St. Great Martyr George and St. Dimitrios the New Parish of Las Vegas, Nevada celebrated its Feats Day on the 6th Sunday of Great Lent (Palm Sunday). We have been honored by the presence of our Archbishop and Metropolitan Nicolae who was greeted with the traditional bread and salt by children of our parish on Saturday night, April 20th. Then, HE Nicolae met with members of the Parish Council. The ongoing projects and parish plans, including the 25th anniversary of the foundation of the parish in 2020, were discussed.
Later, the Great Vespers followed by Lytia and the memorial service for the founders of the holy place were served. At the end of the service, the hierarch spoke of the life and mission of St. Irodion of Lainici whose holy relics were brought for veneration to the faithful of Las Vegas. HE Nicolae also recalled the history of the discovery of the holy relics on April 10, 2009, after much prayer and desire to put forth the holiness of St. Irodion of the Lainici by the monastic community. The evening ended with a brotherly agape meal prepared by the parish ladies.
On Sunday, April 21, Matins and the hierarchical Divine Liturgy were celebrated. HE Metropolitan Nicolae urged us to understand the meaning of the Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem Feast: He who enters on the donkey’s colt is the King of peace prophesied by Zechariah and acclaimed as the Messiah by the inhabitants of the city. He knowingly comes to sacrifice for our salvation. And the means of salvation is death on the Cross, a terrible death that the ultimate thieves were receiving. We will be witnesses at these events during the Holy Week, which is why we should spend them in prayer and participation in the Church services. But also, with the hope of proclaiming the Lord's Resurrection on the morning of Holy Pascha. After recalling the confession and martyrdom of St. Great Martyr George, HE Nicolae urged us to take responsibility for conveying the faith to our children. All believers had the opportunity to venerate the relics of St. Irodion and to receive palms.
After the Divine Liturgy the festive meal followed. Our children from ROYA presented us a short program of poetry and songs and a piano interpretation. To the participants in the 2019 Religious Olympics, HE Metropolitan Nicolae handed out their diplomas for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place and also for participation. On the 40th anniversary of living on American soil, Mrs. Lia Roberts was handed an icon of the Mother of God. There were words of gratitude to Mr. Panta and Mrs. Ana Stanciu for their care for the church. Words of appreciation were also extended to Mrs. Flori Constantin, the AROLA President, ROYA members headed by Mrs. Oana Butunoi, Sunday School ladies, Camelia Bratu, Ala Presneac, Svetlana Chirica and Preoteasa Simona Balan. It was appreciated the good organization of the feast and thanks were offered to the families involved: Constantin Zarzava, Constantina Rasa Soarece, Silvia Rusescu, Maria Clita, Elena Cocea, Natalia Oprea, Radu Urma and Daniel Popescu. The event ended with prayer of thanksgiving for all the blessings bestowed on the parish.
Parish Priest Mihai Balan
