By: Jerry Stone
All over the US, Orthodox churches celebrated the ‘Sunday of Orthodoxy’ this past Sunday (the first Sunday of Lent). It is the celebration of the victory of the Iconodules (those who support or are in favor of using religious images, specifically icons) over the Iconoclasts(those who oppose the use of icons) by the decision of the Seventh Ecumenical Council in 787. The religious service is to commemorate the restoration of icons for use in services and private devotional life of Christians. Services often include the clergy or the faithful triumphantly processing around the church, holding icons of their patron or parish saints. In areas where several churches exist in close proximity, the churches will come together and serve Vespers.
On Sunday, March 9th, the Parishes of SS Peter and Paul, Holy Ghost and the Georgian Orthodox Church all gathered together in Manville to celebrate the Sunday of Orthodoxy. The faithful of the three Parishes marched through the streets of Manville and celebrated a service at each church. Holy Ghost Church then hosted a coffee hour. Although the outside temperature was cold, the faithful were warmed to march in such a joyous celebration. See attached link for pictures (www.ssppoc.org)
