The OCA Diocese of New York and New Jersey’s Department of Youth Ministry invites all teens and young adults to a Lenten Retreat Weekend full of faith, fellowship, and fun! This retreat is open to all dioceses and jurisdictions and is completely free to attend!

The Diocese of New York and New Jersey invites all women to the 2025 Lenten Women’s Retreat, taking place from Friday, March 28, to Sunday, March 30, 2025, at St. Andrew’s Camp and Retreat Center. This weekend promises an enriching spiritual experience, offering prayer, reflection, and fellowship in preparation for Holy Pascha.

The OCA Diocese of NY & NJ Department of Youth Ministry is thrilled to announce an inspiring retreat, Walking with the Saints: A Retreat for Orthodox Teens and Women. This event is open to all girls and women, free of charge, and will take place on Saturday, February 15, from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM, at Holy Trinity Orthodox Church, 369 Green Ave, East Meadow, NY 11554.

The Diocese of New York and New Jersey is excited to announce the Level 1 Catechist Formation Course: Part A for Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS), scheduled for June 9th-13th, 2025, at St. Tikhon’s Seminary. This transformative program offers a unique opportunity for adults to deepen their spiritual lives and enrich their ability to guide children in forming a profound relationship with God.

Join us for a day of reflection and learning at the Orthodox Church of the Holy Cross in Medford, NJ, as we explore the significance of theology and its relationship to prayer, study, and daily life.

From October 4-6, the Fall Teen Retreat at Frost Valley YMCA in Claryville, NY, was a grace-filled and Christ-centered weekend. Thirteen teens from across the Diocese as well as other Diocese and Orthodox jurisdictions gathered together to experience fellowship, worship, and spiritual growth amidst the stunning beauty of the fall season.

Middle School and High School students are invited to a Fall Teen Retreat sponsored by the OCA Diocese of New York and New Jersey at Frost Valley YMCA in Claryville, NY, from October 4-6th.

The "Mish Mash Week" at Saint Andrew's Camp was a wonderfully blessed time with inventive, interactive religious education and fun activities like kayaking, archery, crafts, swimming, and sports. In the evenings, there were special activities like a Mission Impossible game, a campfire with a rousing sing-along, Camp Clue, and Q&A with Archbishop Michael. The week ended with SAC's Got Talent, a talent show featuring a plethora of different talents from campers and staff, ranging from instrumental performances to unicycle tricks! The campers also performed a song about the Archangel Michael from "Heaven on Earth: A Musical Catechesis for Children" by Fr. Paul (Stetsenko), which they practiced throughout the week. In addition to all this, the campers had a field trip to The MOST (Museum of Science and Technology) in Syracuse and participated in the liturgical life of the Church with twice daily services.

The Lenten Teen Retreat at Frost Valley YMCA unfolded against a backdrop of natural beauty and wintery surprises. Nestled in the serene Catskill Mountains, this retreat provided a sanctuary for 29 participants, including 16 enthusiastic teens and dedicated chaperones. As raindrops and snowflakes danced together, hearts warmed, and souls were nourished.

[SHIRLEY, NY] - Over the weekend of March 8-9, St. John the Theologian Orthodox Church in Shirley, Long Island, hosted a first-ever Men's Retreat with retreat speaker Archpriest Michael Butler of Holy Transfiguration parish in Livonia, MI. The event attracted 30 men from two parishes (St. John's and her sister parish of Holy Trinity in East Meadow, Long Island) and was the precursor to the formation of a men's group at the parish.

Orthodox Youth Retreat at Frost Valley YMCA
Join us for an enlightening and engaging Orthodox Youth Retreat at the scenic Frost Valley YMCA from April 12-14. This retreat is a unique opportunity to explore and discuss contemporary issues that matter to you.

Theme: Contemporary Issues - Gender, Sexuality, and Relationships
In today’s rapidly evolving world, young adults face a myriad of challenges and questions, particularly around topics like gender, sexuality, and relationships. This retreat provides a safe and open environment to discuss these important issues from an Orthodox perspective.

