Trudy R. Ellmore, Secretary of the Diocesan Council

When His Eminence, Archbishop Michael was consecrated May 8, 2010, he “announced that with the gifts he [was] receiving…; he [was] creating a fund to supplement the priests’ salaries.” He explained that there were some very important ministries that needed provisioning for the benefit of the faithful. By faithful, he meant everyone: our youth, our adults, our clergy, our seminarians, our parish leaders, choir members, church school teachers and potential new members. The day “…was not about him, but about the church.”¹ On that day the Distinguished Diocesan Benefactors (DDB) Fund was begun, and those statements continue to hold true.

For the past fifteen (15) years, among the DDB’s largest donors, and often the first one to roll up his sleeves and grab a paint brush, has been His Eminence, Archbishop Michael, continuing the generosity of his consecration day. Over 330 unique donors have partnered with him on an annual basis to donate to the fund; some one-time donors, others multi-year donors. Foundations, businesses and corporations, parish organizations, parishes and individuals make up the list of donors. In 2025 the DDB received $289,447 in financial gifts.

Along with donations that are not restricted, donors are invited to give towards a particular purpose: parish revitalization, seminarian scholarships, and mission establishment. Additionally, special purposes like Hurricane Ida Relief, Ukraine Relief, the St. Tikhon’s Monk’s House, the Alaska Initiative (OCA Diocese of Sitka and Alaska), St. Andrew’s Camp and St. Olympia’s Flood Relief Fund have benefited from generous Diocesan members.

Those men in the Diocese who are called to the priesthood receive full tuition support when they commit to serving the Diocese upon graduation and ordination. In 2025, scholarships were awarded to five (5) Seminary graduates. In 2026, the DDB is assisting five (5) seminarians, as well as students in our New Jersey Deanery diaconal formation program.

Through special “Operation” programs, some parishes have received funds for revitalization. During the summer of 2011, the first “Operation: Buffalo” was launched to do a major project of the parish complex at Saints Peter and Paul Orthodox Church. In 2019, “Operation: Pearl River” at the Church of the Holy Transfiguration in Pearl River, New York, accomplished the painting and cleaning of the temple. In 2013, “Operation: Princeton” helped to establish a new place of worship for the Church of the Mother of God, Joy of All Who Sorrow.² In 2025, “Operation: Spring Valley” enabled St. John the Baptist Orthodox Church to renovate the rectory for the next parish priest and family. This year the DDB is sponsoring “Operation: Buffalo 2026”, at SS. Peter and Paul Orthodox Church, to assist the community in repairing the north tower of the temple. These are just a few of the many parishes that have received financial support in the form of a gift or loan to help in a crisis.

Mission parish grants have been awarded to, among others:

• Holy Apostles Mission, Lansing, NY

• St. Innocent of Alaska Mission, Oneonta, NY

• St. Olympia Mission, Potsdam, NY

• St. Olga of Alaska Mission, Plattsburgh, NY

• St. John the Soldier Mission Station, Watertown, NY

Have you attended one of the many retreats or educational seminars offered by the OCA Diocese of New York and New Jersey like the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd church school program, Altar Servers’ Retreat, Mountain Men’s Respite and Parish Council Conferences? All of these and more are funded by donations to the DDB.

Youth programs such as the annual Lenten Teen Retreat, Girls’ Retreat, Orthodox Youth Day, and Fall Teen Retreat are possible because of donations to the DDB.

What follows is a list of the total number of 2025 Distinguished Diocesan Benefactors by category:

Seraphim ($5,000 & above)..................................10 donors
Cherubim ($2,500 to $4,999)................................13 donors
Virtues ($1,000 to $2,499)....................................55 donors
Powers ($500 to $999).........................................61 donors
Principalities ($250 to $499)................................47 donors
Archangels ($100 to $249) ................................100 donors
Angels (up to $99) ..............................................32 donors

As you can see, gifts of all sizes are welcomed. We hope you will consider a gift of $100, $200, $500, or more to the DDB. Send your check made payable to: Distinguished Diocesan Benefactors. Mail it to: Diocese of New York and New Jersey, 33 Hewitt Avenue, Bronxville NY 10708 and include the form below.

¹ Consecration of Bishop Michael: An Outpouring of the Holy Spirit.

² Operation Princeton” – Building a New Orthodox Church in Princeton NJ.