friday), Resurrection (PASCHA), Ascension, and Pentecost. The description below discusses these icons (not in the left to right order in which they appear in the Iconostasis). We will first consider the icon of The Last Supper. It is centrally located in the second tier of icons, being found above the Royal Doors.
The two icons immediately above and the four icons immediately below round out the icons comprising the second tier in the Iconostasis. Their presentation here is not necessarily in concordance with their appearance in the icon screen. Above left is the icon representing the Feast Day of the Theophany (observed on January 6 each year) - the Baptism by St. John of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Above right is the icon devoted to the Feast Day of the Presentation of Jesus Christ in the Temple. This Feast is observed every year on February 2.
The icon above left is dedicated to the Feast Day of Holy Pentecost - a variable Feast occurring fifty days after PASCHA. Above right is the representation of the Feast Day of the Ascension, also a variable Feast Day. The Feast Day of the Ascension occurs invariably each year forty days after PASCHA.
Above left is the icon "The Harrowing of Hades". It is the representation icon for the Feast Day of the Resurrection of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ - the most holy day on the Orthodox Christian calendar. Above right is the icon depicting the most solemn day on the Orthodox Christian calendar - Good Friday, which is the day on which Our Lord was crucified.
Above left is the icon depicting the Feast Day of the Transfiguration which is observed each August 6. Above right is the Nativity icon which depicts the birth of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
The two icons immediately above and the seven icons immediately below show enlarged views of specific areas of the icons already presented. Note the vivid coloration, the intricate detail, and the facial expressiveness evoked - all as intended by Mr. Shkolnik.
Above - the icons comprising the third or lowest tier of the Iconostasis were lined up in the Church Hall in the order in which they would be placed within the framework of the Iconostasis. Left to right they are: the smaller Royal Doors (not shown here); St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, St. Michael the Archangel (deacon's door), the Most-Holy Theotokos, the middle Royal Doors (not shown here); Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, Protomartyr and First Deacon St. Stephen (deacon's door), Saints Peter and Paul - our Patrons - and Saint Innocent of Alaska. The seven icons below (excluding the two sets of Royal Doors) are those just described but in larger view.
Above is a greatly enlarged view of a section of the Deisis icon.
Above left is an enlarged view of the icon of St. Innocent of Alaska, while above right is an enlarged view of the icon of the Theotokos and Her Son Jesus Christ This icon is immediately to the left of the Royal Doors. Below is an enlargement of a portion of the icon of our Patrons - Saints Peter and Paul.
All that remains to be discussed is the iconography of the Royal Doors. In our parish we have two sets of Royal Doors to discuss - the larger or central Royal Doors in use today and the smaller Royal Doors at the extreme left of the Iconostasis. The smaller Royal Doors at the extreme left of the Iconostasis were once the entrance to the original, much smaller Sanctuary that our early Church had. On the main Royal Doors are depicted the Feast Day of the Annunciation (above) and the four Evangelists - Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John (circular icons below).
Above left is the iconography of the main Royal Doors and above right is the similar iconography of the smaller Royal Doors at the extreme left of the Iconostasis.
As we close the discussion of the new Iconostasis, presented above and below are some random photos that hopefully you, the viewer, will enjoy. Above left, Fr. David does a little housecleaning fifteen feet above the Ambo. Above right, he helps Mr. Shkolnik remove a plank from the scaffolding.
Above left - Mr. Ken Harris is at work securing the icons to the framework of the Iconostasis. Above right, Mr. Harris's image is temporarily framed by the ornate borders of our Iconostasis.
Above left - moments before lunch on Friday afternoon, October 27, Rev. Garretson brings a sample of his model railroading skills to show Mr. Harris who is also a fan of model railroads. Above right - Fr. David prays before lunch in the Church Hall on Friday afternoon. For the record, all of us had fish. Most of us had fried flounder fillet of fish sandwich on a hard roll from Jensen's Fish Market and it was delicious!
Mr. Shkolnik (above left) and Fr. David (above right) look on as the work on the Iconostasis progresses.
Above - Fr. David and Dmitry pose before the Iconostasis on Friday evening, October 27, as it had been nearly ninety percent completed at that point. Many Years! Mnogaya Lyeta! to all - be they artist, carpenter, or financial benefactor - who were associated with the Iconostasis project in our Church from its inception to its completion.
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.
