Holy Friday - Epitaphios Procession
Περιφορά Επιταφίου Μ. Παρασκευής
By Catherine Tsounis
Unique Byzantine chanting, youth carrying six foot lanterns (fanaria) with flowing white ribbons and hundreds of New Yorkers following the Epitaphios with lit candles illuminated the evenings streets of Astoria on Good Friday, April 13th. The Sacred Patriarchal and Stavropegial Orthodox Monastery of St. Irene Chrysovalantou attracted a growing Greek community in Upper Ditmars, Astoria. Some of the finest Greek-American scholars have graduated from their Modern Greek language school. One person told me “St. Irene cares. They help all in need. They go out of their way to assist the old and lonely.” I have seen firsthand their philanthropic work.
Hundreds of New Yorkers following the Epitaphios with lit candles illuminated the evenings streets of Astoria.
The Good Friday Epitaphios Procession moved peacefully through Astoria, aided by police lines. The police and auxiliary police presence was significant. The procession continued through the urban streets with the protection of the NYPD. One auxiliary officer entered St. Irene’s sanctuary to see if parishioners were worshipping without problems.
Jasmine, a ten year old girl of Moroccan and Egyptian parents, from the neighborhood, said “I have never seen tall poles (lanterns) with flowing white ribbons.” She was referring to the Epitaphios procession. Her mother explained “we are all neighbors and watch out for each other. We are all people living peacefully with each other.”
The interior of St. Irene’s church has every inch of wall covered with extraordinary Byzantine iconography. The altar has intricate wood carvings that I have never seen before in local New York churches. Two rows of Greek columns, on the left and right side of the interior, support half domes. The voices of infants and the running footsteps of toddlers filled the church. This is a growing community. Traditional Greek-American families worship together, giving one hope for the future of middle class America.
On previous good Fridays, I venerated the Epitaphios, adorned with flowers, after the procession concluded in front of the altar. This is the first time I saw parishioners worship instead an eight foot (approximate) cross with white carnations and proceed directly to the c’s for the final worship. The expression of intense piety of parishioners, old, young and handicapped, made an incredible impression on this writer.
“I look in everyone’s eye and see respect and faith in Christ’s resurrection,” said His Grace, Bishop Ilia of Philomelion, Acting Abbot. “In the darkness of society, the light of the Orthodox church shines. We are a family with Papou and Yiayia worshiping with their children and grandchildren. You are all to be commended. Children learn from young to worship, passing on our traditions to the next generation.” For more information, contact His Grace Bishop Ilia of Philomelion, Acting Abbot, 36-07 23rd Avenue, Astoria, NY 11105-1916, The Sacred Patriarchal and Stavropegial Orthodox Monastery of St. Irene Chrysovalantou, Telephone: (718) 626-6225, Facsimile: (718) 626-7669 and E-mail: Sacred Patriarchal Monastery of St. Irene Chrysovalantou.
Unique Byzantine chanting, youth carrying six foot lanterns (fanaria) with flowing white ribbons and hundreds of New Yorkers following the Epitaphios with lit candles illuminated the evenings streets of Astoria on Good Friday, April 13th. The Sacred Patriarchal and Stavropegial Orthodox Monastery of St. Irene Chrysovalantou attracted a growing Greek community in Upper Ditmars, Astoria. Some of the finest Greek-American scholars have graduated from their Modern Greek language school. One person told me “St. Irene cares. They help all in need. They go out of their way to assist the old and lonely.” I have seen firsthand their philanthropic work.
Hundreds of New Yorkers following the Epitaphios with lit candles illuminated the evenings streets of Astoria.
The Good Friday Epitaphios Procession moved peacefully through Astoria, aided by police lines. The police and auxiliary police presence was significant. The procession continued through the urban streets with the protection of the NYPD. One auxiliary officer entered St. Irene’s sanctuary to see if parishioners were worshipping without problems.
Jasmine, a ten year old girl of Moroccan and Egyptian parents, from the neighborhood, said “I have never seen tall poles (lanterns) with flowing white ribbons.” She was referring to the Epitaphios procession. Her mother explained “we are all neighbors and watch out for each other. We are all people living peacefully with each other.”
The interior of St. Irene’s church has every inch of wall covered with extraordinary Byzantine iconography. The altar has intricate wood carvings that I have never seen before in local New York churches. Two rows of Greek columns, on the left and right side of the interior, support half domes. The voices of infants and the running footsteps of toddlers filled the church. This is a growing community. Traditional Greek-American families worship together, giving one hope for the future of middle class America.
On previous good Fridays, I venerated the Epitaphios, adorned with flowers, after the procession concluded in front of the altar. This is the first time I saw parishioners worship instead an eight foot (approximate) cross with white carnations and proceed directly to the c’s for the final worship. The expression of intense piety of parishioners, old, young and handicapped, made an incredible impression on this writer.
“I look in everyone’s eye and see respect and faith in Christ’s resurrection,” said His Grace, Bishop Ilia of Philomelion, Acting Abbot. “In the darkness of society, the light of the Orthodox church shines. We are a family with Papou and Yiayia worshiping with their children and grandchildren. You are all to be commended. Children learn from young to worship, passing on our traditions to the next generation.” For more information, contact His Grace Bishop Ilia of Philomelion, Acting Abbot, 36-07 23rd Avenue, Astoria, NY 11105-1916, The Sacred Patriarchal and Stavropegial Orthodox Monastery of St. Irene Chrysovalantou, Telephone: (718) 626-6225, Facsimile: (718) 626-7669 and E-mail: Sacred Patriarchal Monastery of St. Irene Chrysovalantou.