All Holy Spirit, with its amazing gold dome and Justinian Cross that can be seen for miles, Opened the Doors of our new church at 193rd & Harney streets in Omaha on April 7th with over 175 people in attendance. The “Opening of the Doors service” is the third major milestone in a series of Orthodox traditions that blessed elements of our new church which included the raising of the dome and then the raising of the cross. Construction is now complete and our congregation of 100 families is finally able to enjoy a worship space of our own.
His Grace Bishop Constantine of Sassima, (now His Eminence Metropolitan Constantine) of the Holy Metropolis of Denver, lead the parish in the Opening of the Doors Service.
This momentous and emotional day started with Orthros in the Community Engagement Venue on the west side of the courtyard. At the close of Orthros, the congregation processed across the courtyard, lead by the acolytes, His Grace Bishop Constantine and Father Alexander, to the Exo-Narthex outside the impressive, closed wood carved doors. His Grace then led the congregation in prayer, asking God to bless all the people and the new church building. His Grace then sprinkled the exterior of the church, the wood carved doors and those present with Holy Water. His Grace then proceeded to open the doors, leading the congregation inside to celebrate the Divine Liturgy in the new church.
This service symbolizes the completion of construction and represents the official recognition from the Archdiocese that the new church is now “open” and fully celebrating the Divine Liturgy. At the completion of the Divine Liturgy everyone returned to the Community Engagement Venue for a celebratory luncheon.
Thank you to All Holy Spirit Parishioner and Cinematographer James Kriha of Kriha Films for filming and producing this film.
