Orthodox clergy, including Father Theophan of Job of Pochaiv Orthodox Christian Church in Los Alamos, right,  gather Sunday evening, March 24 at All Saints of North America Orthodox Church in Albuquerque for Pan-Orthodox vespers. Courtesy photo

ST. JOB OF POCHAIV NEWS RELEASE

On Sunday evening, March 24, Orthodox clergy and faithful from all over New Mexico gathered at All Saints of North America Orthodox Church in Albuquerque for Pan-Orthodox vespers. This was the first Sunday of the Great Fast in preparation for the celebration of Pascha, this year, on May 5. 

The first Sunday of the Fast is the Triumph of Orthodoxy, when we commemorate the reinstatement of iconography to it’s proper place in Orthodox worship and the defeat of iconoclasm. 

Seven parishioners from Saint Job of Pochaiv and Father Theophan from St. Job of Pochaiv Christian Orthodox Church in Los Alamos took part in the service and procession around the church with icons. And later enjoyed a fellowship meal together. 

At the end of the service, the people and the clergy recited the conclusion of the conclusion of the Seventh Ecumenical Council:

“As the Prophets beheld, As the Apostles taught, As the Church received, As the Teachers dogmatized, As the Universe agreed, As Grace illumined, As the Truth revealed, As falsehood passed away, As Wisdom presented, As Christ awarded, Thus we declare, Thus we assert, Thus we proclaim Christ our true God and honor His saints, In words, In writings, In thoughts, In sacrifices, In churches, In holy icons. On the one hand, worshipping and reverencing Christ as God and Lord. And on the other hand, honoring and venerating His Saints as true servants of the same Lord. 

“This is the Faith of the Apostles. This is the Faith of the Fathers. This is the Faith of the Orthodox. This is the Faith which has established the Universe.”