SYOSSET, NY [OCA]

On Monday morning, October 19, 2020, His Beatitude Metropolitan Theodosius (Lazor), former Archbishop of Washington, Metropolitan of All-America and Canada, fell asleep in the Lord in Canonsburg, PA after an extended illness. He was the Primate of the Orthodox Church in America from 1977 until his retirement in 2002.

The Diocesan Council, with the blessing of Archbishop Michael, has changed the venue of the 2020 Diocesan Assembly. This year’s Diocesan Assembly will be held on the original date and time, Thursday, November 5, 2020, 11:00 AM, by video conference.

To read the full announcement from the Chancellor of the Diocese, visit the 2020 Diocesan Assembly Website, here.

The Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops held its Tenth Anniversary Meeting online, on Tuesday and Wednesday, October 6-7, 2020. His Eminence, Archbishop Michael, serves as the Treasurer of the Assembly
of Bishops. Please read these news releases published at the Assembly's website, sharing the hierarchs' strides toward ever-stronger bonds of love and witness among the Orthodox faithful of our nation.

Assembly of Bishops Convenes Digitally, Declares “2021 the Year of the Youth”

A Message of Hope from the Assembly of Bishops - Wednesday, October 7, 2020

Assembly of Bishops Agrees on a New Common Vision - Thursday, October 8, 2020

Learn much more about the the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the U.S.A., at their website, www.assemblyofbishops.org.

Holy Spirit Orthodox Church, 102 Rt. 284, in Wantage, held its 19 th annual 9-11 Memorial Prayer Service on Friday, September 11th, 2020, in honor and remembrance of the firefighters, police, first responders, and all who lost their lives on September 11th at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and Shanksville, PA.

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.

His Eminence, Archbishop Michael visited Saints Peter and Paul Orthodox Church in East Herkimer, New York on Saturday, August 29th and Sunday, August 30th. His Eminence joined us for Great Vespers on Saturday and served the Divine Liturgy on Sunday.

As we go back to a school year that is vastly different from the last,

many of our Diocesan parishes are in need of a timely, streamlined

Christian Education Program

One that is…

Our world has changed drastically since 1950... with each decade there have been changes that never could have been imagined ... and yet the most important thing about our beloved Vladyka has not changed across those years:

FAITH

In honor of His Eminence’s seven decades, we reflect on seven ways in which his FAITH has shaped his life … shaped the lives of countless clergy and faithful across the Church … and most especially, shaped the life of our Diocese!

FAITH in the Stories of the People of God …

… taught to pray and to read by his beloved mother, + Ann, who opened to him the Holy Scripture and the Lives of the Saints …

FAITH In the Worship of the Holy Trinity …

… brought to know the Services, to serve the Services, and to love the Services, by his first spiritual father, Father Stephen Dutko …

FAITH in the Ministry of Teaching …

… sent to graduate school as a young priest by his Bishop, the Right Reverend John of blessed memory, who saw a great teacher in his young charge and left as His Grace’s legacy a scholar and a professor in Scripture, Ethics, and Pastoral Theology …

FAITH in the Joy of Giving …

… determined to carry forward the spirit of sacrifice demonstrated by his bishop and benefactor, he imitated that generosity by supporting seminarians, clergy and their families, and parishes in need …

FAITH in the Vocation of Spiritual Fatherhood …

… desiring to guide the souls entrusted to His care toward the Kingdom of Heaven, mirroring the example of the Holy Apostle Paul: “For though you might have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel” …

FAITH in the Imitation of the Good Shepherd …

… zealously guarding, feeding, and keeping his flocks in the safety of the sheepfold of the Lord: “The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. … The hireling flees because he is a hireling and does not care about the sheep. I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own.”

And FAITH in Growing His God Given Talents …

… refusing to squander the skills and strengths God has given him, but to grow them twofold, fivefold, tenfold and beyond: to teach, to preach, to evangelize … to console, to correct, to encourage … that he may be found worthy of those longed-for words from our Lord: “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

Vladyka: We are thankful for your faith … your dedication … your vision for this Diocese.  We are grateful to God that he has chosen you as our shepherd, and us as your flock.  May He grant you a most joy-filled birthday … the happiness of seeing your tireless efforts bear fruit … and many, many more blessed years!

Grant, O Lord, a prosperous and peaceful life, health, salvation, visitation and good hastening in all things, unto Thy servant, His Eminence, the Most Reverend Michael, Archbishop of New York and the Diocese of New York and New Jersey, celebrating his 70th birthday, and protect and preserve him for many blessed years!  "Mnogaya Lyeta!"  “Eis Polla eti, Despota!”

Wantage, NJ - Holy Spirit Orthodox Church, 102 Rt. 284, in Wantage, invites the public to attend a very special outdoor 9-11 Memorial Prayer Service at 6pm, Friday, September 11th, 2020, in honor and remembrance of the firefighters, police, first responders, and all who lost their lives on September 11th at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and Shanksville, PA.

