On Saturday night, during vespers for the patron saint of the church, every priest from the local Delaware Valley churches of the Metropolis of New Jersey participated in the service, presided over by His Eminence Metropolitan Apostolos of New Jersey. The Executive Officers of the Metropolis Council—Jim Polos, Vasili Kollias, and Georgios Comininos—were in attendance, along with 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 significance of Saint Thomas Sunday and the meaning of Antipascha, as he led the largest Antipascha celebration in the United States. After the service, a lamb dinner was held in the Saint Irene Philoptochos Hall.
During the service, Metropolitan Apostolos also paid a moving tribute to Saint Thomas Parish Council President Anastasios Efstratiades. With the assistance of the presiding priest, V. Rev. Augoustinos Psomas, Archon Anastasios was brought forward to the solea, where His Eminence awarded him the first-ever Metropolis of New Jersey Cross for Excellence in recognition of his exemplary dedication to the Metropolis.
He was joined by his wife, Maria Efstratiades, the Archons, Metropolis Council members, and Parish Council members on the solea for a heartfelt tribute to the honoree.
On Sunday, the church was filled beyond capacity with parishioners, visitors, dignitaries, and well-wishers. His Eminence was greeted by select youth from the Saint Thomas Greek Afternoon School, the largest such school in the Metropolis of New Jersey.
A most impactful service followed, which included the veneration of the lipsa—a fragment of bone of Saint Thomas the Apostle—brought out especially for the feast day. Bathed in sunlight from the church’s new dome windows and the opening of its grand front doors, the new additions to 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—drawing not only from the day’s Gospel reading but also from the imagery of the iconographic scene itself.
Metropolitan Apostolos also recognized the dedicated service of Rev. Father Flourin Salgau, who has served as an assistant to the presiding priests of the community for decades. Parishioners warmly expressed their joy over this recognition.
Following the service, a large dinner was held in the Danielle Kousoulis Hellenic Center Hall, which adjoins the church. The celebration concluded with an exciting performance by the Saint Thomas Greek Orthodox Church’s own Hellenic Heritage Dance Group, marking the final highlight of this year’s largest Antipascha celebration in the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America.