This year the bicycle ride will be on Saturday, August 28th, 2021. The ride is a fun way to support OUR Camp and to connect with other Orthodox Christians from different churches of our diocese. All levels of riding ability are welcome.

On July 1, 2021, Deacon Jacob Ramsey was ordained to the Holy Priesthood by His Eminence Archbishop Michael of New York and the Diocese of New York and Jersey at Saints Peter and Paul Church in Endicott, NY. Co-serving with His Eminence were Mitred Archpriest Joseph Lickwar, Chancellor of the Diocese of New York and New Jersey, Archpriest Alexey Karlgut, parish rector and Dean of New York State, Archpriest Wiaczeslaw Krawczuk, Dean of New York City, Archpriest Gary Breton, Dean of New Jersey, Archpriest David Cowan Vice-Chancellor of the Diocese and a multitude of clergy from the Diocese and various jurisdictions. A festive meal took place after the Liturgy.

Many Years to the newly-ordained Priest Jacob, Matushka Anastasia, and their children Stephen, Nicholas and John!

By the grace of God, Archpriest Paul Shafran (Pastor Emeritus, retired – Trenton, NJ) reached his 99th milestone birthday July 2, 2021.  He was blessed to serve Divine Liturgy (shown in photo) on Sunday, July 4th, with Fr. Volodymyr Chaikivskiy  (Rector of Saint Vladimir's Church, Trenton, NJ), after which Fr. Volodymyr thanked him for all he has done for the Church and intoned “Many Years!”  Parishioners then gathered in the parish social hall for celebratory cake – a welcome change from last year’s covid-related lock-down.  The prior day, Fr. Paul celebrated with family.  We extend our warm congratulations, gratitude, and “Mnogaya L’yeta” to Fr. Paul!

A video summary of the 2020-21 church school year at Saints Peter and Paul Orthodox Cathedral in Jersey City, NJ.

The latest issue of KOINONIA is now available for download and distribution in the parishes. KONIONIA is the quarterly newsletter published by the Diocesan Commission on Missions and Evangelism, under the editorship of the Director of that Commission, Archpriest Eric Tosi, and with the blessing of His Eminence, Archbishop Michael.

Click here to download the latest KONONIA issue.

As the country carefully begins to revive from its long covid pause, the value of parish life, traditions and just being together with other Orthodox Christians, takes on a new vitality. One such time-honored tradition took place at Holy Trinity Orthodox Church in Yonkers NY on Sunday, June 13, 2021 immediately following Divine Liturgy: A Flag-Raising ceremony.

Below, please find an Addendum to the May 26 Diocesan Guidelines on the Continuing Re-Opening of Our Churches, Missions, and Chapels.  The intent of this Addendum is to address issues not articulated in the May 26 Guidelines.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE ADDENDUM

We ask for the assistance of our
faithful and our parishes to meet the
goal of $300,000 by the end of July.

Glory to God! The Department of Christian Education congratulates the following Diocesan family members who have completed their Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Formation Training.

With the blessing of Archbishop MICHAEL, the Department of Youth Ministry would like to honor all high school and college graduates from our diocese by featuring their accomplishments in Jacob's Well, the official magazine of our diocese.

In order for this to happen, we need your help!

This weekend marks the eleventh anniversary of Archbishop Michael’s consecration to the Episcopacy, on Saturday, May 8, 2010, at SS. Peter and Paul Cathedral in Jersey City, and His Eminence’s enthronement as the Bishop of New York and New Jersey, on Sunday, May 9, 2010, at Holy Virgin Protection Cathedral in New York City. 

Dearest Vladyka: In expressing the love of your Diocesan family for you, the sentiments spoken long ago by a seminary student of yours, now a parish priest, ring true across the years – and they ring true not only for students of theology, but for all the parishes under your archpastoral care and for each of your spiritual sons and daughters within this God-protected Diocese.  The seminarian said:

“Saint Paul says that ‘though I have all faith, so that I could move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.’ (1 Cor 13:2)  In considering the many obstacles facing those striving to give their lives to the service of the Lord, we must take great notice when God sends an instrument of love to aid us in our struggle.  Whenever we struggled, Archbishop Michael was there.  When we needed encouragement, Archbishop Michael was there.  When we needed love, Archbishop Michael was there.  Archbishop Michael made the words of Saint Paul come alive to us, and by his example, he has written those words on our hearts.”

Your Eminence: Last May, your tenth anniversary came at a difficult time in the life of the Diocese, of Churches everywhere, and of the whole world. We know that your heart was heavy not to be able to celebrate in full churches, gathered with great numbers of the faithful.  Yet, still, as we your spiritual children have struggled in so many ways through this past year of the pandemic, you have been there: in person whenever you could be … on the phone if that was all that was possible … but with prayer and patience and kindness – always.

May your Eleventh Anniversary bring you all the joy that is fitting for this milestone; and may the Great High Priest bless you and reward you for your selfless service, as the “instrument of His love” in the lives of thousands of His children.  Eis Polla Eti, Despota!

Archpriest Nilus Lerro fell asleep in the Lord on Holy Wednesday afternoon, April 28, 2021, at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City, NY.

Ordained a deacon in 1971 and a priest in 1972, Father Nilus converted to Holy Orthodoxy in 2006. He served for a number of years as the Director of Student Life and Instructor at Saint Tikhon’s Orthodox Theological Seminary.

After his retirement from Saint Tikhon’s Seminary, Father Nilus was attached to the Cathedral of the Holy Virgin Protection, Manhattan, NY, where he was an assistant to Archimandrite Christopher (Calin) until his health limited his activities. He continued on, however, as a father confessor to the parishioners of the Cathedral parish and several Orthodox clergy and faithful in the greater New York City area, until his recent move to an extended care facility.

Funeral Services for Archpriest Nilus will be celebrated at Holy Virgin Protection Cathedral, 59 East 2nd Street, New York, NY 10003.

Bright Thursday, May 6
3pm - 8pm viewing
6 pm Service of Burial

Bright Friday, May 7
9:30 am Divine Liturgy

Burial will take place at St Mary’s Cemetery, Cockeysville, MD. By request of Archimandrite Christopher, Dean of the Cathedral: face coverings are mandatory in the Cathedral.

The altar is limited to 10 persons total, so a maximum of 5 serving visiting priests can be accommodated.

May Father Nilus’ memory be eternal!

The clergy and faithful of the Diocese continue to mourn the tragic losses of life, the needless acts of violence, the divisions among races, and the civil strife which plague many of our cities and countrysides...