Last night, October 4, 2024, Archbishop Elpidophoros of America presided over the Great Vespers of Consecration at Dormition of the Theotokos Greek Orthodox Church in Oakmont, Pennsylvania.
The Archbishop led the Holy Rites of Consecration with Metropolitan Savas of Pittsburgh, Bishop Joachim of Amissos, and Dormition parish priest Fr. Michael A. Gavrilos, entombing the Holy Relics of New Martyrs of Samothraki Saints Michael, George, Emmanuel, Theodoros, and George within the church’s holy altar.
Additionally, His Eminence bestowed the Offikion of Economos to Fr. Michael.
In his homily, the Archbishop discussed the significance of the service, referring to the rites as a “profound and indeed, mystical, experience.”
By consecrating the place, “we may consecrate ourselves to God,” establishing “on the bones of Martyrs…the foundations of the Kingdom of God.”
These foundations and our “our Eternal Life in God,” His Eminence continued, are affirmed “Through worship…reverence…piety…receiving grace from every corner of this beautiful church…And most of all, through receiving, within these walls adorned with the images of the Saints, the Holy Eucharist.”
Photos: GOARCH/Dimitrios Panagos
