With the start of the new year, Orthodox Journeys are pleased to launch our latest resource: “The Power of a Word,” a 12-page resource for middle school, high school, and college aged youth dealing with the realities of civil unrest.

[East Meadow, NY] - On January 5-6, in celebration of the Feast of the Theophany of Christ, His Eminence, Archbishop Michael, led the festal services at Holy Trinity in East Meadow. Following the Divine Liturgy on Tuesday, clergy and faithful gathered at the Great South Bay, where Archbishop Michael led the traditional prayers and blessed the waters, asking God’s grace upon all creation and our local community.

The blessing of the Bay served as a visible reminder that Christ’s baptism sanctifies not only the Jordan, but the whole world — including the places where we live and work each day. We are grateful to Archbishop Michael for his pastoral presence and to all who joined in this meaningful celebration of Theophany.

[Brooklyn, NY] - On January 6–7, in celebration of the Nativity of Christ (Julian Calendar), Archbishop Michael led the festal services at Transfiguration Cathedral in Brooklyn.

On the evening of January 6, His Eminence presided at the All-Night Vigil, concelebrated by the cathedral’s rector, Archpriest Wiaczeslaw Krawczuk, together with Archpriest Alxey Karlgut, Archpriest Vasyl Yurina, Archpriest Daniel Degyansky, and Protodeacon Paul Sokol. Subdeacon Mark Federoff and Subdeacon Andrew Karlgut assisted the bishop, along with the cathedral’s altar servers.

The Diocese of New York and New Jersey invites women and teen girls to participate in the 2026 Women and Teen Girls Retreat, titled STEADFAST—a weekend dedicated to growing in strength and faith through prayer, fellowship, and reflection.

This retreat will center on the life and witness of St. Olympia the Deaconess, offering an opportunity to reflect on steadfast faith, courage, and service within the life of the Church.

Dates: February 6–8, 2026
Location: Camp Shiloh
753 Burnt Meadow Rd., Hewitt, NJ

There is no fee to attend.

Registration is required and must be completed by February 2, 2026:
👉 https://form.jotform.com/260085067168157

For questions, please contact: admin@nynjocayouth.org

Orthodox Youth Ministries’ January Ministry Reflection invites readers to reflect on the formation of a “household of saints,” emphasizing that faith is most often nurtured through daily life, family witness, and intergenerational example, as seen in the life of St. Basil the Great. The reflection also announces the upcoming launch of What’s Your Ministry?, a new online resource hub offering free tools for parents, clergy, and ministry leaders. In observance of Human Trafficking Awareness Month, the newsletter highlights an Orthodox response to human trafficking, showing how pastoral care, in collaboration with professional efforts, can help restore dignity, bring healing, and offer hope through the compassionate love of Christ present in the Church. Read the full newsletter here: https://myemail.constantcontact.com/OYM-January-2026-Newsletter.html

Beloved in Christ,

With sincere gratitude to God and heartfelt appreciation for your generosity, I wish to thank all who participated as Distinguished Diocesan Benefactors in 2025.

As of December 31, 2025, through your faithful stewardship and sacrificial giving, our Diocese received $269,946.00, reaching 115% of our goal. This remarkable outcome is a powerful witness to your love for the Church and your commitment to her life and mission.

Your generosity strengthens our parishes, supports the education of seminarians, sustains youth and educational ministries, and enables the Diocese to continue its pastoral, missionary, and administrative work in service to the Gospel. Exceeding this year’s goal is not merely a financial accomplishment, but an expression of faith in action, offered freely for the good of the Church.

I offer my sincere thanks to each of you who gave, prayed, and supported this vital work. May the Lord reward your generosity abundantly and grant you and your families His continued blessings.

The 2025 Distinguished Diocesan Benefactors Honor Roll may be viewed at: https://nynjoca.org/2025_ddb.

With gratitude and prayers,

Archbishop of New York and the
Diocese of New York and New Jersey

The St. Tikhon’s Music Program invites choir directors, conductors, and church musicians to a Winter Conducting Retreat, held February 6–8, 2026, at St. Tikhon’s Orthodox Theological Seminary and St. Tikhon’s Monastery in Waymart, PA.

This retreat will be led by Fr. Caleb Lewis, Director of Music for St. Tikhon’s Monastery and Seminary, and is open to conductors of all levels—from those newly discerning leadership roles to experienced directors seeking refinement and renewal.

Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

 I have not communicated with you for the past three years because I have been deeply immersed in doctoral church research with a singular focus on identifying how to help parishes thrive and not merely survive.

I emerge from that research with a clear conclusion: Your parish’s root cause challenges are solvable.

St. Andrew’s Camp invites children, teens, and families from across the Diocese to take part in its Summer 2026 camping season, offering a unique Orthodox Christian environment centered on worship, fellowship, and growth in faith.

Located in Cleveland, New York, St. Andrew’s Camp provides a balanced experience of prayer, community life, outdoor adventure, and creative activities, all rooted in the life of the Church. Campers participate in daily worship while enjoying age-appropriate programs designed to strengthen friendships, encourage forgiveness and mutual care, and help young people live their Orthodox faith in the contemporary world.

[Trenton, NJ] - On Sunday, December 28, 2025, Father Paul Shafran, Pastor Emeritus (retired) at St. Vladimir Church in Trenton, NJ, reached his 78th anniversary of ordination to the Holy Priesthood. By God's grace, he was able to concelebrate the Divine Liturgy together with Father Volodymyr Chaikivskyi, Rector of the parish. After the conclusion of the service, Father Volodymyr warmly congratulated Father Paul, who recounted the record-setting winter storm that day in 1947 in New York City, and the severe winter weather that followed him and +Matushka Mary to his first parish assignment in rural Ohio, where they endured harsh conditions. We join the parishioners of St. Vladimir Church in expressing our heartfelt congratulations and gratitude to Father Paul for his long and faithful service to the Church. Mnogaya L'yeta!