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PHOTO GALLERY

THE  CONSECRATION OF
THE NEWLY EXPANDED  ST GREGORY OF NYSSA  ORTHODOX  CHURCH 
SEAFORD, NY

Saturday, October 1, 2003


Since 1995, the parish has realized that they were rapidly running out of space for their growing congregation. After extensive study and planning, it was decided to enlarge the historic church, while at the same time restoring the building as much as possible to resemble the way it looked at the time of its construction in 1895. The architectural and engineering firm of Sear-Brown of Melville was chosen to design the project.

In the summer of 2000, lengthy meetings were held with the Town of Oyster Bay Historical Landmarks Commission to study and plan the project. After several hearings and visits to the site, the members of the Commission unanimously gave their approval and support to the proposed design.

The renovation included the addition of two 13 foot wings to the north and south sides of the church. The entire building, both interior and exterior, was gutted and rebuilt to resemble as closely as possible the church's appearance at the time of its construction. New pews, restored antique windows, and period lighting will complete the project.  A future phase will add a new icon screen, altars, and a free standing bell tower to house the parish's two bells which were imported from Greece.

Today's photos highlight the re-consecration of St. Gregory of Nyssa Church, and the Consecration of a New Altar By His Eminence, Metropolitan Nicholas.

(Click on Thumbnail Photos For Larger Version)






Front View of St. Gregory of Nyssa Orthodox Church

The Interior of the Newly Expanded Church Nave.
His Eminence, Metropolitan Nicholas is Greeted in the Church Narthex By the Rev. Dr. Edward Pehanich, Pastor of St. Gregory of Nyssa Parish Prior to the Start of the Consecration Service.

His Eminence Metropolitan Nicholas, Surrounded by the Priests of the New York Deanery, Begins the Service of Blessing of the Newly Refurbished Church Interior and the Consecration of the Newly Constructed Altar Table.

Metropolitan Nicholas Prays Before the Relics of St. Theophylactus, Bishop of Nicomedia, Prior to Their Enshrinement in the Altar Table.

Metropolitan Nicholas Seals the Relics of The Holy Martyr Theophylactus Into a Cavity in the Top of the Altar Table Where They Will Remain Forever With Wax Mastic. The Ingredients Are Beeswax, Mastic, Myrrh, Aloe, Incense, Resin and Labdanum. The Altar Table Represents the Sepulchre of our Savior. This Act Commemorates the Fragrant Spices Used by Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus to Anoint the Body of Jesus As a Burial Preparation. Wax, as a Binding and Unifying Agent, Represent the Eternal Bond Between Christ and His Martyrs, Christ and All Those Who Take Up Their Cross and Follow Him, For Thus, They Die to Sin and Resurrect to a New Life.
Metropolitan Nicholas Drives in the Four Corner Pegs Which Hold the Top of the Altar Table in Place. No Metal Nails or Screws of Any Type Are Used in the Construction of An Orthodox Altar. Note That the Altar Table Is In The Shape of A Cube.
Metropolitan Nicholas Washes The Altar Table With Warm Water.
His Eminence, Metropolitan Nicholas Washes the Altar Table With a New Sponge. St. Symeon of Thessalonica Explains this Action in Writing the Following:
Since the Altar Symbolizes Jesus it Also Receives the Marks of His Baptism, and This in Two Ways. It Becomes Clean by Washing and is Sanctified With the Holy Spirit Since It Is to Become The Vessel of the Holy Spirit.

Metropolitan Nicholas Annoints The Altar Table Three Times With WIne and Rose Water. The Blend of Rose Water and Wine Symbolizes the Anointing of Christ's Body With Sweet-Smelling Fragrances.

Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia! Metropolitan Nicholas Makes the Sign of the Cross On The Altar With Holy Chrism. According to St. Symeon of Thessalonica, Since the Oil of Holy Chrism is Poured Out in the Name of Christ Our God, and the Table Represents Him Who Was Buried Therein, It Is Anointed With Chrism and Becomes The Workshop of the Gifts of the Holy Spirit. For on the Altar, The Awesome and Mystical Sacraments are Celebrated The Gospel is Placed There and Beneath it the Holy Relics of the Martyrs are Deposited. Thus, the Table Becomes the Altar of Christ, and a Throne of Glory and the Dwelling Place of God and the Tomb and Grave of Christ.

After Covering the Altar Table With a White Linen Shroud Called the Katasarkion Metropolitan Nicholas Signs His Name to It and the Date Upon Which the Altar Was Consecrated. The Katasarkion is Secured on The Altar With A Cord Which Typifies The Cords Tied Around Our Lord's Hands When He was Led Before the High Priest. This Shroud Will Never Be Removed Again and Will Remain on the Altar For As Long As the Church Will Remain Standing, For Our Lord Died and Was Buried Once and For All Time.

The Consecration Service Concluded With the Vesting of The Altar Table With Resplendant Brocaded Covers and The Placement of the Antemensia, Gospel Book, Hand Cross, Tabernacle and Candlesticks.