By Giovanni di Napoli
Sunday morning (Oct. 4th), I took a subway ride to Most Precious Blood Church (113 Baxter Street) in Manhattan's Historic Little Italy to attend the 112th Annual Feast of Saints Cosma and Damiano, patrons of San Cosmo Albanese in Calabria. This year, returning to their roots, organizers decided to forgo the annual Latin rite Mass and celebrate their patronal feast with the Italo-Greek Albanian Divine Liturgy of their forefathers.
Excited about the new experience, as a Latin Catholic I was a little unsure if attending the Eastern Catholic Liturgy would fulfill my Sunday Mass obligation; happily, I learned that it did.
During his sermon, Rev. Economos Romanos V. Russo spoke glowingly about the Arbëreshë people, who are the descendants of Christian Albanians who fled Ottoman oppression and settled in southern Italy, especially in the regions of Apulia, Basilicata, Calabria and Sicily. He also gave prominence to the heroic George Kastrioti, the great 15th century warrior-prince popularly known as Skanderbeg, who served as a Christian bulwark against the invading Ottoman Turks. It was sobering when we were reminded that Christian persecution still exists today to an appalling extent.
Father Romanos explained proper Church etiquette beforehand, and to the best of my ability I respected these rites and rituals; standing throughout the Divine Liturgy (there is no kneeling) and crossing myself right to left with my thumb, index and middle finger brought to a point. Holy Communion was received with arms crossed over the chest, and the Host (leavened bread) is dipped (Instinction) into consecrated wine and placed on the communicants’ tongues.
After Mass, we had the opportunity to venerate the Cross and several beautiful Russian icons, as well as the statues of Saints Cosma and Damiano. It was an exceptionally rewarding experience; I hope our friends from the Saints Cosma and Damiano Society decide to keep this tradition.
Naturally, we were warmly welcomed and invited to partake in the joyful festivities downstairs, in the church auditorium. Guests enjoyed amusing games of chance (raffle and 50/50) and were treated to a wonderful lunch buffet, complete with delicious sandwiches, wraps and variety of salads, as well as coffee and dessert.
I want to thank all the members of the Saints Cosma e Damiano Society for their hard work and dedication. Heartfelt thanks to our friends George and Damiano, as well as our new friends Rosemary and Frank, for their warmth and hospitality. Cheers to our dear friend and cohort Cav. Patrick O’Boyle, who represented the Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George. Special thanks to Father Romanos, Subdeacon Alexei Woltornist and Anthony Russo for serving the Liturgy. It truly was an honor to be a part of this special day and I look forward to celebrating with you again next year. Evviva i Santi Medici!
