May 11, 2007
His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos (center) is greeted by children of the parish upon his arrival at Great Vespers. Also present was His Grace Bishop Anthimos of Olympos (back row, left).
LONG BEACH, CA - The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church consecrated their sanctuary on Sunday, April 29, 2007. Leading this holy and sacred service, which occurs only once in the lifetime of a parish, was the spiritual leader of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco, His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos. He was assisted by His Grace Bishop Anthimos of Olympos and His Grace Bishop Ilia of Philomelion.
The weekend celebration, themed "A
Time for Renewal...A Time for Rededication...A Time for Rejoicing", began on
Saturday, April 28 with Great Vespers, an evening prayer service at which the
relics of St. Kyrikos, St. Panteleimon the Great Martyr, and the Holy Fathers
Martyred in Sinai at Raitho were brought to the church and placed on the altar
table. There were three components to the service on Sunday, April 29 -
Matins, the Consecration service, and the first Divine Liturgy in the
Consecrated Church. During the Consecration service, the relics of the
saints were sealed into the holy altar table as a permanent example of the
commitment of self-denial which is at the core of the Orthodox faith.
Over 500 Greek Orthodox faithful from the local parish as well as many from
surrounding area prayerfully participated in these services.
Orthodox clergy from the Los Angeles area who participated in this historic service included: Very Rev. John Constantine - St. George Church in Downey, CA; Father James Adams (retired); Father Michael Kouremetis - St. Prophet Elias, Salt Lake City, UT; Father John Alexandres - Sts. Constantine and Helen, Lancaster, CA; Father John Bakas - St. Sophia Cathedral in Los Angeles, CA; Father Michael Courey - St. Katherine Church, Redondo Beach, CA; Father Anthony Savas - St. Nicholas Church, Northridge, CA; and Father Gary Kyriacou - St. Demetrios Church, Camarillo, CA. Also assisting in this blessed sacrament was Deacon John Alevizos of St. George Church in Downey.
The Assumption parish was founded in 1949 with the arrival of their first priest, Fr. Nicholas Billiris, of blessed memory, who served the Long Beach Faithful for over 35 years before retiring. Other priests who have served the Assumption parish include: Fathers Michael Kouremetis, Nikolas Milatos, John Konugres and James Adams.
The Greek Orthodox Church of the Assumption is now being served by Father John Roll, who arrived in October 2006. A young and dynamic priest, Fr. Roll immediately instilled a sense of assurance and sparked a renewed spiritual movement in this well-established community. Fr. Roll's continuing efforts to lead the faithful in Long Beach towards a greater life in Christ's love is exemplified in the theme chosen for the Consecration celebration. "We are not merely consecrating our Church, we are renewing our lives and our souls, rededicating ourselves to Christ," said Fr. Roll with enthusiasm at the Grand Banquet that followed Great Vespers on Saturday, April 28 at which over 400 people gathered. Fr. Michael Kouremetis shared some memories from his years of service at the parish, and Fr. James Adams extended his gratitude to many people whose unselfish generosity brought the dream of this Consecration to a reality.
Following the Sunday services, the faithful in attendance gathered at the Betty Reckas Cultural Hall on the campus of the Assumption Parish and enjoyed a Champagne Brunch.
The Greek Orthodox Church of the Assumption is part of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco which is led by His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos. The Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco encompasses the western region of the United States and serves over 150,000 Greek Orthodox faithful in Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, Oregon and Washington.
His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos carries the relics of the saints during the procession outside the church, followed by Gerontissa Markella, Abbess of the Monastery of the Theotokos the Life Giving Spring in Dunlap, CA.
(L – R) His Grace Bishop Ilia of Philomelion, Fr. James Adams, Fr. John Roll.
A member of the choir places oil in the vigil light at the Consecration service.
4th Thursday after Pascha
