CAMPBELL Orthodox church to conduct rite of relics installation

An Amish man made the resting spot for the Orthodox relics.
By D.A. WILKINSON
VINDICATOR RELIGION EDITOR
CAMPBELL -- The ancient rite of the installation of relics will be televised for churchgoers.
Relics -- very small parts of the mortal remains, most likely bones -- from St. Elizabeth the New Martyr and St. Barbara the New Martyr will be placed in the altar at St. John the Baptist Orthodox Church.
The installation mixing the old and the new reflects on the faith of those alive today, said Archpriest John Steffaro, the pastor of the church.
The installation will take place during a consecration service at 8:30 a.m. Saturday.
Anniversary celebration
The service is part of a weekend of events celebrating the church's 85th anniversary, the renovation of the church, the addition of new icons, and the first visit to a parish by Metropolitan Herman as the new head of the Orthodox Church in America, according to Father Steffaro.
St. Elizabeth was a member of the Russian royal family who started a nursing community, Saints Martha and Mary, after the assassination of her husband. In 1918, after the Communist revolution, she, St. Barbara, a member of her order, and other members of the royal family were killed with hand grenades after they were thrown down a mine shaft.
Veneration of the bodies of Christians dates to the early days of the church and became more common the Middle Ages, according to the Oxford Concise Dictionary of the Christian Church.
Belief in powers
Some see the bodies and relics of saints as containing the Holy Spirit and having healing or other miraculous powers, but Father John sees them as a connection to church's history and the spiritual ancestors of today's Christians.
The martyrs, said Father John, "were witnesses for Jesus."
The two women willingly gave their all for their faith, the priest said.
That's an example also shown by another martyr, St. Paul, who, before his death wrote in the New Testament that he had fought the good fight and finished the race.
"Would I have been willing to be martyred?" asked Father John. "I hope so."
Metropolitan Herman will bring the relics sealed in a small reliquary, which will be placed in the center of the existing altar.
In Orthodox churches, an iconastasis divides the sanctuary from the churchgoers. The structure is decorated with icons, or paintings of saints.
Father John said that in the early days of the church, before books were common, people learned their faith by listening to preaching and looking at icons.
Need for camera
But the structure partly obscures the view of the altar, hence the need for the camera. The camera will show the actions at the altar on a large television screen that will be placed near the front of the church.
After an elaborate procession and the placement of the relics, the wood top of the altar will be placed on the wood base. Rocks will be used to pound in wood dowels to secure the altar top.
Father John said the rocks represent the rocks at the base of the cross of Jesus.
A mixture of rose water and wine will be used to wash the altar, and cloths and natural sponges will be used to clean up. Father John said the idea is to use as many natural materials as possible.
The altar will then be anointed with holy oil. A linen cloth representative of Jesus' shroud will be placed on the altar. The cloth was made by a parishioner, Lynn Polewan.
Regular altar cloths will be placed on top of the linen cloth, and finally, the Gospels, a cross, and Communion items will be put back on the altar.
The alterations to the altar were done by an Amish man, Levi Byler of New Wilmington, Pa..
"He does a lot of woodworking for us," said the priest.
Father John said he had become friends with the man several years ago. Byler's projects have included helping to hang icons and making a holder for large wooden candleholders.
Artist added icons
Chicago artist Arlene Tilghman added new icons at the rear of the church. Etched glass windows were also installed at the rear of the church.
The pews and woodwork were redone, and new carpeting was installed. Since the items are new, the church will be reconsecrated during the events.
The physical changes are not the only changes at the church. As a reminder to minister to even the lowest person as outlined in Matthew 25, Father John said church members now recite during prayers, "Let us love one another as Jesus loves us."
The church has about 300 members. About half are from Campbell and the rest range from surrounding communities in Ohio and Pennsylvania.
Bishop Job of the Chicago and Midwest region will be taking part in the service. Other events include:
U At 6 p.m. today, a Vesper service with the presentation to the church of the holy relics.
U On Saturday, A hierarchical divine liturgy will follow the installation. A barbecue will be held before vesper services at 6 p.m.
U On Sunday, a hierarchical liturgy at 10 a.m. will include ordination of Dr. Don Tamulonis, Harrison Krenitsky and John Zelina to the sub-deaconate. A banquet at The Georgetown will be at 4:30 p.m. Sunday.
wilkinson@vindy.com
XFor more information, visit http://stjohnorthodox.homestead.com.