Feastday in Gosford

On Friday, 8 August, and Saturday, 9 August, the young and growing Saint Panteleimon Community of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia in Gosford marked the feast of its heavenly patron for the third time.

The community is located approximately an hour's drive north of the city of Sydney. Many of Sydney's Russians have vacation homes in that area, and several of them have moved there permanently. Thus, with the blessing of Archbishop Hilarion, a new community as grown up among the lakes and small inlets of that region.

Although the divine services have been celebrated regularly in the community over the last three years, it still lacks a permanent church building. At present, a local social hall is being rented. For each service, the icons, candlestands, altar-table and temporary, portable iconostasis have to be brought into the hall--all of which requires great effort on the part of the parishioners. In 2001, the priest James Carles was appointed rector of the community. He travels to Gosford on the first and third Sunday of every month, and speaks with and visits parishioners at other times as well.

The community diligently prepared for the patronal feastday in honor of the holy Great-martyr and Healer Panteleimon. The vigil was served by Fr. James, assisted by Protodeacon Basil Yakimov, a clergyman of the neighboring parish of St. John the Baptist in Canberra, the capital of Australia. Likewise participating in the vigil were Priest Quentin de Castelbajac, from Lyon, France, and Hieromonk John, who also serves the St. Panteleimon Community. Unfortunately, Archbishop Hilarion was traveling abroad and was unable to head the celebration.

On Saturday, the lesser blessing of water was performed by Fr. Quentin. Protodeacon Herman and Deacon Vadim Gan arrived from Sydney for the Liturgy, as did believers from Sydney and New Castle. Many of the faithful received the holy Mysteries of Christ. It was a joy to see so many young families with children.

The homily for the feast day was delivered by Fr. James. The service concluded with a procession and service of supplication to St. Panteleimon. Icons of the saint were distributed to all who attended as a prayerful memento.

After the divine services, a festal banquet was provided, after which several were heard to say that the community really needs its own building, that a church should be erected to the glory of God.

Glory to God for all things!