Anglican Shrine of Saint Nicholas
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St Luke's Episcopal Church,Germantown, Philadelphia, dedicated a new Shrine of St Nicholas of Myra and Bari, on Pentecost Sunday, May 31, 2009. The Most Rev'd Frank T. Griswold, 25th Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church, led the dedication following Pentecost High Mass.
The sanctuary party, joined by children, processed to the shrine as a St. Nicholas hymn was sung. The dedicatory prayer:
Holy Spirit of God, enliven us as your people,
that, following the example
and aided by the prayers of Saint Nicholas of Myra,
we may show love and compassion for those on the margins of life.
May the prayers for children, seafarers, and those in need, offered here,
be an incentive for Christians to work for the good of all people.
May this shrine be blessed and hallowed,
in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
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The shrine is in the care of the St. Nicholas Guild whose members were inducted as part of the ceremony. The guild women will care for the shrine, receiving intentions and prayer requests. The guild will also support children around the world in prayer and practical ways, as possible. On the Feast of St. Nicholas, he is met at the door, incensed and sprinkled with holy water before joining the Mass procession. After Mass, he distributes gifts to all of the children who are members of the church as well as those from the immediate community.
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The Anglican Shrine of Saint Nicholas is a cooperative project of St. Luke's Episcopal Church, Germantown, Philadelphia, and the St. Nicholas Society UK/USA.
Photos: C Myers, St Nicholas Center & the Parish of St. Lukes, Germantown, Philadelphia