On Saturday, September 12, 2015, His Beatitude, Metropolitan Tikhon and His Eminence, Archbishop Michael of New York and New Jersey consecrated Saint Spiridon Church, Perth Amboy, NJ, in conjunction with the parish’s 100th Anniversary.
Twelve clergy from the Orthodox Church in America’s Deanery, along with the pastor of Saint John Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Church, participated in the Rite of Consecration, which included the placing of relics into the holy altar table, and the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy. In his homily, Metropolitan Tikhon referred to the consecration as “a rededication, a renewal and a recommitment” to continue following Christ after a century of faithful service and witness. He noted that while a church is a building, it is a building “with a soul,” for it is the People of God “who are the soul of this building through their faith, sacrificial service and perseverance and their love of Christ and one another.” It is precisely this, he continued that “turns these bricks and mortar into a spiritual oasis for all who are weary and heavy laden.”
At the conclusion of the Liturgy, Metropolitan Tikhon presented a Synodal Gramota to the parish’s rector, Archpriest Maryan Chaykivsky and the parish, while Archbishop Michael presented Diocesan Gramoti to thirteen parishioners in recognition of their devoted service to the Church and parish.
A festive banquet featuring folk dancing follows. Mayor Wilda Diaz also was present and read a congratulatory proclamation on behalf of the City of Perth Amboy.
Saint Spiridon parish was established in August 1915 by a small group of eastern European immigrants who settled in Perth Amboy. With the blessing of His Eminence, Archbishop Evdokim, Archpriest Peter Kohanik celebrated the parish’s first Divine Liturgy on September 13 of that year, renting space at Saint Stanislaus Polish Roman Catholic Church. Two months later, the parish moved to purchase Saint Stanislaus Church, an adjacent parcel of land, and a cemetery.
During its 100-year history, the parish has witnessed major demographic changes, but its mission to proclaim the Gospel has remained the same and, in recent years, has experienced a major revival amongst its faithful and the wider community.
