Christ the Savior-Holy Spirit Orthodox Church
Archpriest Steven C. Kostoff
4285 Ashland Ave, Cincinnati OH 45212 - (513) 351-0907

Bishop Paul delivering the homily...
Bishop Paul delivering the homily...
Bishop Paul delivering the homily...

... Following the reading of the Gospel by Deacon Alexander, Bishop Paul gave a homily for the Sunday of the Samaritan Woman, expressing how our Faith in Christ is always something which must be experienced, and exhorting us to so experience our Lord Jesus Christ and reflect His Life in our lives, that we too would witness Him to the world, that others may come to know Him and believe.

 

The Ordination occurs soon after the consecration of the Eucharistic Gifts, and before the Lord's Prayer. In a manner similar to the Orthodox wedding service, the new deacon is led around the altar three times, while the clergy and the choir alternate singing the same hymn as used in the wedding procession, "Rejoice O Isaiah." With each turn around the altar, the new deacon kisses the corners of the altar, and makes a full prostration to the seated Bishop, affirming his vows to faithfully serve Jesus Christ, His Holy Church, Her Bishops and Priests. He is spiritually wedded to the Church, to the Altar, in which is placed relics of the saints.


The laying on of hands...
The laying on of hands...
The laying on of hands...

Following the three processions, the new deacon kneels at the corner of the altar while the Bishop lays his hands upon him and consecrates him. The Bishop then presents the Deacon to the Faithful, vesting him in his new diaconal robes; as he presents each vestment, the Bishop exclaims AXIOS! three times, the faithful responding each time.

 

At Communion, Deacon Paul followed Deacon Alexander in bringing out the Holy Gifts to the People. Following Communion, accompanied by Deacon Alexander, Deacon Paul intoned his first Liturgy as a rightfully ordained clergyman.

 

At the end of the Liturgy, Bishop Paul offered a heartfelt exhortation to both Deacon Paul and Matushka Kris on the meaning of their new role in the Life of the Church. Then, His Grace offered "Many Years!" to the newly ordained Deacon Paul and family, which our wonderful choir joyfully led us in singing. The Gansle family was then greeted and congratulated by the Faithful following the veneration of the Cross.

 

A wonderful festal meal, organized by Presvytera Deborah, followed in the Church Hall, capping off a most special weekend in parish history, especially fitting as we celebrate the 40th Anniversary of Christ the Savior-Holy Spirit.

 

 

Guest Speakers for Great Lent 2016

Theologian Fr. Cyril Hovorun and Author Angela Doll Carlson visit Christ the Savior - 04/16/16

Through providential opportunities, we were able to host two unique speakers during Great Lent this year.

 

On Sunday, April 3, following the Divine Liturgy, author Angela Doll Carlson read from her new book, Nearly Orthodox, and engaged with the parish for some lively Q&A discussion after. Her honest and insightful account of her journey to the Orthodox Faith provides a refreshing and artistic, poetic perspective for converts, seekers and strugglers. 

 

For her reading, Angela chose a passage perfect for Great Lent, which reflected on the necessity of taking time to allow the lengthy services (especially of the Great Canon of St Andrew during the First Week) to work their grace in us, and linking that to the need for simple, play time with her children. It was a very thoughtful passage and, coming on the Sunday of the Cross, served as an added encouragement to us to press forward through the course of the Fast.

 

Copies of her book are available online or in the parish bookstore. Angela has family in the area, so we hope to see her often on her repeat visits to Cincinnati!

 

On April 16 & 17, Fr. Cyril Hovorun, distinguished Orthodox priest and theologian who teaches at Kiev and Stockholm, and is a research fellow at Yale and Columbia Universities, led us on an fascinating exploration of the issues surrounding the upcoming Pan-Orthodox Council, as well as of the role and witness of the Orthodox Church in the world in general. We recorded both his talks, and invite you to listen to them here.

