Source: Romanian Orthodox Archdiocese in the Americas (OCA)
Middletown, NY, October 25, 2016
On October, 23rd, 2016, the church of St. Demetrios the New Monastery in Middletown, New York celebrated its patron saint. On this occasion His Eminence Nicolae, Archbishop of the Romanian Orthodox Archdiocese in the Americas, blessed the inside iconography of the church, painted by Fr. Andrei Chiriac and preoteasa Elisa Ștefana, iconographers from Vladiceni monastery, Iasi, Romania.
After the blessing service, His Eminence celebrated the Divine Liturgy together with other priests from the archdiocese and also officiated a memorial service for the donors and benefactors of the monastery that have fallen asleep in the Lord.
In the sermon, His Eminence Nicolae said that the blessing of the iconography marks the end of 15 years of efforts of the faithful, during which the church was built, a house for monks was bought and a guest house for pilgrims was set up. His Eminence also talked about the significance of iconography in the liturgical life of the church.
Many people gathered at this event and at the Divine Liturgy. The choir of “St. Nicholas” Parish from Woodside, New York was present and participated at the Liturgy. At the end all the pilgrims had the joy of a brotherly lunch. His Eminence thanked all the faithful that worked all along to build the church and to finish the iconography.
