Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Metropolitan Dimitri of Batumi and the Diocese of Lazeti (Church of Georgia) visited the Georgian faithful at Saints Peter & Paul Church, Manville NJ, on October 26th. The Metropolitan oversees the Georgian missions in the USA.
A Molieben to the Iveron Icon of the Mother of God was served by Metropolitan Dimitri together with five visiting Georgian priests. The faithful were anointed with oil from the Monastery of the Holy Cross in Jerusalem, established centuries ago by Georgian monastics. Following words of instruction and encouragement by the hierarch, all the faithful partook of a festal trapeza in the parish hall.
With the blessing of Bishop Michael of our Diocese, Saints Peter & Paul Church has sought to incorporate and minister to the large number of Georgian Orthodox in Central New Jersey. On Thursday evenings of each week, Father Peter of Saint Tamar Church (Washington DC) comes to Manville and holds a Georgian language service with instruction. On Saturday mornings, a Georgian language class for children is held, together with religious instruction and a Georgian dance class. The parish has been blessed to have the presence of many Georgians and they are very much part of the parish community. Parishioners learn the rich traditions, hospitality, and experience the wonderful foods of Georgia while working to make their Georgian brethren feel part of the Church here in America, and offering assistance in navigating through the American cultural scene. The difference of language, custom, and even liturgical calendar are all overcome when we are united in our Lord Jesus Christ!