Look toward heaven in All Saints and admire the new ceiling

SALISBURY — The All Saints of America Orthodox Christian Church in Twin Lakes has a new, high ceiling, thanks to contractor Dan Williams.

The work began in January. The small congregation used the Lakeville Grove for worship in the interim.

And although there remains some work to be done, and scaffolding is still in evidence, the church is back in business.

A recent visitor was surprised that the bulk of the service — called “Divine Liturgy� in this denomination — is sung or chanted.

The Rev. John Kreta said that is the norm. “We are a joyful people, and everything is sung.�

The liturgy also featured a fair bit of incense; the communion host is actual bread, not the wafers familiar to Roman Catholics and others.

“We use all our senses,â€� said Kreta.  

The congregation stands for most of the Liturgy, and the priest stands with his back to the congregation.

“The priest is the one chosen by the people to lead prayer,� Kreta said. “Christ is the focus, not the priest. It is all part of the movement toward the kingdom of God.�

The building was originally built in the 1930s as a Catholic chapel for the use of holiday visitors at Twin Lakes. The Orthodox Church bought it in 1994.

To create the open space, a flat ceiling about 15 feet up had to be removed, and the trusses of the roof rebuilt.

There are still some finishing touches to be made; parishioners were asked to vote on different options for the trim after the Liturgy.

And there will be icons added, in the Orthdox tradition.

Interestingly, the original stained glass windows — with Roman Catholic symbols — will remain for now.

Vespers are Saturday at 5 p.m.; Divine Liturgy Sundays at 10 a.m. All Saints of America Orthodox Christian Church is located at 313 Twin Lakes Road, the telephone is 860-824-1340.

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