On the evening of Thursday, November 14th, the faithful of Holy Apostles Church in Lansing, NY (a mission of the Diocese of New York and New Jersey) were joined by His Grace, Bp Michael and faithful from several area churches for a monumental and historic event in her young life. 

            Having worshipped for its first three years with two icons on temporary panels, Holy Apostles raised the funds for the construction of an iconostasis.  This was delivered several weeks ago and was stained, sealed and installed by the faithful missionaries to the Finger Lakes region.  They have been worshipping with the aid of the new iconostasis since the beginning of October. 

            Last Thursday, Bp Michael came to see the work of the faithful and to bless the new iconostasis.  The parishioners were joined by many of the clergy from Ss Peter and Paul Church in Endicott (the mother parish to the mission), including Archpriest Alexey Karlgut, Archpriest Timothy Holowatch, Priest John Bohush and Deacon Symeon Peet.  Also joining in on the joyous celebration were faithful from that parish and St Katherine's Church in Ithaca.  Each of these friends of the parish have contributed in a multitude of ways since the founding of the mission.

            The evening began with a festive meal full of sumptuous foods - for the Nativity Fast was close at hand!  Then, with the arrival of His Grace, the service commenced.  The moleben, or prayer service, entitled Moleben Before the Beginning of Every Good Work was celebrated.  Added to the prayers were those for the blessing of the new iconostasis.  When the time in the service came, Bp Michael was escorted by Bob West, Sr Warden of the mission, along the iconostasis with the holy water.  His Grace blessed the beautiful woodwork with copious amounts of water, hoping and praying that just as many blessings will continue to be poured out on this parish and diocese from our Great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. 

            When the blessing was completed, the congregation retired to the social area (no social hall yet, but it will come soon enough!) and had a dessert reception while basking in the joy of the blessings which the Lord has offered to this small yet thriving mission. 

            Fr James Worthington and the faithful of Holy Apostles Church would like to thank everyone around the diocese who have helped to make the dream of building an Orthodox community in Lansing a reality.  God willing, our next project is to build a new temple to the His Glory.