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!

Click here to read Archbishop Michael's letter.

Click here to visit St. Andrew's Camp's website and make a donation.

Want to help your parish kids make a quantum leap in their Christian Formation? Then please consider bringing the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd to your parish. 

We are thrilled to announce the formation courses of Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. Please consider sharing this news with everyone - our goal is to make as many catechists as possible! Please download, print, and share the following flyer in your parish.

It's time to beat the quarantine blues this summer at Camp! We are very excited to be reunited with our beloved campers for our 64th Camp Season of 5 glorious weeks in the beautiful outdoors on Lake Oneida, New York!

Click here to REGISTER your child for a summer of fun!

WAIT! WE WANT YOU TOO!

Are you ready to get out and interact with people? 

Want to make a difference in the lives of youth, while growing your faith and enjoying nature? Then helping out at Saint Andrew's Camp is for you!

We have a need for counselors, cooks & kitchen assistants, nurses, and weekend work crews. Join us for a weekend, a week, or more!

Take your summer to the next level and join the fun and important ministry at Saint Andrew's Camp!

For more information about the camp program or helping out, contact the Camp Office at (315) 675-9771 or saintandrewscamp@aol.com

www.saintandrewscamp.org

www.facebook.com/standrewsorthodoxcamp

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FLYER

The Assembly of Bishops has declared 2021 as the "Year of the Youth"! We are excited to announce that part of this is a monthly Zoom call for our youth with our Orthodox hierarchs! These Zoom calls have been organized by region, and we ask that you check out the information below. We're excited that our own hierarch, Archbishop Michael of the Diocese of New York and New Jersey will be on the first call which is for the Northeast region on Tuesday, April 13th at 7pm EST!

Register here: https://www.assemblyofbishops.org/ministries/year-of-the-youth/

The latest issue of "First Fruits" is now available for download and distribution in the parishes. "First Fruits" is a quarterly newsletter on Christian Stewardship, under the editorship of Archpriest Jason Vansuch and with the blessing of His Eminence, Archbishop Michael.

On Sunday evening, March 21, at 5:00 PM, His Eminence Archbishop Michael will celebrate Vespers for the Triumph of Orthodoxy, at Holy Trinity Church, Elmira Heights, New York.  The service will be live-streamed on the parish's Facebook and YouTube pages.  See below for the links.

Because we are not holding area-wide events for the Sunday of Orthodoxy this year, His Eminence hopes that all the faithful who are not able to attend an Orthodoxy Sunday celebration in their area will be encouraged by this live-streamed service, as we continue our Lenten journey together!

Watch the Services via Live-Stream at:
www.facebook.com/htocelmiraheights
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCleYZV1JQD_ 10cCparcSAkg

FOR CHILDREN OF ALL AGES... Journey to Pascha
Click here for Lessons on Each Week of Lent
from the OCA Department of Christian Education

FOR YOUNG CHILDREN... Tending the Garden of Our Hearts
Click here for a low-cost downloadable Activity Book
Click here for a cookie recipe from Adventures of an Orthodox Mom

FOR TEENS & ADULTS... Youth & Young Adult Ministries
Click here for a Lesson on Forgiveness
Click here for a Video Lesson on Forgiveness

FOR FAMILIES... Lenten Reflections for Families
Click here for Reflections on Each Week of Lent
from the OCA Department of Christian Education

For more info or support, contact
Mat. Tamara Cowan, Department of Christian Education
tamarancowan@hotmail.com
www.facebook.com/nynjocaeducation

Sunday, April 11, 2021 4pm - 7pm ET

WHAT: Virtual Youth Lenten Retreat
WHEN: Sunday, April 11, 2021 - 4PM - 7PM EST
WHERE: Online - Zoom Link provided after online registration

Calling all Orthodox Youth - grades K-12! Join Archpriest Timothy Hojnicki and Archpriest Benjamin Tucci via Zoom on Sunday, April 11 from 4-7pm EST as they remind us the pathway to the Feast of Feasts - OUR LORD’S RESURRECTION!

This Lenten Retreat “Rediscovering Pascha - After a Year of Pandemic” is aimed at bringing Orthodox Youth from all jurisdictions and locations together during Great Lent.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

DOWNLOAD THE EVENT FLYER

OUR SPEAKERS
Archpriest Timothy Hojnicki - Holy Apostle Mission, Mechanicsburg, Pennyslvania
Archpriest Benjamin Tucci - St. Mary's Cathedral, Minneapolis, Minnesota

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.

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...