October 23-27, 2006 - October seems to be the month for major renovations at SS. Peter and Paul Orthodox Church in South River, New Jersey. You will recall that a refurbished chandelier was installed two years ago, also in October. Whereas the reinstallation of the chandelier was accomplished in one day, installation of the new Iconostasis for our parish took the better part of an entire week. This photoreport is in two parts - this first part describes the preparation of the old Iconostasis to receive the new icons and introduces the viewer to the Russian-born, California native, Mr. Dmitry Shkolnik - the iconographer for the new Iconostasis in our Church. Part two shows the actual installation of the new icons and takes the viewer on an icon-by-icon tour of the new structure.
Above - quite an unusual sight to see - an Iconostasis without icons. Workers had removed the old icons in anticipation of placement of the new icons. Below left, the Candle Desk area had become temporary storage as it was necessary to move many items away from the Iconostasis to facilitate installation of the new icons. Below right, candle stands were grouped in front of the iconography on the back wall of our Church. Those icons were also written by Dmitry Shkolnik. More about Mr. Shkolnik further on in this report.
The Altar table was covered to protect it from damage during the icon installation (above left) and valuable cloths were placed in large Tupperware-like containers to protect them from becoming soiled. Below left - a view of our Church from the Sanctuary - the other side of the Iconostasis. Below right - in short, the Sanctuary had temporarily been converted into a work site and only the Table of Oblation appeared to be undisturbed by the installation process.
As one would expect, scaffolding was installed on both sides of the Iconostasis. Above left, a view of the scaffolding which was installed in the Sanctuary. Above right, vertical support columns which could not be moved certainly made installation of new icons in these areas more difficult.
In the two photos above left and the photo below left, the former icons had been respectfully laid aside in anticipation of the new iconography (above right and below right).
Above, the schematic layout for the new Iconostasis is shown above - each new icon had a specific destination. Below left, iconographer Dmitry Shkolnik flew in from California to be with us in South River for the entire week. The new icons accompanied Mr. Shkolnik on a flight from San Francisco to Newark. Mr. Shkolnik is shown below left adding the finishing touches in the Church Hall to the icon of the Nativity. Below right, a semicircular icon of the Dormition lies horizontally for a few minutes more before taking its upright position in the new Iconostasis on a permanent basis.
Above left - not only was Rev. David Garretson, Rector of SS. Peter and Paul Orthodox Church in attendance for the project for the entire week, he pitched in a considerable amount of work, as we shall see. Below right, Mr. Shkolnik holds the new icon "The Harrowing of Hades" - the representational icon for PASCHA. In the background of this photo is the former icon for the Resurrection. Mr. Shkolnik is a graduate of Holy Trinity Seminary (ROCOR) in Jordanville, New York, having received a Bachelor of Theology degree there. He is married and the father of five children. Examples of his iconography are in many Orthodox Churches in the United States and, as well, throughout the world, including the new Christ the Savior Cathedral in Moscow.
Above right and below left - Mr. Shkolnik and his assistant - also named Dmitry - worked in the Church Hall, putting finishing touches on the icons, including hand-written lettering. Above left, completed icons lay upstairs in a Church Hall classroom. This provided your reporter a unique opportunity to photograph the icons close-up in a manner which will never be possible again. You will see the results of that photography in Part II. of this photoreport. Below right - some artistic doodling by Mr. Shkolnik.
Measuring and planning were occurring simultaneously in Church. Above right, parishioners Nell and Leo Radionoff stopped by to observe the work. Below left - the two Dmitrys evaluate their handiwork. Below right and in the photos which follow, Mr. Shkolnik applies lettering to the icons with a paintbrush. All lettering is freestyle with no templates and Mr. Sholnik is amazingly good at writing with a paintbrush!
Above right, those icons which will occupy the lower tier in the new Iconostasis have been lined up in the Church Hall. Below - Mr. Shkolnik applies lettering to the Deisis icon (Jesus Christ, the Theotokos, and St. John the Baptist). It is the Deisis icon which will occupy the central position uppermost in the Iconostasis.
Above left - parishioner Robert Pisuk assists Fr. David in the cutting of wood strips which will help stabilize the new icons in the Iconostasis. No priestly vestments are required for this type of service to the Church! Below left - Mr. Shkolnik's assistant Dmitry sits on scaffolding in front of the Iconostasis while Fr. David's friend of more than 25 years, Ken Harris, sits on scaffolding in the Sanctuary. Mr. Harris - a very experienced constructor of stage settings in the Broadway theater - placed the wood strips which helped to secure the new icons. Together, they worked as a team.
Lower extremities dangle from the scaffolding as the work progresses (above left). Above right - electrical wiring behind the Iconostasis will also require attention before the project can be called complete.
Above - Fr. David evaluates the progress of the project as the work continues.
Above left - The Golgotha is temporarily situated before the partially completed Iconostasis.
Above and below - some additional views of the work as it progresses.
Please refer to Part II. of this photoreport for continuation of a review of the installation process, but more importantly, for an icon-by-icon tour of the new Iconostasis.
Confession schedule can be found in the bulletin OR by clicking here: Monthly Calendar. For those who are hesitant to worship in person, Fr. John is available to meet with you, either at home or in church, to participate in the Sacraments ofHoly Confession and Communion. Please email or call Fr. John to set up an appointment.
