On the first Sunday of Great Lent, St. Basil's Orthodox Church in Watervliet, NY celebrated a pan‑Orthodox vespers service with a procession and the rite of Orthodoxy. Serving were Archpriest Peter Olsen, the rector of St. Basil's Church; Protopresbyter Emmanuel Mantzouris (Greek Archdiocese); Priestmonk Christopher Savage, Prior (New Skete Monastery, OCA); Presbyter Gregory Potter (Antiochian Archdiocese); Presbyter Neofitos Sargiannis (Greek Archdiocese); Presbyter John Vazquez (Antiochian Archdiocese); and Deacon Jason Gagnon of St. Basil's Church in Watervliet. Assisting in the choir was Presbyter Matthew Markewich (OCA), and the choir was conducted by Marie Giokas of St. Basil's Church. Many parishioners from various Orthodox churches in the Capital District of upstate New York were in attendance. The homily, delivered by Fr. Emmanuel, explained the history and theology of the dogma concerning the Orthodox veneration of holy icons. A Lenten meal and fellowship in the church hall followed the service, and a special collection was made to support the work of IOCC.