Guest Speaker: Rev. Dn. Dr. Sampson Ryan Nash
We are honored to have Rev. Dn. Dr. Sampson Ryan Nash, a premier ethicist in the country, as our guest speaker. Dr. Nash is an Associate Professor of Medicine and the Director of The Ohio State University Center for Bioethics and Medical Humanities. His scholarship focuses on practical, procedural, and policy issues related to Medicine, Clinical Bioethics, and Palliative Medicine. He also explores ethics foundations at the nexus of medicine, ethics, theology, religion, and culture.

Ask the Hard Questions
This is your chance to ask the hard questions you face in today’s world. Dr. Nash will be there to provide guidance and insights based on his extensive experience and knowledge.

Don’t miss this opportunity to deepen your understanding, strengthen your faith, and engage in meaningful discussions with your peers. We look forward to seeing you there!

Join us for a transformative weekend of joy, prayer, and camaraderie at the Lenten Teen Retreat, sponsored by the OCA Diocese of New York and New Jersey’s Department of Youth Ministry.

Come and experience a temple made without hands amidst the tranquil mountains of upstate New York. Located in the remote town of Inlet, the Moose River Plains hosts over 100 primitive campsites with 79,487 acres to include countless ponds and streams. Be prepared to get enveloped in the beauty of God’s creation.

Drawing on insights from the Church Fathers, Fr. Martin Kraus (Holy Trinity Church, East Meadow) will lead a discussion on how to begin accomplishing this ‘acquisition of peace’ in our own hearts.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

The Department of Youth Ministry invites all middle school and high school students to the OCA Diocese of New York & New Jersey’s Fall Teen Retreat being held at Frost Valley YMCA Camp, in Claryville, NY from September 15-17th!

The Department of Youth Ministry invites all middle school and high school students to the OCA Diocese of New York & New Jersey’s Lenten Teen Retreat being held at a new venue, Frost Valley YMCA Camp, in Claryville, NY from March 24-26th!

On the weekend of October 21-23, 2022, ten guys from across the diocese came together in the remote Adirondack wilderness at Cedar River Campsite to listen for God’s still, soft voice amidst the chaos of today’s world. The attendees ranged in age from 16 to 69, and included a catechumen, some newcomers to the Faith, a few old-comers, and a seminarian.

The Diocese of New York and New Jersey is presenting a unique and spiritually rich Retreat for Men, including young men of high-school age and over.  The "Mountain Men's Respite: Acquiring Peace in the Midst of Chaos" Camping Trip will take place October 21-23 in the Adirondack Mountains of New York.

The Department of Youth Ministry is excited to announce that Youth Day will be held this year at TreEscape Aerial Adventure Park in Vernon Township, NJ on Saturday, August 20th starting at 10:30 AM! Open to everyone age 4 and up, we encourage children, teens, recent graduates, and parents to join in on the fun.

A Diocesan Teen Social will take place at Holy Trinity in East Meadow on February 19.  This is the second event in the series of Quarterly Teen Socials being held across the Diocese in the hopes of reconnecting our Youth to our churches and to each other.  There will be simultaneous get-togethers in Paramus as well as Herkimer on this date.

The Diocesan Chancellor, Archpriest Joseph Lickwar, reports: "During the month of August the Diocese is presenting ... in each Deanery ... a Workshop for Church School personnel, Parish Council members, and all parishioners who have contact with children in the course of their work in the Church. The morning segment of this Workshop is a seminar entitled, "Reducing the Risk of Sexual Abuse In Your Parish," presented by Michael Herzak, CEO of Insurance Systems, Inc., Certified Risk Manager, and parishioner of St. Michael’s Orthodox Church in Cleveland OH. This seminar provides the training mandated by the 2012 Diocesan Assembly to protect our children, families, teachers, and parishes from even the potentiality of an incident or accusation of abuse. The second half of the day is offered especially to Church School directors, teachers, and helpers. Its purpose is twofold: to provide a forum for the exchange of ideas, challenges, and successes; and to offer a sample lesson, taught in succession for three successively older age groups. Please encourage all your Church School faculty to come and be inspired as we all work together to deepen our children’s foundation in the Faith."  Specific dates and locations for the three regional conferences are listed in the "Upcoming Events" section of this website.

