The registration for the upcoming 2019 Girls Retreat is now opened. Please register by November 8, 2019. We cannot guarantee spots past this deadline.
Save the date for the upcoming 2019 girls retreat.
November 22-24
Archbishop Michael is asking that a special collection be taken on College Student Sunday -- October 6, or another October Sunday at the rector's discretion -- in support of the good work of OCF (Orthodox Christian Fellowship). The Assembly of Bishops and OCF encourage the entire faithful family—clergy, parents, grandparents, godparents, aunts, uncles, and friends of our treasured college students—to be generous in your offering of support to this ministry on their behalf. Your support enables OCF to open and maintain its Chapters and Chaplains on college campuses, to be an integral part of students’ spiritual formation by challenging them to explore the Faith and to inspire students to commit to living an Orthodox Christian way of life daily. Donations may be sent to the OCF National Office, 50 Goddard Avenue, Brookline, MA 02445 or made online at www.ocf.net/donate.
Read the announcement of OCF College Student Sunday 2019 << here >>
In conjunction with Archpastoral visit of His Eminence Archbishop Michael to St. Olympia Mission in Potsdam NY, Dr. Mary Ford, Ph. D. will present a public lecture at St. Lawrence University, on Saturday October 5th. Hierarchical Divine Liturgy will be celebrated by Archbishop Michael on Sunday, October 6th at 9:45 am. St. Olympia Mission is located at 123 Main St., Potsdam NY. Everyone is invited to join these events! Click here to download the poster of Dr. Ford's presentation.>>
The 2019 Diocesan Assembly webpage is now available with related documents and the agenda. The various reports will be published as they are submitted to us.
UPDATED 10/17/2019: New report(s).
The Diocese of New York and New Jersey will mark Church Musician Appreciation Day on Sunday, September 29, 2019 - the Sunday before the feast day of Saint Romanos the Melodist. Truly, we need to nurture and encourage our church musicians – and thank them on this day for their pious work! Read more here >
The Blessed Healing Icon of Saint Anna, the Mother of the Holy Virgin Mary (from Saint Tikhon’s Monastery) will visit Holy Assumption Orthodox Church, 35 Orange Avenue, Clifton NJ on Sunday, 6 October 2019. A Moleben Prayer Service with an Anointing will be held at 4:00 p.m.
His Eminence, Archbishop Michael, attended an annual Memorial Service in Wantage NJ (Holy Spirit Orthodox Church) commemorating the sacrificial actions of first-responders during the attacks on our nation on September 11, 2001. First responders from the area attended and were especially honored for their service. In this photo (above; credit Cheryl Fleishman), Archbishop Michael blesses the Unionville NY Fire Department following the service.
His Eminence, Archbishop Michael, made an Archpastoral visitation to the Orthodox Christian Church of the Holy Transfiguration, Pearl River NY on Saturday, 7 September 2019, the Fore-Feast of the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos. After the Divine Liturgy, His Eminence presented Tatiana (Tanya) Jelenevsky Tjoa with a Diocesan Gramota (certificate of recognition) honoring her 31 years of service as the Choir Director at Holy Transfiguration Church. A festive banquet in honor of Archbishop Michael’s visitation and the recognition of Tatiana Jelenevsky Tjoa was held in the parish hall.
The Second Annual Diocesan BIBLE BOWL is coming up on Saturday, 16 November 2019, at Holy Resurrection Church in Wayne, New Jersey (10 am to 2 pm)! The first Bible Bowl was a great opportunity for children and adult contestants to deepen their knowledge of the Holy Scriptures while building friendships in fun-filled fellowship. Age groupings are Pre-teens (ages 9-12), Teens (ages 13-19), and Adults (ages 20+). Plan now to attend, to learn, to grow, and to better appreciate the Good News of our Lord found in the Bible.
An insightful reflection on the beginning of a new Liturgical Year of grace is offered by Father Terence Baz. In part, he writes: "As we come to the beginning of the New Liturgical Year, the Orthodox Church calls us to lift up our hearts, minds and souls to Christ as we journey through the Church’s seasons in our worship. The beauty of our church buildings teaches us that Christ, through Whom the universe was created, is the foundation of the universe in all its beauty. Likewise, in the Church’s iconography, we see stories that reveal how God has intervened in human history."
“YOUTH DAY 2019” for the New York State Deanery was held on 22 August hosted by Saint John the Baptist Church in Rochester NY. For the 47 participants the day began with breakfast and prayers in the church (with Archbishop Michael presiding); followed by an afternoon/evening of fun and fellowship at one of the top 10 mid-sized amusement and water parks in the nation: Sea Breeze. Those brave enough rode on the “Jack Rabbit” … the oldest continuously operated wooden roller-coaster in America. Using a large pavilion as home base, many friendships were formed and a beautifully fun day was enjoyed by all.
Nearly 40 teens, young adults, children, and their families sat in the summer heat of Yankee Stadium to watch the Yankees beat the Cleveland Indians 6 to 5 on Saturday, August 17th. Ten parishes of our diocese participated in this year's “Youth Day” as well as a contingent from Saint Anthony's Antiochian Orthodox Church in Bergenfield NJ. Following the game youth gathered for Vespers and an ice cream social at Holy Trinity Church in Yonkers NY.
On August 29th our beloved Spiritual Shepherd and Father in Christ ... His Eminence, Archbishop Michael ... celebrates his birthday. May God grant him many, many blessed years as he serves, protects, inspires, teaches, and above all loves the flock of Christ abiding in New York and New Jersey. "Eis Polla, Eti Despota!"
Saint Andrew’s Camp and Religious Center is located on the shore of Lake Oneida in upstate New York, about 30 minutes north of Syracuse NY. Couples attending the retreat will receive lodging, meals, and all retreat materials as part of their registration. We are honored to feature Dr. Mary and Dr. David Ford of Saint Tikhon’s Orthodox Theological Seminary as retreat leaders. Following on-line registration, participants will receive further details and travel information. The retreat is limited to 12 couples! This will facilitate an opportunity for fellowship and friendships to be formed as the retreat unfolds, with everyone having ample opportunity for sharing and involvement.
[Binghamton NY] Rev. Deacon Simeon (Terry) C. Peet, 74, of Binghamton NY, born August 22, 1944 in Penn Yan NY, fell asleep in the Lord on Friday, August 16, 2019, at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital after a 23-year battle with cancer. The family will receive friends at Dormition of the Virgin Mary Orthodox Church, 54 Baxter Street, Binghamton, New York, on Tuesday, August 20, from 5:00 – 7:00 PM. A Panikhida service will be celebrated at 6:30 PM. On Wednesday, August 21, the Divine Liturgy with Litya for the Departed, celebrated by His Eminence, Archbishop Michael, will begin at 10:00 AM. Burial will follow in Floral Park Cemetery, Johnson City, New York. May Deacon Simeon’s memory be eternal!
Volunteers from throughout the Diocese descended upon the little Holy Transfiguration Church in Pearl River NY, 22-26 July 2019, transforming its shabby ceiling and walls, covered with years of candle and incense soot, into a bright and welcoming place of worship once again. Archbishop Michael was the first volunteer to show up, serve the Molieben for “The Beginning of Any Good Work,” and roll up his cassock sleeves to scrub down the walls in preparation for painting.
