Fishers, Indiana, October 19, 2026
Photo: antiochian.org
A parish founded a century ago by Middle Eastern immigrants celebrated its 100th anniversary last weekend with the consecration of its new church in Fishers, Indiana. The three-day celebration at St. George Church drew three bishops, along with clergy and laity from around North America.
Rector Archimandrite Anthony (Yazge) welcomed Their Graces Bishops Thomas, John, and Anthony to the celebration. They were joined by the Archdiocese’s three archiepiscopal vicars, Archimandrite Jeremy Davis, Archimandrite Paul (Matar), and Archimandrite Calinic (Berger), reports the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America.
The festivities began Friday, October 9, when Bishop John led a procession with relics of the Apostle James, the martyrs of St. Savvas Monastery in Jerusalem, and the 20,000 martyrs of Nicomedia. Great Vespers followed, and the faithful then venerated the relics.
Photo: antiochian.org
Saturday’s consecration Liturgy opened with the clergy walking around the outside of the church three times. Bishop Anthony described the walk as a boundary between the world and the faithful. Back at the doors, Bishop John knocked loudly and recited the verse from Psalm 24 about the gates being lifted, as is done on Pascha.
Inside, Bishop Anthony set the martyrs’ relics into the altar and sealed them with wax. The bishops and priests washed the altar with soap and water, and he anointed it with holy Chrism. He then anointed the icons on the walls and ceiling, reaching the high ones with a sponge attached to a pole. “I just thank God I was able to do the anointing,” he said in his sermon. Dr. George Kordis, a Greek Orthodox iconographer, and his team painted the church’s iconography.
Photo: antiochian.org
After the consecration, Bishop John ordained Dn. Andrew Neel to the priesthood. Fr. Andrew comes from St. Ananias the Apostle Church in Evansville, Indiana, and is in his third year at St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary.
A banquet that evening featured the church choir and a video about the parish’s hundred-year history. Fr. Anthony told guests, “God is calling us to plant the seed,” and said the parish is already working to start a sister church.
On Sunday, October 11, all three bishops concelebrated the Divine Liturgy. In his homily, Bishop John told the congregation, “This is a holy building. But your temple is more holy.”
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