- a tS aa EE al haat Sl SR 22 a oN - EEE TERETE * WT LR or HF NE STIR NT LE RR IR LTR a a a y { ¢ A 3 a The Dallas Post Dallas, PA Wednesday, September 8, 1993 3 Local Orthodox church struggles for survival By GRACE R. DOVE Post Staff Nestled in a hillside on the Humtsville-Idetown Road just off Route 118, St. Andrew's Ortho- dox Church is easy to miss, un- less, you know what you're look- ing for. Only two signs indicate its ex- istence, one at the intersection of Routes 415and 118and the other at the parking lot's entrance. Begun in 1968, the modest building was completed in 1969 to serve the needs of a congrega- tion ¢f approximately 115 mem- bers, according to church council president Florence Brin. But construction problems due to the building's unique design, partially cut into a hillside, have been small obstacles to overcome compared to the challenge which the church now faces. Dwindling membership may force it to close late next year. St. Andrew’s congregation now numbers only about 25 members, one fourth of its original size, according to the Very Reverend Michael Lepa, the church’s pas- tor. Usually only 10 to 15 mem- bers attend the 9:30 a.m. Sunday Divine Liturgy, celebrated in English. A Scranton resident, Rev. Lepa assists at St. Tikhon’s Monastary in South Canaan, as well as serv- ing as St. Andrew's pastor. POST PHOTO/GRACE R. DOVE VENERATING THE.CROSS —- John Penman venerates the Cross ai the close of thegivine Liturgy.at St. Andrew’s Orthodox Church “Although we're the only East- ern Orthodox parish in the Back Mountain, there are several oth- ers in Wyoming Valley,” he said. “We can't steal members from them.” Back Mountain Orthodox be- lievers often would rather travel back to their original parishes in the valley than take the short drive out to St. Andrew's, Rev. Lepa said. Or they may not know that it's there. “It's very convenient. I live at Harveys Lake and it's just a short drive every Sunday,” Mrs. Brin said. She noted that St. Andrew's was founded to provide Back Mountain Orthodox believers with easy access to their faith. St. Andrew's is part of the Orthodox Church in America, headed by Metropolitan Thodo- sius and in eastern Pennsylvania by Bishop Herman, who lives at St. Tikhon's Monastary. Although some Orthodox (East- ern Rite) churches still celebrate the Divine Liturgy in Slavonic, an eastern European language simi- lar to Russian, St. Andrew's lit- urgy is in English, the parishion- ers’ native language, Rev. Lepa said. Unlike the Roman Catholic and Protestant churches, Eastern Rite churches have no statues. The walls are adorned with icons, ornate and beautiful paintings of Christ and other religious figures. “Under no circumstances do we worship icons,” Rev. Lepa said. “But we show extreme respect to those whom they depict.” No musical instruments accom- pany the choir and congregation in Eastern Rite churches, because Eastern Rite Christians believe that the human voice is the most appropriate instrument to use in worship, Rev. Lepa said. “Although we're small in num- ber, with a modest building, we certainly try tokeep our faith true,” Mrs. Brin said. She hopes that Orthodox fami- lies moving into the Back Moun- tain will realize that St. Andrew's POST PHOTO/GRACE R. DOVE KEEPING THE FAITH ALIVE - Nestled into a hillside on the Huntsville-ldetown Road, St. Andrew’s Orthodox Church is notice- able only by its traditional onion dome and Eastern-style cross. 8 fending Pennsylvania Athletic = N Christian : Dior ' N. 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Reference retail prices. 26 prs & ADDRESS TELEPHONE _( ) fe ee ee. sf ie ie ee a a se a Engagement Rings - Pendants - Men’s Rings - Anniversary & Wedding Rings - And much more! 141 South Main Street, Wilkes-Barre ® (717) 823-7111 Open Monday through Saturday 10 am - 5:15 pm Open Thursday nights until 8:45 pm Financing Available ® Plenty of Free Parking le = ee i a ad Earrings - Bracelets Divine Liturgy is observed every Sunday morning at 9:30 and on Christmas Day. is here and that it needs more members if it is to continue as a church. ’ POST PHOTO/GRACE R. DOVE HOLY COMMUNION - John Miskalis and his mother, Debbie, receive Holy Communion from the Very Reverend Michael Lepa during worship at St. Andrew’s Orthodox Church in Lehman. 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