get the Conference flyer >

The Diocesan Chancellor, Archpriest Joseph Lickwar, reports: "During the month of August the Diocese is presenting ... in each Deanery ... a Workshop for Church School personnel, Parish Council members, and all parishioners who have contact with children in the course of their work in the Church. The morning segment of this Workshop is a seminar entitled, Reducing the Risk of Sexual Abuse In Your Parish, presented by Michael Herzak, CEO of Insurance Systems, Inc., Certified Risk Manager, and parishioner of St. Michael’s Orthodox Church in Cleveland OH. This seminar provides the training mandated by the 2012 Diocesan Assembly to protect our children, families, teachers, and parishes from even the potentiality of an incident or accusation of abuse. The second half of the day is offered especially to Church School directors, teachers, and helpers. Its purpose is twofold: to provide a forum for the exchange of ideas, challenges, and successes; and to offer a sample lesson, taught in succession for three successively older age groups. Please encourage all your Church School faculty to come and be inspired as we all work together to deepen our children’s foundation in the Faith."  Specific dates and locations for the three regional conferences are listed in the "Upcoming Events" section of this website.

get the Conference flyer >

visit the FaceBook Page of the Department of Christian Education >

The minutes from the Extraordinary Diocesan Assembly, held at Holy Assumption Orthodox Church in Clifton, NJ, on Monday, August 31, 2009, are now available here.

The Department of Christian Education of the Orthodox Church in America has recently released a new Activity Book available for free download at our website at:  http://dce.oca.org

A workshop for Church singers, directors, and readers will be held at Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church here on Saturday, November 10, 2007.

The workshop, which begins at 9:30 a.m., will be sponsored by the Diocese of Washington and New York of the Orthodox Church in America and hosted by a parish of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese.

The workshop theme is "Special Techniques for Singing Orthodox Liturgical Music."

Mark Bailey, lecturer in liturgical music at Saint Vladimir's Seminary, Crestwood, NY, will be the featured speaker and instructor. He will highlight and demonstrate techniques essential to the understanding and singing of Orthodox liturgical music in today's Church.

To register, please send a check for $20.00 payable to the Diocese of Washington and New York to Bailey Workshop, c/o 38 Pearl Street, New Hyde Park, NY 11040. To ensure the viability of the workshop, early registration is essential.

For more information, please download a flyer or contact johndoreen@optonline.net; 516/437-5760. Please feel free to leave a voice message.

Prof. Aleksei V. Shipovalnikov will lead a liturgical music workshops titled "The Art of the Liturgy" at the Dormition of the Virgin Mary Church, 53 Baxter Ave., Binghamton, NY, on Saturday, August 25, 2007 from 10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.

A workshop for Church singers, directors, and readers will be held at Saint John the Baptist Church in Passaic, NJ, on Saturday, February 3, 2007.

For more information, please download the flyer.

Ss. Peter & Paul Orthodox Church of Manville, NJ, is presently seeking a part-time or fulltime choir director.  For more information, please contact Fr. James, 908-685-1452. 

The next Diocesan Assembly will be on November 5, 2007 at Saints Peter and Paul Church, South River, NJ.

The Diocesan Council will meet on Monday, June 18, 2007 at 10:30 a.m. at Saints Peter and Paul Church, Jersey City, NJ.

His Beatitude, Metropolitan HERMAN has scheduled a retreat for diocesan clergy on Monday, March 12, 2007 at Holy Assumption Church, Clifton, NJ at 10:30am.  The presentation will be made by Priest Arkardy Mironko, Rector of Saints Peter and Paul Parish, Bayonne, NJ.

On Sunday, May 14, 2006, with the blessing of His Beatitude Metropolitan HERMAN, the Diocese of Washington and New York launched its new website.