Middletown, New York, October 24, 2025
Photo: sfdumitru.org
On Sunday, October 19, a significant spiritual milestone was celebrated at St. Dumitru Romanian Orthodox Monastery in New York as the new iconography and guest house were consecrated during the monastery’s fall feast day in honor of its patron saint, St. Demetrios the New.
The event welcomed several distinguished guests, including His Eminence Metropolitan Nicolae and Archimandrite Melchisedec Velnic, Abbot of Putna Monastery in Romania, the monastery reports.
Abbot Jeremiah (Berbec) of St. Dumitru Monastery was himself previously a monk at Putna.
The feast day began on Saturday evening with the celebration of Hierarchical Great Vespers, after which His Eminence blessed the newly remodeled Holy Hierarch Jacob of Putna Guest House, which was acquired and refurbished earlier in the year to better accommodate pilgrims and special guests.
St. Jacob Guest House. Photo: sfdumitru.org
Sunday morning saw a gathering of clergy and faithful for the Divine Liturgy, led by Met. Nicolae. The morning’s service included the consecration of the new iconography in the monastery’s church cupola, which features vibrant frescoes of the Pantokrator, the Heavenly Hosts, and the Holy Prophets.
The iconography project, which was completed this past summer, was led by Protosyngellos Pavel (Niga) from Putna Monastery.
“The blessing of the iconography inside the church represents the crowning of 15 years of efforts by the faithful, during which the church was constructed, the house for the monks was purchased, and the guest house for pilgrims was remodeled. We express our thanks towards all who labored and who contributed to the edification and adornment of this settlement,” the monastery writes.
Photo: sfdumitru.org
After the consecration, Met. Nicolae celebrated the Liturgy with a synaxis of six priests and three deacons, followed by a memorial service for the departed. In his homily, he recalled several miracles attributed to St. Demetrios the New, including his role in resolving family conflicts and healing chronic illnesses.
“Many times, we Christians seek bodily healing from cancer or other afflictions, but we all too often forget about the mystical workings of grace, by which God acts in our lives through these hidden miracles of the saints,” His Eminence said. “And most important is being made straight, set on the correct path.”
During the service, Abbot Jeremiah was elevated to the rank of archimandrite, marking a significant milestone in his five-year leadership.
The day ended with a festive agape meal, where those in attendance shared in the joy of the occasion, surrounded by God’s blessings and the love of the monastic community.
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