Holy Apostles Mission in Lansing, NY, celebrated its fifth anniversary this past weekend led by His Eminence, Michael, Archbishop of New York and the Diocese of New York and New Jersey. His Eminence had just previously celebrated the 125th anniversary of St George’s Church in Buffalo, the oldest parish in the diocese. As a sign of the endurance of the Orthodox Christians of the diocese and the blessings that the Lord continues to send to His people, His Eminence led the faithful of one of the youngest parishes in its celebration. In addition, nine local clergy representing three jurisdictions, as well as faithful from throughout the diocese and beyond came together to give thanks to God for the tremendous blessings that have been poured out on this young and vibrant community.
The anniversary celebration was continued with a festive meal at the Lansing Community Center, at which the faithful and guests were gathered together in a time of brotherly love and common joy. The Community Center was used because the rented worship space is not large enough to accommodate such a large gathering of people. It is the hope of the members of Holy Apostles Mission that by the time of the 10th anniversary, they will have enough space to host an even larger gathering.
After Great Vespers on that evening, many of the clergy and faithful returned to their homes. The anniversary festivities continued the following morning as His Eminence joined the faithful again for the Divine Liturgy.
In his homily, His Eminence talked about the value of joining prayer and fasting for the benefit of the growth of the faith and the furthering of Christ’s Holy Gospel. “The challenge is be part of an organization as the Holy Apostles were…to combine their trust in the Lord-which we call faith-and prayer, which is conversation with God.” His words were a call to be imitators of the Apostles so that the vineyard planting in Lansing would have a chance to flourish. His Eminence closed by reminding the congregation to “be warned, when you become stronger, you become a higher target for the evil one. So he will attack you even greater, and you will have to struggle even harder. Work even more and raise that level of discipline all the more. But it will bring you closer to the God who multiplied the loaves and the fishes, enabled Peter to walk on water, and healed the son of that man who no one else could help.” It was an encouraging lesson and will surely provide aid in the continued growth of Holy Apostles Mission.
Holy Apostles began five years ago to the day from the recent celebration. At that time, about a dozen people gathered in a small rented church building with Fr Timothy Holowatch being the priest-in-charge, and with the support of its mother parish of Ss Peter & Paul Church in Endicott, NY. The small group of faithful that were organized at that time has blossomed into a community several times that original number. Some folks have moved out of the area, though more seem to be sent to the parish. Being close to two major colleges, there are always spiritually thirsty people looking for a home as they relocate to the area. Holy Apostles has been that home for many. Today, the mission is home to over 60 parishioners, as well as many regular visitors.
The charitable outreach, celebration of the divine services and fellowship that are present at Holy Apostles is made possible not only through the sacrifice of the parishioners, but even more so through the generous support and donations from throughout the OCA and beyond. The mission is a recipient of the benefaction of the Distinguished Diocesan Benefactors fund; it has also been blessed to be a three year recipient of the OCA Church Planting Grant. Each of these, in addition to donations from numerous private individuals, has shown that a mission can thrive when it is nurtured from both the parishioners and the entire Church at large. It is with great joy and thankfulness that the faithful of Holy Apostles Mission continue to remember the gifts of time, talent and treasure that have been given for the building of Christ’s Holy Church in Lansing.
As a sign of its gratitude to God for His protection throughout these first five years, the parishioners of the mission made their yearly donation to the Distinguished Diocesan Benefactors fund, though this time it was in the amount of $555.
Several months ago, the faithful of Holy Apostles Mission began discussing the next steps they will take in furthering the Gospel in the Finger Lakes. Some of those possibilities lie in reaching out to our neighbors and in adorning the town with a beautiful Orthodox Christian temple. As the mission continues on its spiritual journey, it is encouraged by the love and support of all of its brothers and sisters, and humbly asks for their prayers for its continued growth.
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