DEEPEST SYMPATHY is expressed to Matushka Tamara Skvir and her children and grandchildren on the falling asleep in the Lord of her beloved husband and their father and grandfather, and our brother priest, + The Mitred Archpriest Daniel Skvir, who fell asleep in the Lord on Sunday evening, March 23, at their home in Pennington, New Jersey, after a courageous battle with cancer.

Young adults ages 18 to 35 are invited to gather for a weekend of faith, fellowship, and fun at the 2025 Orthodox Christian Young Adult Retreat, hosted at the beautiful lakefront setting of St. Andrew’s Camp & Retreat Center in Jewell, New York. Whether you’re a lifelong Orthodox Christian, a catechumen, or someone exploring the Orthodox faith, this retreat offers an opportunity to deepen your spiritual life, connect with peers from across the region, and enjoy God’s creation through outdoor activities.

The clergy and faithful of the OCA Diocese of NY & NJ, New Jersey Deanery invite you to join us for a Lenten Mission Service on the Sunday of the Cross.

This issue of KOINONIA, Volume 7, Issue 2 (March 17, 2025), centers on the theme of miracles and their transformative power in the lives of believers. The feature article, "Miracles Finding You" by Archpriest Eric G. Tosi, sets the tone by exploring how the miraculous works of Jesus are not only divine gifts meant to heal but also signs of His ongoing presence in our lives. The issue features deeply personal narratives—from one man’s dramatic recovery from a debilitating illness to another individual’s quest for purpose—that illustrate how encounters with the miraculous serve as catalysts for spiritual rebirth and conversion to the Orthodox Church. These stories remind readers that miracles are not confined to biblical times but continue to shape lives today, offering hope and a renewed sense of purpose. ​

In addition to these inspiring testimonies, the newsletter reports on the Diocese’s third Annual Evangelism School. This event brought together clergy and laity from across the Diocese to engage in intensive sessions on parish revitalization and evangelism. The discussions and workshops addressed practical challenges facing legacy parishes, providing participants with strategies to renew and invigorate their communities. Overall, this issue of KOINONIA not only celebrates the tangible manifestations of divine grace in everyday life but also serves as a call to action for building vibrant, responsive church communities in today’s dynamic social climate.

Hannah Holowach, a parishioner of St. Basil’s Orthodox Church in Watervliet, NY, has been honored with the Midshipman Commendation Award from the U.S. Navy ROTC at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI). This prestigious award recognizes her outstanding efforts as a member of the Academics Division.

[Wayne, NJ] - Twenty-one priests, 21 singers and more than 160 faithful joined His Eminence, Archbishop MICHAEL for the celebration of Sunday of Orthodoxy Vespers at Holy Resurrection Church in Wayne, NJ on March 9, 2025. The celebration began with a procession of the clergy and servers from the parish center to the church.

This newsletter, titled KOINONIA (Volume 7, Issue 1, March 10, 2025), is a diocesan publication from the Diocese of New York and New Jersey produced by the Commission on Missions and Evangelism. It opens with a powerful biblical passage from Ezekiel 37, using the imagery of dry bones and resurrection to set the tone for its exploration of church renewal. The newsletter brings together theological reflection and practical insights, addressing the challenges modern Orthodox parishes face in an evolving social climate while reaffirming the timeless message of the Gospel.

On the first Sunday of Great Lent, St. Basil's Orthodox Church in Watervliet, NY celebrated a pan‑Orthodox vespers service with a procession and the rite of Orthodoxy. Serving were Archpriest Peter Olsen, the rector of St. Basil's Church; Protopresbyter Emmanuel Mantzouris (Greek Archdiocese); Priestmonk Christopher Savage, Prior (New Skete Monastery, OCA); Presbyter Gregory Potter (Antiochian Archdiocese); Presbyter Neofitos Sargiannis (Greek Archdiocese); Presbyter John Vazquez (Antiochian Archdiocese); and Deacon Jason Gagnon of St. Basil's Church in Watervliet.

By God’s grace and the fervent prayers of many, Matushka Mary Shafran reached the incredible milestone of her 100th birthday on March 3rd. The celebration began the day before with a heartfelt visit from her niece and two great-grandchildren, and it continued on her birthday with Father Paul, daughters Nina and Paula, and son-in-law Ludwig.

Building upon the remarkable success of our 2024 Distinguished Diocesan Benefactors (DDB) Campaign, which raised an incredible $252,167—121% of our goal, we are excited to launch the 2025 DDB Campaign!