Bishop Athenagoras of Nazianzos at Archangel Michael Church
On March 13, His Grace Bishop Athenagoras of Nazianzos presided over the Sunday of Orthodoxy Divine Liturgy at Archangel Michael Church in Port Washington, New York, with the blessing of His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America. His Grace humbly thanked Rev. Fr. John Lardas, Rev. Fr. Michael Palamara, and the Parish Council for their thoughtful invitation to come and celebrate with the pious and loving community of Archangel Michael. The Church was overflowing with joyful children and altar servers reverently carrying their icons of Christ, the Virgin Mary, the saints, and the angels.
His Grace spoke to the Gospel reading of the day and how Christ calls us personally to “Come and See!” He said, “‘Come and See!’ is what Christ wants us to keep in our minds and in our hearts. He wants us to hear His Gospel, His message, which is one word—love. Love God. Love yourself. Love one another.”
His Grace also discussed the Triumph of Orthodoxy and how we reaffirm the significance of icons for our faith. And then he went up to the large beautiful icons of Christ and Panagia at the iconostasis to visually explain their notable symbolism. Such as why Christ wears a reddish garment underneath and a blue one on top, whereas Panagia wears those same colors but in reverse. To experience this moving and insightful sermon, you can watch it here at: https://fb.watch/bKw0yTLosW/ (3:12:30 mark | 10-minutes | English).