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Ordination to The Holy Priesthood of Deacon Andrew Wythe (6/27/21)
On Sunday June 27, 2021, Deacon Andrew Wythe was ordained to the Holy Priesthood through the laying on of hands by His Eminence, Metropolitan Gregory of Nyssa at St. John The Baptist Orthodox Church in Perth Amboy, NJ.
Posted photos show scenes from the ordination and celebratory lunch
View Video of ordination here:
youtu.be/XLw9Ix4uqtI
Posted photos show scenes from the ordination and celebratory lunch
View Video of ordination here:
youtu.be/XLw9Ix4uqtI
Parish altar boys and deacons lead His Eminence Metropolitan Gregory from the parish rectory to St. John’s Church for the presentation of bread/salt and the hand cross.
“You have entered, O, Archpriest…” His Eminence blesses the faithful gathered as he proceeds to the episcopal throne.
“So every one who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven; but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 10:32-33) Fr. Deacon Andrew reads the Gospel for the Sunday of All Saints for the last time as a deacon.
“Have mercy on me, O God…” Deacon Andrew performs the great censing for the last time as a deacon
“May the Lord, God, remember all of you Orthodox Christians in His Kingdom…”. Deacon Andrew presents the bread for the Eucharist to His Eminence during the Great Entrance.
“Command him Holy Master!” Fr. Deacon Andrew is presented for ordination to Metropolitan Gregory by the Very Rev. Fr. Michael Chendorain and Protodeacon Gregory Benc of St. John’s Church.
The Priestly Candidate offers some words of thank on this very important moment.
Deacon Andrew is led to reverence the four corners of the altar by the Very Rev. Fr. Michael Chendorain (pastor) and the Very Rev. Fr. Matthew Moriak (OCA).
“Divine grace, which always heals and fills that which is lacking, ordains the God-fearing Deacon Andrew to the priesthood!” His Eminence performs the ancient rite of the laying-on of hands.
“My soul shall rejoice in the Lord…”. Metropolitan Gregory vests the new priest in the priestly sticharion.
“AXIOS!” His Eminence chants the proclamation of “Worthy!” In a melody from his ancestral village.
“Behold, the servant of God, the priest, Andrew, receives the precious Blood of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.”
“The most precious Body and Blood of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ is given to the servant of God, Pani Davina, for the remissions of her sins and life everlasting.” Fr. Andrew distributes the communion to his wife for the first time as a priest.
“For you shall give an account for it at the dread Judgement Seat of Christ.” The newly-ordained Fr. Andrew Wythe receives the Precious Body of Our Lord Jesus Christ.
The newly-ordained priest joins Metropolitan Gregory in the celebration the Divine Liturgy.
“Christ is Amongst us!” The newly-ordained offers the hand cross to the faithful gathered for the celebration.
Metropolitan Gregory addresses the faithful present with his usual flair and humor on the importance of the celebration of All Saints in the majestic interior of St. John’s Church.
His Eminence shares a lighter moment with the faithful at the distribution of antidoron at the end of Liturgy.
Metropolitan Gregory is shown with the newly-ordained Fr. Andrew Wythe and Pani Davina after the Liturgy.
Fr. Andrew and Pani Davina are shown with their parents following the Divine Liturgy and Ordination in St. John’s Church in Perth Amboy.
The Very Rev. Fr. Matthew Moriak (Fr. Andrew’s former pastor in Manville, NJ) served as the Toastmaster and Master of Ceremonies at the Celebratory Banquet following the Divine Liturgy.
Metropolitan Gregory teaches the newly-ordained how to properly cut a cake for the celebration!