Friday, July 10, 2020

We, the Executive Committee of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States of America, protest the decision of the civil courts in Turkey, as well as the clear direction of their government, to re-convert Hagia Sophia into a mosque

The latest edition of Jacob's Well titled "Hierarchy & Equality" is now available in digital format. Click here to start reading Jacob's Well online.

On July 2, 2020, Archpriest Paul Shafran, Pastor Emeritus (retired), Trenton, NJ,  celebrated his 98th birthday at a small outdoor gathering with Matushka Mary and other family members, including his two great-grandchildren.  Archpriest Daniel Skvir made a surprise guest appearance, along with Matushka Tamara, and intoned Mnogaya L'yeta.  On Sunday, July 5th, Fr. Volodymyr Chaikivskyi, Rector, St. Vladimir's Church in Trenton, continued the celebration and intoned Many Years for Fr. Paul at the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy. 

To watch: Go to either www.facebook.com/SaintTikhons  OR   www.youtube.com/SaintTikhonsSeminary

• 3 Encouraging Speeches by Archbishop Michael, Rector of St. Tikhon’s Seminary
• Testimonies of Students--so rich!
• Reflections of Alumni--amazing (wait till you see Fr Daniel Ressetar!)
• Words from the Board
• As we advance through the day--major interviews each hour--5 of them-->
• Meet Fr Teo Merras at the Dormition Cathedral in Helsinki, Finland, where St Alexander Hotovitsky served.  
• Meet Fr Khader George Baramki, Rector of St James Cathedral, at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem--who is the Principal of the
• Bethany School for Girls, near the tomb of Lazarus.
• Meet Actor and Musician Jonathan Jackson.  
• Meet Hank Hanegraaff, the Bible Answer Man.  
• Meet Nikos Gouraros, head of Pemptousia, Vatopedi's digital-evangelism arm.  
• And a most special guest in the 8pm hour (announced at noon).
• And a brief service of Thanksgiving in Abp. Michael's chapel, live, thanking the donors.

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...

SYOSSET, NY [OCA]

On Wednesday, June 10, His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon was informed of the hospitalization of Metropolitan Theodosius, Former Archbishop of Washington, Metropolitan of All America and Canada.

In a tweet this morning His Beatitude asked for prayers from the faithful for Metropolitan Theodosius.

Praying for the health of His Beatitude Metropolitan Theodosius who was recently admitted to the hospital. I ask for the prayers of all the faithful for His Beatitude. May God strengthen him.

— Metropolitan Tikhon (@mettikhon) June 11, 2020

Metropolitan Tikhon spoke with Metropolitan Theodosius via FaceTime this morning and reports that he is doing well, but will remain in the hospital for the immediate future.

Cards of support can be sent to Metropolitan Theodosius at: 601 Boone Avenue, Canonsburg, PA 15317.

Please keep His Beatitude Metropolitan Theodosius in your prayers.

Originally posted on OCA.org.

Please join us on the Feast of the Holy Apostles, Tuesday, June 30, for "Streaming For Living Waters": an online, live-streamed "friend-raising and fund-raising" event for St. Tikhon's Seminary.  We will share the life and work of St. Tikhon's through talks, interviews, and even entertainment provided by various members of the St. Tikhon’s Orthodox Theological Seminary community...

The latest issue of KOINONIA is now available for download and distribution in the parishes. KOINONIA 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 June 2020 issue of KOINONIA.

By popular request, the Akathist Service to the African Martyrs, including the Prayer for Racial Reconciliation, is available for download.  This service was celebrated by Archbishop Michael, together with the Clergy of St. Simon of Cyrene Mission and our Diocese, at the mission parish in New Brunswick, NJ, in 2017.  Download the text of the service here.

Good News! Our Diocesan Camp of St. Andrew’s will be holding a Family Retreat at the end of July and beginning of August. Please download the flyer below, mark your calendar, and share the news with other families who are looking for a spiritually enriching summer! Download the flyer here.

Nadine Eskoff Brown, belovedly known as Matushka, reposed in the Lord in the early morning of June 4, 2020.  Born to +Michael and +Natalie Eskoff on January 17, 1947 in Binghamton NY, she is survived by immediate family: sister Natalie (Father Ken James) Stavrevsky, niece Victoria Stavrevsky, and great-niece Layla Natalie Cole. Interment will be at Saint Tikhon’s Monastery in South Canaan PA, beside her deceased husband, Father Thomas Brown.

His Eminence, Archbishop Michael, has asked me to share with you the following Call to Prayer concerning the present unrest in our country, released yesterday, from the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the U.S.A.  In conjunction with this statement, Archbishop Michael asks that each of us observe a moment of prayerful silence at 12 Noon tomorrow (Wednesday, June 3), entreating our Lord to bless and bring peace upon our country.

A New Reflection by Archpriest Peter BaktisRector, Church of the Mother of God, Joy of All Who Sorrow, Princeton, NJ.

Father Peter's inspiring meditation was originally published by the National Council of Churches as part of its series of reflections for the Easter season of 2020.  Read it here.  

The clergy and faithful of the Diocese of New York and New Jersey express prayerful congratulations to our beloved Archpastor, His Eminence, Archbishop MICHAEL, on the 10th Anniversary of his Consecration to the Episcopacy, which took place May 8, 2010 at Saints Peter and Paul Church, Jersey City, New Jersey, and his enthronement as the Ruling Hierarch of the Diocese of New York and New Jersey, on May 9, 2010, in his Cathedral of the Holy Virgin Protection, New York, New York.

Over the past decade, Archbishop Michael has brought incredible renewal, vision, and paternal guidance to the life of our Diocese. He ministers with tireless devotion to the clergy and their families, to every one of the parishes, missions, and chapels, and to all who seek his guidance or ask for his prayers. His archpastoral presence and wise words have inspired everyone who has heard him preach and teach, spent time with him at church events, Camp sessions and Retreats, or received the Holy Mysteries from his hands.

We are grateful to God for blessing us with such a caring and faithful Spiritual Father … and we are thankful to Vladyka for his continual outpouring of love, leadership, and dedication to the spiritual growth and salvation of his flock in this God-protected Diocese!

Your Eminence: We all wish that we could have gathered as a Diocese to honor you in person at the Anniversary Celebration that was to happen on Saturday, May 9. Still, we look forward to the next time we can be together in your presence — and we take this moment to say to you, dear Vladyka: We love you ... we thank God for you ... and we pray that our Lord will grant you continued strength, good health, and MANY, MANY BLESSED YEARS!

Eis polla eti Despota!

Join people from around the world at CeaselessPrayer.org in prayer for God's mercy, for our repentance, and the granting of wisdom, compassion, healing and strength in this time of trial.

We invite you to pray with the help of this simple app, just a few minutes a day. We include a variety of prayers and helpful materials. Let us light up the map of the world in ceaseless prayer to our merciful Lord.