The Patron Feast Celebration of the Residential Chapel of the Hierarch
The Nativity of the Ever Virgin Mary - Vatra Românească
Grass Lake, Michigan
September 7-8, 2005

On September 7-8, 2005, clergy and faithful from across the diocese traveled to Vatra Românească in Grass Lake, Michigan, to celebrate the Patron Feast of the chapel there, The Nativity of the Ever Virgin Mary.
Protosinghel Lucian (Coroi) calls the people to the church with the toaca.
Great Vespers was celebrated by V Rev Archimandrite Dr Mihail (Filimon), Abbot of The Ascension of the Lord Monastery, assisted by Rev Hierodeacon Sebastian (Dumitraşcu).
Archbishops NATHANIEL and NICOLAE attending at the thrones.
Bishops IRINEU and SERAPHIM attending at the thrones.
Hierodeacon Sebastian censes the hierarchs.
"Wisdom!  Arise!"
Some of the clergy in attendance (from L-R) V Rev Fr Ion Gherman, V Rev Fr Ioan Ioniţa, Rev Fr Remus Grama, & Rev Fr Romey Rosco.
As is prescribed for Great Feasts, the Litia service was celebrated.
(From L-R) V Rev Fr Laurence Lazar, V Rev Fr David Brum, Protopresbyter Robert Kondratick, & V Rev Fr Nicholas Apostola.
"Your Nativity, O Virgin, has proclaimed joy to the whole universe!  The Sun of Righteousness, Christ our God, has shone from you, O Birthgiver of God!  By annulling the curse, He bestowed a blessing.  By destroying death, He has granted us eternal life."
The hierarchs anoint themselves at the conclusion of the service.
The hierarchs present pause for a photo in front of the troiţa. (From L-R): His Grace, Bishop IRINEU; His Eminence, Archbishop NICOLAE; His Eminence, Archbishop NATHANIEL; & His Grace, Bishop SERAPHIM of Ottawa.
A number of the clergy present Wednesday night gather for a photo with the hierarchs.
Clergy and faithful had some time to greet and visit with one another before dinner.
Blessing the evening meal.
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On Thursday morning, September 8, the clergy gathered at the Bishop's Residence and escorted the hierarchs in procession to the church.
The beginning of the Divine Liturgy.
"For the peace from above and for the salvation of our souls, let us pray to the Lord."
"Lord, Lord, look down from heaven.  Look at this vine, visit it, protect what Your own right hand has planted."
The Holy Gospel is proclaimed in the English and Romanian languages by Rev Archdeacon David Oancea and Hierodeacon Sebastian.
The Great Entrance.
"May the Lord God remember your episcopacy in His kingdom, always, now and ever, and unto ages of ages."
His Eminence, Archbishop NICOLAE recites the petitions.
"Holy!  Holy!  Holy!  Lord of Sabaoth!..."
The communion of the clergy.
The communion of the faithful.
The dismissal.
Immediately following the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, His Grace, Bishop IRINEU officiated a Memorial Service (Parastas) in memory of the deceased hierarchs and clergy of the diocese, as well as those faithful resting in the Saint Mary Cemetery at Vatra Românească.
"Memory eternal!"
"Veşnică pomenire!"
"From generation to generation, may their memory be eternal."
His Eminence, Archbishop NATHANIEL welcomes those present.
Bishops IRINEU and SERAPHIM listen attentively to His Eminence.
His Eminence then invited His Grace, Bishop SERAPHIM of Ottawa & Canada (OCA) to offer a few words about the Feast of the Nativity of the Ever Virgin Mary.
The clergy then returned in procession to the Bishop's Residence and gathered for a group photo.
"Întru mulţi ani, stăpâne!"
An agape meal was offered for all in attendance in the Pavilion Hall, sponsored by Dorian & Kim Conty's Alliance for the Children Foundation.
His Grace, Bishop IRINEU thanks everyone for coming and invites them to return in the future.
Rev Fr Nicolae Izbasa, assistant priest of The Nativity of the Lord Parish in Chicago, Illinois, with a group of faithful representing the Conty family.
The bus charted by Saint Mary Cathedral in Cleveland, Ohio, prepares for the return trip home.