Religion
- Last Updated on Thursday, 26 February 2015 21:07
In the Eastern Orthodox churches, the first Sunday of the great Lenten fast is called "Orthodoxy Sunday" and this year it will be observed on March 1.
In the United States, especially here in the MonValley, it is traditional for Orthodox Christians of all jurisdictions to come together and witness to and proclaim the unity of the faith of the Apostles, the faith that has been maintained in the Orthodox Church for over 2,000 years. It is becoming a common practice that the procession of the icons (holy pictures) is conducted as part of a Pan-Orthodox Vespers Service that is held on Saturday evening before the Sunday of Orthodoxy.
On Sunday, March 1, each Orthodox church will repeat the procession of the icons in their respective churches. Participating valley Orthodox churches are Holy Resurrection of Belle Vernon, Holy Trinity Russian of Charleroi, Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Monongahela, St. Ellien Antiochian of Brownsville, St.George Serbian of Carmichaels, St. John the Divine of Monessen, St. Michael Antiochian of Monessen, St. Nicholas Russian of Donora, St. Nicholas Ukranian of Monessen, St. Nicholas Carpatho-Russian of Monongahela and Jacobs Creek, and St. Spyridon Greek of Monessen. The combined choirs from the valley churches, under the direction of George Essey, will offer the responses for the service and the valley Orthodox parishioners, along with the general public, are invited to attend this event.
In addition to the Sunday of Orthodoxy service, the joint Lenten Presanctified Liturgy will be conducted on Wednesday evenings at 6 p.m. at the following churches:
March 4 - St. Nicholas of Monongahela
March 11 - St. Nicholas of Monessen
March 18 - Nativity of the BVM of Monongahela
April 1 - Holy Resurrection of Belle Vernon