 

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Sunday of Orthodoxy Vespers 2016

Our choir team - ready to sing!
Our choir team - ready to sing!
The mixed choir, directed by Kurt Sander...
... gathered around the kliros
The packed church at St George...
...there were another twenty or so behind the photographer!
Proclaiming the Triumph of Orthodoxy...
...and the Restoration of the Holy Icons!
Fr Petar Petrovic
Fr Steven Kostoff at the conclusion of Vespers
Choir director Kurt Sander
Fr Steven delivers the homily...
Concelebrants of Sunday of Orthodoxy Vespers
Fr Daniel Marshall (r.) invites all present...
...to the visit of the Kursk-Root Icon to St George (ROCOR)
Fr Petar thanks all those present and invites us to stay for the meal
The pan-Orthodox choir

During the 'Kneeling Prayers' of the Vespers of Pentecost
During the 'Kneeling Prayers' of the Vespers of Pentecost
During the 'Kneeling Prayers' of the Vespers of Pentecost

It was at the Great Vespers service that we first sang "O Heavenly King" for the first time in fifty days. Our choir sang all of the festal hymnography beautifully and prayerfully as we gathered on the eve of the Feast in preparation and anticipation of the "great day" of Pentecost.

 

We then enjoyed a wonderful Liturgy for Pentecost on Sunday morning, as we relived and actualized the reception of the Holy Spirit who "descended" into our midst as we assembled together in the presence of the Risen Lord.  The church was decorated in green as the sign of  eternal renewal which is a gift of the Holy Spirit who makes all things new. Unique to the Feast is the immediate celebration of the Vespers of Pentecost following the Liturgy. 

 

At the end of the Vespers service, as we sang the troparion of Pentecost, I tossed walnut leaves - perfectly shaped like  "tongues of fire" - into the air throughout the entire church, that then fell down upon everyone as a sign of our reception of the Holy Spirit.  I discovered this colorful practice in a Bulgarian Orthodox Church some years ago, and we have been doing it here for many years now.  Not only our children, but anyone who has a "childlike" openness to the divine presence, really enjoys that rite.  After what is a long morning, I believe that we then leave with a sense of spiritual renewal.

 

 

Welcome New Members!

Updated December 16, 2016

 

 

Be sure to introduce yourselves

and get acquainted at coffee hour!

 

Scroll down to see more new member photos from 2015 and earlier!

Dr Nicole Roccas previews her new book, 'Time and Despondency'

 

From Father Steven:

 

[During our October 30] post-Liturgy discussion, we were treated to a short, but excellent presentation by our former parishioner, Dr. Nicole Roccas. Nicole spoke of her forthcoming book that will be titled Time and Despondency.  In fact, she actually read the first couple of pages of her Introduction for us yesterday.

It was all quite intriguing, and based on these few pages I am now eagerly anticipating the release of her book sometime next year.  A fruitful discussion ensued as Nicole was able to take on a few good questions in our short time frame.  In her book, she will be dealing with the phenomenon of despondency, and how that universal affliction relates to time...

 

Continue reading on Fr. Steven's Meditations blog...

 

Antiochian Village sees large troop from Christ the Savior-Holy Spirit

July 25, 2016

 

Dear Parish Faithful,
 
This is an awesome photo of what seems like a substantial part of our parish membership:  A large group of our young adults - not the "next generation" but the current generation - gathered together in a spirit of close friendship and fellowship at this summer's Antiochian Village camp. 

The Village, as it is called, has proven to be a real Godsend for countless Orthodox youth throughout the United States and Canada; a place where our youth can grow together in the Faith and in forging relationships that last for years into the future.  The Antiochian Archdiocese has done a remarkable job in building up the Village throughout the years.  With seventeen campers, this might be our largest group yet. I wonder how many other parishes have as many "happy campers" at the Village as we do?!
 
We would like to thank Dn. Paul Gansle for sharing this photo with us.
 
Fr. Steven

See a few more photos immediately below.


 

 

 

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