Sts Cyril and Methodius Orthodox Institute
11 Aug 09: Saint Panteleimon Church Feast Day, Gosford
This year, the parish of Saint Panteleimon in West Gosford, on the NSW Central Coast, celebrated its patronal feast over the weekend of Saturday August 8 and Sunday August 9.
The major services were on Saturday August 8, allowing many of the clergy of the Sydney Deanery of the Australian and New Zealand Diocese to be present. On this day, the Orthodox Church keeps the memory of the holy Hieromartyr Hermolaus, the priest who baptised the Great-Martyr Panteleimon.
All-night vigil was served on the evening of Friday August 7 by the parish rector, Priest James Carles. Concelebrating were Archpriest George Lapardin, the senior clergyman of the Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral in Strathfield, Sydney; Priest Quentin de Castelbajac, Rector of the church of Saint Jean le Russe in Lyon, France (visiting Australia with his Australian-born Matushka, Marina); and Hieromonk John (MacPherson) of the Holy Trinity Monastery in Monkerai, NSW; together with Protodeacon German Polorotov of the parish of Saint Nicholas in Fairfield, Sydney, and the parish deacon, Father Martin Naef.
These fathers were joined on Saturday morning by Archpriest Michael Boikov, the Diocesan Secretary and senior clergyman of the All Saints of Russia Church in Croydon, Sydney; Priest Alexander Korjenevski, Rector of the church of Saint George in Carlton, Sydney; Priest Seraphim Slade, of the Australian Orthodox Indigenous Mission; Protodeacon Basil Hadarin of the church of the Holy Archangel Michael in Blacktown, Sydney; Protodeacon Christopher Henderson of the church of Saint Vladimir in Centennial Park, Sydney; and Deacon Constantine Moshegov of the All Saints of Russia Church in Croydon, Sydney. This was the first time that such a large number of clergymen – seven priests and five deacons – had gathered in the Gosford parish.
Archpriest Michael Boikov presided during Divine Liturgy. More than 200 people were present, among who were the faithful of the Gosford parish and many visitors from Sydney and Newcastle. A great number of people received Holy Communion. Before the Dismissal, Father Michael gave a sermon on the life of Saint Panteleimon.
Divine Liturgy was followed by a moleben to Saint Panteleimon before the church doors. Afterwards, as is customary, “Many Years” was intoned, and “Eternal Memory” was sung for the departed hierarchs of the Australian and New Zealand Diocese, together with the newly-reposed Bishop Ambrose (Cantacuzene). Father Michael congratulated Father James, Father Martin, and all present on the occasion of the feast.
Approximately 180 people then gathered in the Narara Community Centre for a festive banquet, prepared under the able direction of Olga Petroff, the head of the parish sisterhood of Blessed Xenia of Saint Petersburg. Father James spoke during lunch, welcoming the visiting clergy and all the faithful. He spoke of the achievements of the Gosford parish, particularly in making its final mortgage payment in late 2008, and thanked the many friends of the parish for their generous spiritual and material support. The other priests spoke in turn, congratulating the Gosford faithful on their success in establishing parish life on the Central Coast.
A small number of people gathered in church again that evening for Great Vespers. On Sunday August 9, the day of commemoration of Saint Panteleimon, the church was again full, with many present who had been unable to attend on the previous day. Again, a great many received Holy Communion, and almost all present gathered in the church hall afterwards for a festive meal.
These two days were indeed an occasion of great joy in the life of our parish. Through the prayers of the Holy Great-Martyr and Healer Panteleimon, may the Lord continue to watch over us and bless us!
