Bishop Matthias visits St. Nicholas Church, Joliet, IL, installs new pastorJOLIET, IL [MW Diocese Communications] — His Grace, Bishop Matthias, made his first archpastoral visit to Saint Nicholas Church here on Saturday and Sunday, December 17-18, 2011. Photos here.
His Grace was greeted at the rectory by the young children of the parish, the altar boys, and a cross bearer. The children threw rose petals on the pavement as Bishop Matthias processed to the church.
Bishop Matthias was greeted in the traditional manner with bread and salt by Arthur Cook, a former parish council president, while Alena Grabavoy presented him with a bouquet of roses. Priest Andrew Bartek offered the hand cross to Bishop Matthias as he welcomed him to the parish.
The parish choir sang under the direction of Kathy Hanneman, who was assisted by Steve Platko, who also serves as the current parish council president.
During Great Vespers on Saturday evening, December 17, Bishop Matthias tonsured David Hanneman to the order of Reader. During Sunday’s Divine Liturgy, he elevated Reader David to the order of Subdeacon.
At the conclusion of Divine Liturgy, Bishop Matthias officially installed Father Andrew as rector of the parish.
At the social that followed the Divine Liturgy, the children of the parish sang a song welcoming His Grace to the parish. The social concluded with a Christmas sing-a-long.