The Deepest Sympathies of the clergy and faithful of the Diocese are expressed to the Very Reverend Archpriest Alexey Karlgut, his children, children-in-law, grandchildren and loved ones, on the falling-asleep in the Lord of his wife and their beloved mother, grandmother, and mother in Christ, + Matushka Anastasia, early in the morning of Tuesday, August 25.

Her loved ones will forever remember + Matushka Anastasia as a woman of the deepest and strongest faith; a devoted helpmate to her husband; a tireless teacher and example of motherhood to their 12 children and 11 grandchildren; and an incredible Matushka, choir director, and mother and sister in the Faith in the parishes where she served alongside Father Alexey, especially over the past three decades at SS. Peter and Paul Church in Endicott.

+ Matushka Anastasia held degrees from Juilliard School of Music and St. Vladimir’s Seminary and as a Registered Nurse, a profession she practiced for many years while homeschooling their children and
nurturing their growing family.  Father Alexey and Matushka Anastasia celebrated their 40th Wedding Anniversary this year.

The Funeral for + Matushka Anastasia will take place this Friday, August 28, at 11:00 AM, at Saints Peter and Paul Church, 210 Hill Avenue, Endicott, NY.  A one-hour viewing at 10:00 AM will precede the Funeral.

Grant rest eternal in blessed repose with the Saints, O Lord, to the soul of Thy newly-departed handmaiden, the ever-to-be-remembered + Matushka Anastasia, who has fallen asleep in the Lord, and make her memory to be eternal!  "Vechnaya Pamyat!"

With love,

Archbishop Michael

Have you ever wondered what Orthodox Christian Fellowship (OCF) does, or how you can get involved?

Join Danielle Geeza and His Eminence, Archbishop Michael, this Thursday, August 20th at 8pm EST, for a Zoom Information Session with two members of OCF's Student Leadership Board: Andrew Gluntz (Chairman) and George Powell (Northeast Regional Student Leader).

Andrew and George will discuss the organization, their personal experiences, and what's in store for the 2020-2021 Academic Year.

OPEN TO: Incoming College Freshman | Current College Students | Parents | Youth & Young Adult Coordinators | Clergy in the Orthodox Church in America

WHEN: Thursday, August 20th -- 8pm EST

REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED! Click here.

Please spread the word! All dioceses are welcome. If you have any questions, reach out to Danielle Geeza via email: nynjocayouth@gmail.com.

The Fourth Orthodox Advanced Leadership Conference (usually held at St Vladimir's Seminary in late September) will now be totally online due to COVID-19. What would typically cost some $2,000 for registration fees, travel, and lodging is now available for a nominal registration fee of $200 -- with some extra benefits not normally offered. You will get to see and hear some great presenters plus get your material ahead of time plus participate in online discussions...and more!

Please see the Orthodox Christian Leadership Initiative website (click here or use the link below) for information and registration. The conference will be held Friday-Saturday, September 18-19, 2020. Registrants can attend any or all of it but you will receive all the presentations ahead of time and have access afterwards as well.

Next year we will hopefully be able to get back to the in-person conference - at which we normally have some 70-90 people in attendance. But for right now, here's your chance to get some of the same experience for one-tenth the cost and in the comfort of your own home.

To register or for more information, please visit the Orthodox Christian Leadership Initiative online at: 

https://www.orthodoxservantleaders.com/national-conference.html

The Board of Trustees of Saint Herman Seminary, Kodiak, AK, has announced a search for a new Dean of the Seminary.  After a long tenure as Dean of the Seminary, Archpriest John Dunlop has decided to step down and pursue other interests.  

More information about St. Herman Seminary and the position of the Dean can be found on the OCA Website.  Click here for details.

In recent news you have no doubt read of the massive explosion that devastated the city of Beirut, the capital of Lebanon, on August 4 – killing at least 170 people and causing billions of dollars in damage.

The faithful of the Diocese are offered the opportunity to help, via a GoFundMe campaign called Glass for Lebanon...

At St. Basil’s Church, Watervliet, NY, Sunday, August 9, 2020, the feast of the Glorification of Venerable Herman of Alaska, Sub-deacon Jason Gagnon was ordained Deacon by His Eminence Archbishop Michael.  Concelebrating with His Eminence were Archpriest Peter Olsen, Rector; Archpriest Alexey Karlgut, Dean; and Deacon Stephan Karlgut.

On Saturday, August 8, 2020, His Eminence, Archbishop MICHAEL, ordained Sub-deacon John (Keith) Morris to the Diaconate at Holy Trinity Orthodox Church in East Meadow, NY, on behalf of His Beatitude, Metropolitan TIKHON. Deacon John is entering his senior year at Saint Vladimir Orthodox Theological Seminary in Yonkers, NY and is a son of the East Meadow parish.

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...