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REFLECTIONS: A New Beginningby Jacqueline Mullen Niederberger (Spring/Summer, 1999) Just before Pascha, the parish family was told our rented, South Jersey church building was sold and we, once again, would have to pack up and leave, and start somewhere else by the end of April. We would have no priest to celebrate Pascha and so, dispirited nomads, we scattered to various churches. Some of us sped 80 miles to Philadelphia, through a dark, sleeping, spring night, to be part of a church celebrating the Great Feast. We arrived early, we thought. The icon of the Mother of God above the front doors beckoned, bidding us hurry into the place of worship. The chill of the evening ushered us into the narthex where we sought physical and spiritual warmth. Crowds pressed us against the back wall of the church where we stood in silence, holding our candles. The Royal Doors opened at midnight. Light flooded the scene. The voice of the priest could be heard. Candles were lit, and the people processed outside around the church. Back inside, straining for the familiar English words of the ancient Liturgy, it became difficult to hear because of the man whispered, excited, foreign languges swirling through the air. Was I somehow transported back to 1900 Europe, instead of awaiting the 21st century in America? If one was used to the reverent holiness of the service, concentration was broken by the colorful congregants all around. Eyes and ears could not help but seek them out. At the intoning of the words, "In the fear of God and with faith, draw near," the melange surged forward, one, two, young, old, men, women, children, moving ahead of one another in a ragged line, gesturing, whispering, pushing toward "something mysterious" at the front of the church. It was impossible not to be moved by this colorful march of humanity toward the chalice, seeing the need that was so evident. These masses have come from foreign shores as our parents and grandparents before them had come. At the end of the life they had known, a new one was beginning. The only way for them to go home again was to leave. They came for the same reasons others before had come: freedom, financial, physical, spiritual, relief from oppression and condemnation of their ethnic backgrounds, escape from the law, hundreds of other reasons, but above all - "freedom." How difficult is assimilation into a foreign culture. Just as the great exodus at the turn of this century left all behind and started anew, so these now who come will struggle to learn English, struggle for employment, and struggle with American customs and behaviors. The brotherhood of family, friends, and Orthodoxy is a bond, the glue that will bind them together, as they reach for the year 2000. What a tremendous challenge and opportunity the parish priest and his parishioners have in the coming years to teach, exhort, instruct, nurture and love, with patience, the many immigrants whom God has placed in churches across America, especially as more come in the light of the present world situation. Will we embrace them, fed, cloth and stand with them? Will they, in turn, enhance the fabric of American life, add to her work ethic, strengthen cultures, live and grow in peace and harmony? We don't know all the answers, but one thing we do know. "There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. That was the true lLight, which gives Light to every man, coming into the world He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name" (John 1:6-12). The Light has been given to us to pass on. Are you ready to take up the challenge in the new millennium or shall we look the other way? The decision is ours. + (UPDATE: Until the time this article was written the Mission of St. John Chrysostom, Clermont, NJ was being served on a part time basis by Fr. Sergius Kuharsky. The sale of the church building described above has since, for the time being, again fallen through and so the community continues to meet at its former location. Fr. Andrew Missiras is now regularly serving the Divine Liturgy on Sunday mornings at 10:00; Lay Vespers are served on Saturday evenings at 7:00. For more information, call Bill Dingman at 609-398-5020.) |
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