Glory to Jesus Christ!

I’m writing this for anyone who has stumbled across this page with interest in becoming Orthodox, or any others who are cradle Orthodox with absence from the Body of Christ like myself. My faith background was limited for some time and I never fully grew up within the faith. I come from a long line of Orthodox Christians going back to Russia. Some of which helped founded Saint Nicholas Orthodox Church in Norwich, CT, in 1914. Over the years there were some things that drew my family and myself included away from the parish life, and subsequently I didn’t grow up with much faith influence. As a high school freshman I had a heritage project for a World History Class which brought me to my Eastern European roots, mostly Polish, Russian, and Czech. As a sophomore in high school, my great grandmother, +Tana fell asleep to be with the Lord. This was the first most memorable time in church that started me on a more spiritually driven path. I had interest in other religions as well, and I was in more or less an agnostic for a long time. I had strong Orthodox beliefs, but I wasn’t ready to take the full leap into the church.

During this time, however I remember Pascha becoming more and more special each year. My grandmother would teach me the correct pronunciation of “Christ is Risen” in Slavonic each year, and we both always rejoiced so greatly over it together. In February, 2019, my grandfather +Tom Shakun fell asleep to be with the Lord and again left a profound impression on me. During that evening of his passing, my grandfather had told my uncle (Father Steven Voytovich). “It’s okay. I’ve seen the angel.”

I wasn’t present in the room for this and found this out later. Not knowing what else to do at that time of coping with my grandfather passing, I was in the family room meditating, trying to bring myself clarity and I saw the angel come down and touch my grandfather. I know we’re cautioned in the Orthodox Faith about visions, however I truly believe this angel did come down to guide Grandfather Tom to the Lord’s Almighty Kingdom. My grandfather had also been a faithful parishioner at Holy Trinity Orthodox Church in Willimantic during the last four years of his earthly life. I had attended a few services since then, and a few Divine Liturgies and Vespers Services, but my commitment was still lacking. During this agnostic period however, I met much evil face to face, seeing true demons, going places that don’t exist and feeling some very torturing things.

Then in 2021 my grandmother, + Dorothy Shakun, also reposed in the Lord. Having had a very personal connection with her, I found myself mourning her death. What brought me comfort was the beautiful Funeral Service of the Orthodox Church. I had attended services with the Metropolitan Tikhon visiting my uncle’s parish Holy Transfiguration in New Haven, to celebrate Father Steven’s 30th anniversary of his ordination to the Holy Priesthood. I remember standing there looking at the beautiful iconography and hearing the sermon on humility offered by then Deacon Mark Rossien, and it was at that time that I believed strongly, “This is where I belong”. There was nothing, not one other belief in me proclaimed at that time except for Jesus Christ is the Lord and Savior. Since then, then I have started Holy Trinity in Willimantic where I’ve grown in faith, grown in myself as a man. I’ve began serving in the altar, being a scheduled Reader, and learning the ways of the church. From the outside I’ve turned in how I act, and even how I dress, since coming into the faith: from casual to a striving gentleman.

The path can be difficult at times, but is far more rewarding and beautiful than anything worldly. We live in an ever-changing society where we as Christians are considered counter cultural due to our traditional values and teachings. The church is where I feel the most acceptance and love, because we are the Body of Christ.

I am beyond blessed to have a loving and supporting community at Holy Trinity that continues to thrive and grow.

- by Zachary Novosad
May 27, 2023

Praise God for bringing me to the Orthodox faith and to Holy Trinity Orthodox Church! It is a miracle that I ended up here after well over a decade of seeking for Truth in all the wrong places. After years of new age, and even pagan practices, the Lord pulled me out of the deception and I began to see Jesus for who he truly is: The Way, The Truth, and The Life. As I continued down this path, my studies led me to inquire about Orthodoxy, something I knew virtually nothing about. I wanted to learn more, check it out for myself, and I discovered that Holy Trinity was located the town over. Glory to God!

I will never forget the first time I walked into Holy Trinity, experiencing my first Divine Liturgy and having no clue what to expect or what was happening. The incense, the icons, the chanting, the detail, the beauty. It felt so ancient, like I was traveling back in time. Liturgy was so incredibly different from the Methodist, or Non-Denominational protestant services I had been attending.

Father Marc and the entire parish community were unbelievably welcoming, charitable, and sincere. That first day Fr. Marc stayed after with me for almost an hour answering my dozens of questions, educating me on faith, and that day I walked out of the parish intrigued and fascinated. I knew that I had just stumbled down a new rabbit hole that I was going to have to process and pray through.

As time went on and I continued attending liturgy, wrestling with my Christian faith, the Lord made it very clear to me that it was time for me to enter his One True Holy Church. I can't express into words how grateful I am for this. This journey has been such a deeply enriching time in my spiritual and personal life. Holy Trinity Orthodox Church is a beautiful and blessed parish with a wonderful community, and I pray that God continues to move there. I wholeheartedly believe that over the next few years more and more young adults will discover Holy Orthodoxy, and I can't recommend Holy Trinity Church enough for doing so.

Thank you to all my fellow parishioners, and to Fr. Marc for guiding me through the process. Glory to God!

Rebecca Berner

Rebecca first visited Holy Trinity in December, 2021; she has been faithful since then. Ms. Berner was subsequently received into the Orthodox Church through the Sacrament of Holy Chrismation on April 9, 2023, on the Feast of Our Lord's Entry Into Jerusalem / Palm Sunday.