CHERRY HILL, NJ – [Photos: Parish of St. Thomas the Apostle]
The first Sunday after Easter, known as Antipascha or Saint Thomas Sunday, reflects the Apostle Thomas’s encounter with the risen Christ – a moment that speaks to human doubt and belief. The word “Antipascha”, meaning “in place of Pascha” marks the Gospel story of the 8th day and the beginning of the Church’s life in the light of the Resurrection. Saint Thomas Greek Orthodox Church in Cherry Hill, New Jersey enjoys a special and privileged role as the only parish in the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America dedicated to Saint Thomas and by extension has the largest celebration of Antipascha in the Americas.
On Saturday night vespers of the patron Saint of the church, each and every priest of the local Delaware Valley Churches of the Metropolis of New Jersey participated in the Hierarchical evening service presided over by His Eminence Metropolitan Apostolos of New Jersey. The Executive officers of the Metropolis Council – Jim Polos, Vasili Kollias and Georgios Comninos – were in attendance, as well as a strong representation of the Delaware Valley Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate led by Archon Regional Commander Dr. Cary Limberakis. Upon conclusion of the service, Metropolitan Apostolos delivered an impactful message on the importance of Saint Thomas Sunday and the meaning of Antipascha. Thereafter, a lamb dinner was held in the Saint Irene Philoptochos Hall.
During the service, Metropolitan Apostolos gave a moving tribute to the Saint Thomas Parish Council President Anastasios Efstratiades. With the assistance of the Saint Thomas Church presiding Priest V. Rev. Augoustinos Psomas, Archon Anastasios was brought forward to the solea where His Eminence bestowed the first ever Metropolis of New Jersey Cross for excellence for exemplary dedication to the Metropolis of New Jersey. He was joined by his wife, Maria Efstratiades, the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, Metropolis of New Jersey Council members and Saint Thomas Parish Council members on the solea for a heartfelt tribute to the honoree.
On Sunday, the church over swelled with parishioners, visitors, dignitaries and well-wishers. His Eminence was greeted by select youth of the Saint Thomas Greek afternoon school, the largest such school in the Metropolis of New Jersey. A most impactful service included the lipsana – a fragment of bone of Saint Thomas the Apostle, was brought out for the glorious feast day for parishioners to venerate. Bathed in sunlight from its new dome windows and the opening of its grand front doors, the new additions of the Saint Thomas church’s iconography project, glistened. His Eminence, pointing to the large Gospel scene panel of Saint Thomas above and to his right, delivered a remarkable message of faith, not only from the day’s Gospel, but from the imagery of the iconographic Gospel scene itself.
Metropolitan Apostolos also recognized the service of Rev. Father Flourin Salgau, a Priest that has dedicated himself as an assistant to the Presiding Priests of the community over decades. Parishioners expressed their heartfelt joy over the recognition. Thereafter, a large dinner was held in the Danielle Kousoulis Hellenic Center Hall which adjoins the church. A final tribute to this year’s largest Antipascha celebration was a performance by the Saint Thomas Greek Orthodox Church’s own Hellenic Heritage Dance Group.
