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Feastday
in Gosford
On Friday,
8 August, and Saturday, 9 August, the young and growing Saint
Panteleimon Community of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside
of Russia in Gosford marked the feast of its heavenly patron
for the third time.
The community is located approximately an hour's drive north
of the city of Sydney. Many of Sydney's Russians have vacation
homes in that area, and several of them have moved there permanently.
Thus, with the blessing of Archbishop Hilarion, a new community
as grown up among the lakes and small inlets of that region.
Although the divine services have been celebrated regularly
in the community over the last three years, it still lacks
a permanent church building. At present, a local social hall
is being rented. For each service, the icons, candlestands,
altar-table and temporary, portable iconostasis have to be
brought into the hall--all of which requires great effort
on the part of the parishioners. In 2001, the priest James
Carles was appointed rector of the community. He travels to
Gosford on the first and third Sunday of every month, and
speaks with and visits parishioners at other times as well.
The community diligently prepared for the patronal feastday
in honor of the holy Great-martyr and Healer Panteleimon.
The vigil was served by Fr. James, assisted by Protodeacon
Basil Yakimov, a clergyman of the neighboring parish of St.
John the Baptist in Canberra, the capital of Australia. Likewise
participating in the vigil were Priest Quentin de Castelbajac,
from Lyon, France, and Hieromonk John, who also serves the
St. Panteleimon Community. Unfortunately, Archbishop Hilarion
was traveling abroad and was unable to head the celebration.
On Saturday, the lesser blessing of water was performed by
Fr. Quentin. Protodeacon Herman and Deacon Vadim Gan arrived
from Sydney for the Liturgy, as did believers from Sydney
and New Castle. Many of the faithful received the holy Mysteries
of Christ. It was a joy to see so many young families with
children.
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The homily for the feast day was delivered by Fr. James. The
service concluded with a procession and service of supplication
to St. Panteleimon. Icons of the saint were distributed to
all who attended as a prayerful memento.
After the divine services, a festal banquet was provided,
after which several were heard to say that the community really
needs its own building, that a church should be erected to
the glory of God.
Glory to God for all things!
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