Holy Ghost Orthodox Church

On May 29, 2021, His Beatitude Tikhon, Archbishop of Washington and Metropolitan of All America and Canada, issued new guidelines to the clergy and faithful of the Diocese of New England, regarding protocols for churches vis-a-vis the COVID-19 pandemic. His Beatitude serves not only as the primate of the Orthodox Church in America, but also as the locum tenens, or temporary hierarch, of the Diocese of New England, which presently is without a permanent bishop. The guidelines may be read here.

Being a good neighbor is part of the reason for our parish’s existence here in Bridgeport. During the Lenten season, we’re hosting two special activities as we endeavor to act as “Christ’s body” (I Cor. 12:27) within our community.

For one thing, we’re running a “Bottles and Cans Fundraiser” to benefit children through a local non-profit, Restoring Life Through Christ Ministries. Pastor Success Smith is teaching a group of neighborhood kids about finances—earning, spending, and saving. All funds collected will go into a special savings account for the children to manage. So, please, when your bottles and cans begin to pile high, drop them into the blue bin beside the back door of the parish rectory, and say a prayer for Pastor Success and the kids as you do so!

For another thing, our parish opened its doors to the Bridgeport Health Department on April 13 to conduct a COVID vaccination clinic. Twenty-five people got vaccinated with the Moderna vaccine, and they will return for their second shot in about three weeks. We appreciate our neighbors being able to step inside the nave of our church to take in the beauty of that space before they proceed to the church hall to get vaccinated. It makes us feel like we’re caring for their souls and their bodies as we provide for their health needs.

What a privilege to serve our Lord, in the guise of our neighbors (Matt. 25:40), as we journey through Great Lent.

—Deborah Belonick, Webmaster

Photo Gallery by Barbara Dulin