Unable to locate document 2005

Metropolitan Methodios Consecrates Holy Trinity Church in Lewiston, ME

His Eminence Metropolitan Methodios consecrated the Holy Trinity Parish in Lewiston, ME the weekend of May 22-23.  This significant milestone in the life of the Parish which was founded in 1910 and whose Pastor is the Rev. Fr. Ted Toppses, was a joyous occasion for all stewards and was shared by the visiting clergy who participated in the Vesper Service--- Fr. Theodore J. Barbas, the Chancellor of the Metropolis, Fr. Sotirios Alexopoulos, Fr. Charles Simones, and Fr. Demetrios Antonopoulos

The Consecration Service is the Baptism and Chrismation of a church.  It centers around the Holy Altar Table.  The Consecration Service begins on the Eve of the celebration with a short Prayer Service honoring the memory of Martyrs whose relics are deposited in the Holy Altar, in this case St. Panteleimon the Great Martyr and Healer, St. Kyrikos, and the Holy Fathers Martyred in Sinai at Raitho.   The Consecration of a church "changes" an ordinary building into the House of God. This change takes place through the Grace of God and the Holy Spirit.  Many symbolic actions take place such as:

1. The Three Processions around the Church Building.
2. The Placing of, and Sealing of, the Holy Relics in the Altar Table.
3. The Washing and Anointing of the Altar Table.
4. The Placing of the new Altar Coverings and other Holy Articles on the Holy Table.
5. The Lighting of the Vigil Light.