Consecration
of Holy Resurrection Church - May 20/21, 2005
After nearly two
years of construction, Holy Resurrection Orthodox Church members and
friends attended liturgy in their new church on Saturday, May 21st. The
service was celebrated by Archbishop JOB of the Diocese of the Midwest,
Very Rev. Alexander Kuchta, pastor, and attending clergy.
Saturday morning began with the Consecration
Ceremony at 9:30 a.m. As Holy Resurrection already has an altar
which was consecrated in 1982, this service focused on the consecration
of a new antimension for the parish and the blessing of the temple's
exterior and interior. Relics in the new Antimension include those of
Sts. Tarachus, Probus, Andronicus, and the New Martyr, the Grand
Duchess Elizabeth. Hierarchal Divine
Liturgy followed.
After the service a banquet was served on the church
grounds.
As is traditional before important celebrations, a
Vesper Service was held Friday evening, May 20, at 7 p.m. with a
reception immediately following in the church social area.
Construction on the church began in July 2003 when
ground was broken adjacent to the existing worship center. The
new church follows traditional Byzantine style, built in the shape of a
cross with a large dome over the center of the worship area. The
dome is topped with a three-barred cross.
The iconostasis, was carved in Canada from natural cherry wood, the
richness of which is further reflected in the cherry flooring in the
church proper.
A stained glass window depicting the “Harrowing of
Hades by Christ” by Mellini Art Glass of Florence, Italy is set above
the entrance doors.
The church concept was designed by architect George
Mangan of Sister Bay, WI, a member of St. Matthew Church in Green Bay,
WI. Construction drawings were executed by Jeffrey Heaney of
Glenview, IL and the general contractor was Chris Schopoff of Arlington
Heights, IL
Exterior
of new church.
Olga
Vivian Langdon, our oldest continuing founding parishioner.
Hariklia
Demakis, mother of John Demakis and Helen O'Sullivan, parishioners of
Holy Resurrection.
Clergy
process from the former church building to the new...
Bishop
and clergy offering entrance prayers.
Archbishop
JOB explained each element of the consecration service to those in
attendance.
View
of congregation from the mezzanine.
Members
of the choir, under the direction of Mike Strelka.
Preparing
for procession around the church with relics.
Litany
offered by one of the deacons.
Archbishop
JOB prays before the Royal Doors.
Relics
are lifted up for the procession around the church exterior.
Members
of the choir exit the church.
Deacons
cense the way before the relics. (Fr. Milan Savich is at the right in
the foreground.)
The
Archbishop carries the relics while escorted by subdeacons.
Clergy
in procession.
Walls
of the church are blessed with Holy Water.
Many
priests of the Chicago Deanery and from the greater Chicago area were
in attendance.
The
laity make their circuit around the church.
Matushka
Cynthia Bodnar and Matushka Miriam Nelson (center).
The
Archbishop and clergy re-enter the church following the procession.
Fr.
John Kuchta and Fr. Alexander process into the church.
The
Archbishop enters the Altar with the Holy Relics.
Everyone
returned to the church following the procession.
Fr.
Oleg Mironowicz blesses the church interior with Holy Water as Fr.
Alexander Kuchta, assisted by Daniel Manzuk anoints the
walls with Chrism.
The
walls are anointed above the windows.
Censing
during the "Eis Polla" trio...
Archbishop
JOB blesses the clergy before moving to the High Place.
The
Holy Gifts are brought for the Great Entrance.
"May
the Lord God remember your Archepiscopate in His Heavenly Kingdom..."
Archbishop
JOB prays during the Great Entrance.
The
Priests approach the Chalice to receive the Precious Blood of the Lord.
Following
the Consecration and Divine Liturgy, a Banquet was held on the church
grounds under a large tent!
A
buffet luncheon was enjoyed by everyone.
Greg
Malovance was the Master of Ceremonies.
Jason
Wegh, Council President and Building Committee chairman, offered moving
comments.
Susan
Smoley spoke on behalf of Holy Resurrection's active Women's Ministry.
Fr.
Alexander Kuchta reflects on the miracles of parish life.
Archbishop
JOB offers congratulations and words of encouragement.