Dedication of the Church

Monday, June 12

Dedication of the Church

SOLEMNITY

The Anniversary of the Dedication of a Church is celebrated as a solemnity in every particular church. Our Parish Church of Ss. Cyril and Methodius was dedicated on June 11, 1989, long 34 years ago and we are grateful for this beautiful place, dear to many people.

The term temple, in the most profound sense of the word, designates the human nature of the incarnated second person of the Holy Trinity. This temple is not built by human hands and the usefulness of divinity dwells in him. All Christians have access to this temple and can participate in its life. Therefore, the brick and steel construction is always more than just a locality for gatherings of the Christian community. The physical construction helps us to understand the profound truth that all faithful, as members of the mystical body, belong to the head. Being members of the Body of Christ, who is the true temple, the faithful, as the living stones, build the Church.

The faithful gather in a visible temple built from physical stones. This temple is an expression of the invisible temple and the invisible Lord present in his Church. His elevated human nature is the source of sanctification and salvation, which reach us in a visible way through liturgical celebrations.


The liturgy of the dedication of the Church includes several rites: the blessing of the baptismal font and renewal of baptismal promises, the blessing of the ambo, anointing of the altar and the walls of the church marked by twelve crosses with candles. Holy chrism is used for this anointing. These twelve candles are lit on the anniversary of the dedication every year.

The Anniversary of the Dedication of the Parish Church of Ss. Cyril & Methodius takes place on June 11 each year. Since the Universal Church celebrates the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ on Sunday, June 11, the Dedication of our Parish Church will be celebrated on Monday, June 12. Please join us in celebrating this special Solemnity at the 9.00AM and 12.00PM Holy Masses.

Historical Video of the Dedication of Ss. Cyril and Methodius Slovak Catholic Church