Staten Island Greek Orthodox church consecrated by Archbishop

Maura Grunlund/Staten Island Advance 
8/6/13

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. – Archbishop Demetrios of America visited Staten Island to consecrate Holy Trinity-St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in Bulls Head last weekend more than four decades after its construction.

The Consecration was “a profoundly important event in the life of our Community at Holy Trinity-St. Nicholas Greek Church,” that involved one and a-half years of preparation, said the Rev. Nicholas Petropoulakos, the protopresbyter or pastor.

“The Consecration of a church is the service of sanctification and the solemn dedication of a building for use as a holy place of worship,” Father Petropoulakos said.

“In simple terms, it is the Baptism and Chrismation of a church.

“The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America explains that ‘Consecration is a special service which ‘changes’ an ordinary building into the House of God.’¤” the pastor continued, explaining, “This change takes place through the Grace of God and the Holy Spirit.” 

A LIFE IN CHRIST

The faithful strive for salvation by leading what is referred to as a “Life in Christ,” the center of which is the Holy Altar Table that is the focus of the Consecration service.

Last Sunday at Holy Trinity-St. Nicholas, the Consecration Service began with the archbishop leading three processions, each culminating in a blessing, around the church building. The archbishop then entombed the relics of St. Cyricus, St. Panteleimon and 40 Holy Martyrs of the St. Savas Monastery and the names of living and deceased family members in a crypt in the altar table. He washed and anointed the table and then proceeded to anoint all the major icons and the Pantokrator dome in the church.

The archbishop held the first Divine Liturgy in the newly consecrated church. A highlight was the opportunity for all to place a few drops of oil into the Unquenchable Vigil Candle, which his eminence placed on the altar at the conclusion of the liturgy. The St. Paul Medal, the highest award that a parishioner may receive, was bestowed upon Stacey Anastos by the archbishop at the liturgy in recognition of his many years of service and dedication to the church.

Over 300 people attended a parish Banquet of Celebration and Thanksgiving at the Hilton Garden Inn after the liturgy. Last Saturday, Bishop Sevastianos Skordallos presided at Great Vespers and a coffee fellowship afterwards hosted by the Ladies Philoptochos. 

CHURCH RENOVATION

The present church building was extensively renovated prior to the archbishop’s visit.

“If we make the comparison of the Consecration to the baptism of a child, we can see that the donning of new clothing or physical trappings is symbolic of the renewal that occurs,” Father Petropoulakos said.

“Thus, the Consecration Construction Committee of Holy Trinity-St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church was committed to the beautification of the Church to enhance and complete the event,” he said.

A new altar facade that surrounds the Holy Table was created along with a new pulpit, bishop’s throne and a welcoming desk in the narthex.

The Pantokrator dome with its depiction in icon form of Christ as the Almighty or All-powerful was recreated. Icons of two saints of deep significance to the congregation, St. Nicholas and St. Spyridon, grace a new chapel which is considered a place for contemplation and healing.

The exterior facade of the church and its front doors were refurbished. Inside, the entire church was repainted, lighting was enhanced and the bathrooms were renovated. 

REACHING OUT

To keep down costs, the Consecration Construction Committee also reached out to parishioners who had expertise in the building trades and to volunteers who assisted with the remodeling. Tony DeLuca of Nouveau Riche Interiors provided free designs and cost-effective suggestions for the decoration of the church.

Richmond County Savings Foundation and Northfield Savings Bank grants covered some of the expenses, and Petros Gregoriou, fundraising chairman, assisted in obtaining the necessary donations. A Consecration Donor Plaque in the narthex commemorates all major donors.

The original church was chartered as Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in 1934 on the same property. Later, in the late 1940s, the name St. Nicholas was added in memory of a dedicated parishioner, Nicholas Skunakis, and also because St. Nicholas is the patron saint of many of the islands from which the early Greek settlers immigrated.

In 1968, under the pastorate of Father Spyridon Macris, construction began on a new house of worship, which is the present church. Archbishop Iakovos blessed the opening of the new church on April 10, 1970.

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