Hey all,
so a lot has happened since my last post. This is my first post since my chrismation, and thereby my first post as an Orthodox Christian (ooo fancy) My chrismation on Holy Saturday (April 26th this year) was an absolutely beautiful experience, my cheeks hurt for days from smiling. I've included some pictures under the cut, taken by my friend Angela, to give you all a little visual taste of
St. George's.
Here's me and my sponsor/Godfather Nick before the liturgy, standing in the back, waiting to be led in.
He is a really awesome man, who has been so kind, warm and welcoming. I'm so grateful to him and my godmother, his wife, Doris (who unfortunately I don't have a picture of in this set)
And here's Fr. Kimmett, as we're reciting the creed and I've professed my faith in Orthodoxy, about to lead us into the back of the church by his stole.
Here, he's saying the absolution over me (I'd began the confession about a week prior)
And then I am chrismated (annointed) with an oil blessed for that purpose by the Metropolitan Bishop (representative of the conference of the Holy Spirit).
At which point I'm given a lit candle, and Nick and I process to the front of the church (I'm orthodox now). Here's us (excited & happy and such)
This is Fr. Kimmett standing before the iconostasis, a wall of icons meant in some ways to separate the Holy of Holies from the rest of the church building, and Fr. Purpura (not the typical pastor at St. George's, but a frequent guest) at the altar itself.
And I receive my first communion
Some photos after the liturgy with Fr. Kimmett, Nick, and my parents.
This is me and an Icon of St. Gregory of Nyssa (whose name I took, so now I also answer to Gregory) given to me by the Kimmetts.
Here's me with one of my favorite parishioners, adorable little Romanian girl named Ilinca
Of course this was all a painfully shortened and over-simplified account of one of the greatest moments in my life, but I didn't want to bore folks. Orthodoxy and St. George's are such indescribably great gifts, and I am so awed and grateful.
One of the only hard parts of it was I wanted to make sure that my Episcopal godparents didn't feel snubbed or replaced, because they still very much mean the world to me. But they seemed very happy for me.
Though that does bring to the next piece of news. My Episcopal godfather, Craig, whom I love very dearly, passed away after a long illness a few weeks ago.I will miss him quite a lot, but know God's got things under control.
In significantly less potent news, I now work at Starbucks, paying bills and making coffee. Enjoyable for the time being for what it is. (and today I've fallen in love with Arabian Mocha Sanani coffee, it's dreamy.)
Oh, also, I'm considering shifting over to a new LJ with a new user name, The part of me that thinks flyingstalins is really not appropriate humor seems to be winning out, though I'm not ultimately settled on what name I'll switch to. I'll keep you posted.
St. George's.
Here's me and my sponsor/Godfather Nick before the liturgy, standing in the back, waiting to be led in.
He is a really awesome man, who has been so kind, warm and welcoming. I'm so grateful to him and my godmother, his wife, Doris (who unfortunately I don't have a picture of in this set)
And here's Fr. Kimmett, as we're reciting the creed and I've professed my faith in Orthodoxy, about to lead us into the back of the church by his stole.
Here, he's saying the absolution over me (I'd began the confession about a week prior)
And then I am chrismated (annointed) with an oil blessed for that purpose by the Metropolitan Bishop (representative of the conference of the Holy Spirit).
At which point I'm given a lit candle, and Nick and I process to the front of the church (I'm orthodox now). Here's us (excited & happy and such)
This is Fr. Kimmett standing before the iconostasis, a wall of icons meant in some ways to separate the Holy of Holies from the rest of the church building, and Fr. Purpura (not the typical pastor at St. George's, but a frequent guest) at the altar itself.
And I receive my first communion
Some photos after the liturgy with Fr. Kimmett, Nick, and my parents.
This is me and an Icon of St. Gregory of Nyssa (whose name I took, so now I also answer to Gregory) given to me by the Kimmetts.
Here's me with one of my favorite parishioners, adorable little Romanian girl named Ilinca
Of course this was all a painfully shortened and over-simplified account of one of the greatest moments in my life, but I didn't want to bore folks. Orthodoxy and St. George's are such indescribably great gifts, and I am so awed and grateful.
One of the only hard parts of it was I wanted to make sure that my Episcopal godparents didn't feel snubbed or replaced, because they still very much mean the world to me. But they seemed very happy for me.
Though that does bring to the next piece of news. My Episcopal godfather, Craig, whom I love very dearly, passed away after a long illness a few weeks ago.I will miss him quite a lot, but know God's got things under control.
In significantly less potent news, I now work at Starbucks, paying bills and making coffee. Enjoyable for the time being for what it is. (and today I've fallen in love with Arabian Mocha Sanani coffee, it's dreamy.)
Oh, also, I'm considering shifting over to a new LJ with a new user name, The part of me that thinks flyingstalins is really not appropriate humor seems to be winning out, though I'm not ultimately settled on what name I'll switch to. I'll keep you posted.