On Saturday, August 8, 2020, His Eminence, Archbishop MICHAEL, ordained Sub-deacon John (Keith) Morris to the Diaconate at Holy Trinity Orthodox Church in East Meadow, NY, on behalf of His Beatitude, Metropolitan TIKHON. Deacon John is entering his senior year at Saint Vladimir Orthodox Theological Seminary in Yonkers, NY and is a son of the East Meadow parish.

Daily Vespers was served on Friday evening, and His Eminence gave a sermon reminding us that it is not the bishop’s laying on of hands that will ordain the new Deacon, but rather the presence of the Almighty God by His Holy Spirit – Whose grace is bestowed upon those found worthy.

A beautiful Hierarchical Liturgy was served on Saturday morning, where His Eminence gave a moving homily on the history and work of the Saints who were also Deacons, especially the Protodeacon and Protomartyr Stephen. At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, Archbishop Michael addressed the newly ordained Deacon John, his wife Leticia, and their sons Lukas and Jacob. He elaborated on their ministry as a family, working in unity within the Lord’s vineyard.  A reception was held in the back yard of the church to honor the new deacon and his family.

May God protect and preserve the newly ordained Deacon John and his family, for many blessed years! “Axios, Axios, Axios!”