Holy Ghost Orthodox Church

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

The initial phase of a major restoration of our church building has been completed! Contractor Leo Chavez of LCT Home Improvement, LLC and his crew accomplished stunning work in refinishing the nave, sanctuary, choir loft, and ladies’ restroom. Additionally our own parishioner, Steven Doughty, took the lead in repairing sections of the ladies’ restroom, and our trustworthy plumber, Linson Rhodes, provided for the electrical and plumbing work in that room.

Chavez‘s love for our church and our parish members was evident as he accomplished the following detailed work quickly and equitably:
-Installed a new exterior wall with reinforced framing in the ladies’ room, thus stopping water penetration through the deteriorating existing wall, with the installation of a new vanity, sink, and mirror, along with new electrical and plumbing work;
-Patched and repaired holes in plaster walls throughout the stairwells and in the basement;
-Repaired and painted kitchen walls and performed professional cleaning of fixtures;
-Repaired heavily damaged walls in the choir loft, using multiple layers of new plaster, and painted the choir loft and the vaulted ceiling over it, including the addition of new hand-painted gold stars;
-Cleaned, sealed, and painted (2 coats) all walls and arches in the main part of the nave;
-Steamed-cleaned the large center chandelier, as well as the smaller chandeliers in the choir loft, and in the altar and vestibule areas;
-Repaired and painted the heating system vent/returns in the rear of the nave;
-Caulked and sealed around windows; and
-Performed a final cleaning of the church.

We are grateful to God for this breathtaking transformation, and we thank Chavez and all the workmen involved in the project.