Coffee Hour Request: There is a need of volunteers for this service ministry. Please see Deborah Silowka to find out how you can help.
Looking Ahead....
The Men's Club with host a Parish Picnic at 7 Acres Park on Saturday, September 12th at 1:30PM, in honor of their 50th anniversary as a club. All parishioners are welcome to attend. There is NO CHARGE for this event!
Volleyball, Cornhole (not a tournament), Horseshoes, Hamburgers, Hotdogs, Sausages, Beer, Desserts, Smores? Please help us celebrate our 50th with us.
The First Church School Class of the 2026-27 academic year will be held on Sunday, September 13th.
A Welcome-to-the-Parish Housewarming Shower for The Jovels will be held on Sunday, September 13, at 1:00PM, in the hall. This special afternoon will be an opportunity to better meet and greet Fr. John, Matushka Sophia and their children and spend time getting to know them in a relaxed and casual setting. As they settle into the rectory and start making beautiful memories, the family has put together a registry/wish list of some items they still need. Parishioners are invited to look at the list, but there is absolutely NO OBLIGATION to buy anything. If you so desire, you may also consider joining with other parishioners, friends and/or family members to purchase a larger item from the registry. Again, NO GIFT is necessary to attend; your presence and warm welcome are what will make this gathering of joy, laughter, and fellowship special. RSVP to Allison Steffaro by Thurs., Sept. 10, if you are coming. Let's make the family feel at home in our parsih community! (NOTE: The registry website link is www.withjoy.com)
A Parish Cornhole Tournament, hosted by the Senior R Club, will be held on Sunday, September 27th; details to follow.
We continue to collect food to help keep the South River Food Bank stocked. Please leave your donations of non-perishable items on the table in the hall narthex.
The Altar Society is sponsoring an Atlantic City Bus Trip to Resorts Casino and Hotel on Tues, September 29th. Boarding will begin at 8:30am in the parking lot on Whitehead Ave.; departure will be at 9:00 am sharp.Cost is $40, which includes $18 back in slot play and a bag lunch. Try your luck, shop the outlets, or enjoy a walk on the beach without making the long drive. For reservations, see Sonja Neumayer during coffee hour or phone Elaine Mazzei (732-254-5815)
Come out and support the Annual Parish Fall Festival on Saturday, October 24th. Co-chairpeople Tanya Davis and Deborah Silowka can use your help, as we share our Slavic culture with all our friends and neighbors. If you have a few hours to spare, see Tanya or Deb and lend a hand..no volunteer will be turned away!
FOOD CARD PROGRAM : Food cards are available for various supermarket chains after Divine Liturgy, and do not cost any more than the face value of the card. The church receives a percentage as a free fundraiser! See Judy Znaiden in church or at jznaiden@optonline.net.
The celebration of the birth of the Virgin Mary to Saints Joachim and Anna. This feast, observed on September 8th, marks the beginning of our salvation history, as Mary's birth prepared the way for the Incarnation. The Church honors Mary as the bridge between the Old and New Testaments.
Divine Liturgy
The central worship service of the Orthodox Church, celebrating the Eucharist (Holy Communion). Usually celebrated on Sundays and feast days, the Divine Liturgy consists of the Liturgy of the Word (scripture readings) and Liturgy of the Faithful (Eucharistic prayer and communion). The most common forms are the Liturgies of St. John Chrysostom and St. Basil the Great.
St. Silouan the Athonite
The 20th-century Russian monk of Mount Athos known for his mystical experiences and spiritual writings. Silouan experienced divine visions and taught the prayer 'Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me.' His spiritual notes, preserved by his disciple, reveal profound insights into Orthodox spirituality and the experience of God.
Holy Baptism
The sacrament of initiation into the Orthodox Church, through which a person is united with Christ in His death and resurrection. The baptismal candidate is immersed three times in water in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, dying to sin and rising to new life in Christ. Baptism cleanses from original sin, grants adoption as God's child, and makes the person a member of the Body of Christ. In Orthodox practice, baptism is immediately followed by chrismation and first communion.
Vespers
The evening prayer service of the Orthodox Church, traditionally celebrated at sunset. Vespers includes psalms, hymns, scripture readings, and incense. On Saturday evenings, Great Vespers is often combined with the Sunday Divine Liturgy. The service marks the end of the liturgical day and prepares the faithful for rest and reflection.
Holy Confession
The sacrament of reconciliation through which the faithful confess their sins to a priest and receive absolution. Also called the sacrament of repentance or penance, confession restores the baptismal purity lost through sin and reconciles the penitent with God and the Church. The penitent stands before an icon of Christ while confessing to the priest, who acts as a witness and minister of God's forgiveness. The priest then covers the penitent's head with his epitrachelion (stole) and pronounces the prayer of absolution.
Elevation of the Holy Cross
The commemoration of the finding of Christ's Cross by St. Helena and its elevation by St. Macarius for veneration. Celebrated on September 14th, this feast is both joyful (for the Cross's discovery) and solemn (remembering Christ's suffering). Flowers and basil are often blessed, and a strict fast is observed.
