October 23-27, 2006 - A new Iconotstasis was installed in SS. Peter and Paul Orthodox Church in South River, New Jersey, during the week of October 23, 2006. The photoreport covering the installation from start to finish is in two parts. This page is Part II. of the photoreport and it deals primarily with the indivual icons which comprise the new Iconostasis. Part I. of the photoreport describes the icon installation process and gives a little bit of information about the iconographer - Mr. Dmitry Shkolnik - who wrote all of the icons for our new Iconostasis.
For the sake of logistics, we will define our parish's Iconostasis to consist of three tiers. The top tier has space for five icons. The second tier has space for nine icons. The third, or lowest tier, in the Iconostasis has space also for nine icons. In the top tier at the very center is the Deisis icon (above) which depicts Jesus Christ, His Mother the Most-Holy Theotokos, and Saint John the Baptist. The Deisis icon now occupies the position in the icon screen formerly occupied by the icon of the Resurrection. On either side of the Deisis icon in the same tier are the two icons shown below. On the left of the Deisis icon is the icon of St. Sergius of Radonezh (the patron saint of our Pastor Emeritus, the V. Rev. Sergius Kuharsky) and St. Alexander Nevsky (below left) while on the right of the Deisis icon is the icon of Saints Vladimir and Olga (below right).
Two icons complete the first tier and each of them is situated at the extreme outer limits of the Iconostasis. Each of them (above) is semicircular in shape and each of them is devoted to events of the Most-Holy Theotokos - Her Nativity and Her Dormition. As regards the second tier in the Iconostasis, there are nine icons which, when viewed from left to right, represent nine events in the life of Jesus Christ. Left to right they are as follows: Nativity, Presentation, Baptism (Theophany), Transfiguration, the institution of the Sacrament of Holy Communion at the Last Supper; Crucifixion (Good Friday), Resurrection (PASCHA), Ascension, and Pentecost. The description below discusses these icons (not in the left to right order in which they appear in the Iconostasis). We will first consider the icon of The Last Supper. It is centrally located in the second tier of icons, being found above the Royal Doors.
The two icons immediately above and the four icons immediately below round out the icons comprising the second tier in the Iconostasis. Their presentation here is not necessarily in concordance with their appearance in the icon screen. Above left is the icon representing the Feast Day of the Theophany (observed on January 6 each year) - the Baptism by St. John of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Above right is the icon devoted to the Feast Day of the Presentation of Jesus Christ in the Temple. This Feast is observed every year on February 2.
The icon above left is dedicated to the Feast Day of Holy Pentecost - a variable Feast occurring fifty days after PASCHA. Above right is the representation of the Feast Day of the Ascension, also a variable Feast Day. The Feast Day of the Ascension occurs invariably each year forty days after PASCHA.
Above left is the icon "The Harrowing of Hades". It is the representation icon for the Feast Day of the Resurrection of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ - the most holy day on the Orthodox Christian calendar. Above right is the icon depicting the most solemn day on the Orthodox Christian calendar - Good Friday, which is the day on which Our Lord was crucified.
Above left is the icon depicting the Feast Day of the Transfiguration which is observed each August 6. Above right is the Nativity icon which depicts the birth of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
The two icons immediately above and the seven icons immediately below show enlarged views of specific areas of the icons already presented. Note the vivid coloration, the intricate detail, and the facial expressiveness evoked - all as intended by Mr. Shkolnik.
Above - the icons comprising the third or lowest tier of the Iconostasis were lined up in the Church Hall in the order in which they would be placed within the framework of the Iconostasis. Left to right they are: the smaller Royal Doors (not shown here); St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, St. Michael the Archangel (deacon's door), the Most-Holy Theotokos, the middle Royal Doors (not shown here); Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, Protomartyr and First Deacon St. Stephen (deacon's door), Saints Peter and Paul - our Patrons - and Saint Innocent of Alaska. The seven icons below (excluding the two sets of Royal Doors) are those just described but in larger view.
Above is a greatly enlarged view of a section of the Deisis icon.
Above left is an enlarged view of the icon of St. Innocent of Alaska, while above right is an enlarged view of the icon of the Theotokos and Her Son Jesus Christ This icon is immediately to the left of the Royal Doors. Below is an enlargement of a portion of the icon of our Patrons - Saints Peter and Paul.
All that remains to be discussed is the iconography of the Royal Doors. In our parish we have two sets of Royal Doors to discuss - the larger or central Royal Doors in use today and the smaller Royal Doors at the extreme left of the Iconostasis. The smaller Royal Doors at the extreme left of the Iconostasis were once the entrance to the original, much smaller Sanctuary that our early Church had. On the main Royal Doors are depicted the Feast Day of the Annunciation (above) and the four Evangelists - Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John (circular icons below).
Above left is the iconography of the main Royal Doors and above right is the similar iconography of the smaller Royal Doors at the extreme left of the Iconostasis.
As we close the discussion of the new Iconostasis, presented above and below are some random photos that hopefully you, the viewer, will enjoy. Above left, Fr. David does a little housecleaning fifteen feet above the Ambo. Above right, he helps Mr. Shkolnik remove a plank from the scaffolding.
Above left - Mr. Ken Harris is at work securing the icons to the framework of the Iconostasis. Above right, Mr. Harris's image is temporarily framed by the ornate borders of our Iconostasis.
Above left - moments before lunch on Friday afternoon, October 27, Rev. Garretson brings a sample of his model railroading skills to show Mr. Harris who is also a fan of model railroads. Above right - Fr. David prays before lunch in the Church Hall on Friday afternoon. For the record, all of us had fish. Most of us had fried flounder fillet of fish sandwich on a hard roll from Jensen's Fish Market and it was delicious!
Mr. Shkolnik (above left) and Fr. David (above right) look on as the work on the Iconostasis progresses.
Above - Fr. David and Dmitry pose before the Iconostasis on Friday evening, October 27, as it had been nearly ninety percent completed at that point. Many Years! Mnogaya Lyeta! to all - be they artist, carpenter, or financial benefactor - who were associated with the Iconostasis project in our Church from its inception to its completion.
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 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.
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.
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.
