PITTSBURGH, PA [Orthodox Youth Directors in North America Communications]

Join The Orthodox Youth Directors in North America (OYDNA) virtually on Thursday, January 28th and Friday, January 29th for their Annual Youth and Camp Workers Conference!

Thursday, January 28th

6:30 pm EST: Welcome, Opening Prayer, and Introductions

7:00 - 9:00 pm EST: Session 1 – Youth Panel Presentation & Discussion

Friday, January 29th

11:00 am - 1 pm EST: Session 2 - The Beauty in Youth Formation

2:00 - 4:00 pm EST: Session 3 - Practical Youth Formation

4:15 pm EST: Akathist for Youth

The objective of the Youth and Camp Workers Conference (YCC) is to offer an enriching and uplifting experience that will connect youth and camp workers and provide them with inspirational and challenging ideas to help them refine and improve their work. YCC is hosted by OYDNA, a working committee of individuals who serve as the departmental heads of the youth, college, and young adult ministry departments of the different Orthodox churches represented in the Assembly of Canonical Bishops of the United States.

The Orthodox Church in America is co-hosting the Conference and invites all Clergy, Youth Group Advisors, Church School Teachers, Youth Workers, Camp Directors, Camp Counselors, and anyone with an interest in serving our young people to attend!

Two of the main speakers are from the OCA, Dr. Peter Bouteneff and Fr. Sergius Halvorsen, and OCA youth will be featured during a panel presentation and discussion on the evening of January 28th. Information on other speakers can be found on the Conference website.

Click here to register, and email Danielle Geeza with any questions.

Click here for the conference flyer.

On Thursday, December 31, 2020, the Holy Synod of Bishops of the Orthodox Church in America has issued an encyclical entitled, “We Rejoice Even in Tribulation”: An Encyclical of Hope. The Holy Synod offers this work out of love and gratitude to its faithful at the end of this year. The Synod also intends for the encyclical to be seen as an encouragement for the year to come. In the encyclical, the Synod seeks to find meaning in the year that has past, which has been marked by a pandemic, political polarization, economic anxiety, and civil unrest, and calls the faithful to a renewed faith and hope in Jesus Christ, and service to one another.

Presently the encyclical is available as a PDF for download. In January 2021, printed copies will be mailed to all parishes, monasteries, and institutions of the Orthodox Church in America.

This article first appeared on www.oca.org on December 31, 2020.

Archpriest Paul Shafran, Pastor Emeritus (retired) at St. Vladimir's Church in Trenton, on December 28th celebrated the 73d anniversary of his ordination to the Holy Priesthood.  He was ordained by Bishop Nikon at Holy Protection Cathedral in NYC when the famous "Blizzard of 1947" dropped several feet of snow on the city.  He and Matushka Mary also celebrated their 73d wedding anniversary in November.  Congratulations and may God bless them for their continued love and ministry in the Church.  M'nogaya L'yeta!    

Our Diocesan Chancellor, Mitred Archpriest Joseph Lickwar, celebrating his birthday today, December 23.

Grant, O Lord, peace, prosperity, health, salvation, visitation, and good hastening in all things, to Thy servant, the Mitred Archpriest Joseph, celebrating his birthday today; and protect and preserve him for many blessed years!  "Mnogaya Lyeta!"

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.

Fr. Sergius, Archbishop Michael, and Fr. John all talk about discerning a vocation to the priesthood.

The Department of Youth Ministry is sponsoring a Virtual Winter Retreat for Teens in Grades 7-12 on Wednesday, December 30, 2020. There is no fee to participate. The day will begin at 11:30 AM EST and be split into two sessions (11:30am-2:30pm and 6:30-8:30pm). 

An online gala showcasing the musical talents of the Saint Tikhon's community & other churches across North America.

DECEMBER 6, 2020 | 7-9 PM
ONLINE AT YOUTUBE.STOTS.EDU
& FACEBOOK.COM/SAINTTIKHONS

Watch and sing along as the choirs and musicians of St. Tikhon's sing and play music celebrating St. Nicholas and the Christmas season.

With Performances By:
The St. Tikhon's Seminary Choir
The St. Tikhon's Monastery Mixed Choir
The Sheehan Family Singers
Soloists from the St. Tikhon's community
Choirs from parishes across North America
...and a special guest!
For more information call (570) 561-1818 or email info@stots.edu

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE EVENT FLYER

On November 27, 2020, His Eminence, the Most Reverend David (Mahaffey), Archbishop of Sitka and Alaska, fell asleep in the Lord after a grave illness. He was the ruling hierarch of the Diocese of Alaska of the Orthodox Church in America from 2014 until his repose.

Courtesy of John Penkrat, Holy Resurrection Church, Wayne, NJ.

On the weekend of November 7th and  November 8th, the Parish of the Nativity of the Holy Virgin, located in Jackson, NJ was blessed to have His Eminence Archbishop Michael join the faithful for his annual Archpastoral visitation.

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...