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Kimisis Church of the Hamptons Feast Day Supported by Tri-State Residents By Catherine Tsounis |
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| August 14th and 15th are special to all Orthodox Christians. "This is a time we celebrate the Dormition of the most superb human being, the Panagia," said His Eminence, Archbishop Demetrios, Primate of the Greek Orthodox Church of America. "The biggest number of churches and monasteries dedicated to the Panagia in one major city, Constantinople. Thirty-nine churches and monasteries exist. The second major area is Mount Athos with twelve churches and monasteries. It is called the Garden of Panagia. The future is not war and economic crisis. The future is the Church, Panagia and the saints as a comfort and positive perspective." These inspiring thoughts were expressed at the August 15th Feast Day services of the Kimisis Tis Theotokou Greek Orthodox church of the Hamptons. The two day Feast Day services and luncheon, presented to the East End of Long Island, the finest clerics and intellectuals of the Greek Orthodox faith. |
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 His Eminence, Archbishop Demetrios, preparing Holy Communion to the Congregation |
 His Eminence, Archbishop Demetrios, blessing Holy Bread with the assistance of Rev. Alexander Karloutsos and deacons |
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On the evening of the August 14th, Vespers, residents of the tri-state area attended. The Greek Orthodox clergy who performed the liturgy included: Rev. Alexander Karloutsos and Rev. Constantine Lazerakis, Kimisis Tis Theotokou Church of Southampton; Rev. Dennis Strouzas, Archangel Michael Church; Rev. John Kefalas, St. John's Church, Blue Point; Rev. Demetrios Moraitis, St. Paraskevi Church; Rev. Mark Arey, Greek Orthodox Archdiocese and Very Rev. Basil Summer of the Orthodox Church in America. "Without Panagia there would not be Jesus," said Rev. Mark Arey, who delivered the sermon. "He took his humanity from the Panagia. She is the ark of the covenant." Throughout his sermon, Rev. Arey used Greek phrases in an energetic, dynamic style that appeals to the Mediterranean temperament of the parishioners. He has an excellent command of the Greek language. "I was raised Protestant," he said. He is a convert. He represents the current trend in Greek Orthodoxy in appealing to persons of all backgrounds. The bilingual chanting was performed by youth from non-native speaking families of mixed Greek and American descent. A reception followed on the spacious church grounds. |
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 The altar boys in front of the icon of the Dormition of the Panagia at the August 14th |
 Elias Liakares, representing the Transfiguration of Christ Church of Mattituck, L.I., greets protopresbyter Alexander Karloutsos |
| The August 15th Feast Day was attended by five hundred persons. A luncheon followed on the church grounds "We have the great honor of having His Eminence celebrate our Feast Day," said Rev. Karloutsos. "This is his church as all the churches are in the Archdiocese." |
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(Posting date 19 August 2009) HCS encourages readers to view other articles and releases in our permanent, extensive archives at the URL http://www.helleniccomserve.com/contents.html, especially other fine articles penned by Dr. Tsounis in the eponymously titled section of our archives at http://www.helleniccomserve.com/archivetsounis.html |
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