WESTERN AMERICAN DIOCESE: December 1, 2004

Holy Archangels Orthodox Church Celebrates its Feast Day

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On the day of Archangel Michael, Holy Archangels Orthodox Church in Phoenix, AZ, celebrated its holiday. All-night vigil and divine liturgy were performed by the Parish Rector, Fr John McCuen. The services were solemnly performed in Church Slavonic and English. After divine liturgy, a moleben and procession of the cross were performed around the church, after which Fr John consecrated the new bells, installing a cross over them. After the rite of blessing, as is the rule, the bells were rung. A trapeza feast was offered afterwards.

As Fr John noted, the addition of church bells is yet another sign of a spiritually healthy and growing parish in Arizona. Just two years ago services were held in a small suite in downtown Phoenix. Now the services are held in a building located in a quiet neighborhood near the South Mountain in Phoenix Plans are now being developed to relocate the church into the adjoined building, which accommodates a larger space and correctly faces east. We ask for everyone’s prayers.