Holy Trinity Church in Yonkers NY will present “Music of the Christmas Season” performed by the parish choir on Wednesday, December 19th at 7:00 p.m. with a Christmas Bazaar and Reception following. Admission is free of charge. Event information >
The year is coming to an end and it’s up to us! Will we support seminarians representing our future priests and deacons? Will we support new mission parishes? Will we support our parishes and priests with the active support of our Archbishop and programs for growth and revitalization? The time is now to answer the call – “we need your support!” Learn about the DDB and, please, consider joining the team by a financial contribution now … before the end of 2018. Click here >
During the Archpastoral visit of Archbishop Michael to Saints Peter and Paul Church in Endicott NY on the weekend of 10-11 November 2018, sixteen Catechumens (the Card family) were received into the church by Holy Baptism and Chrismation (anointing). The presence of the Holy Spirit was truly felt by all as His Eminence exclaimed: “The Seal of the Gift of The Holy Spirit!” 180 times with the choir and congregation singing “Amen!” as many times in response. During the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy, Archbishop Michael tonsured five young men to the rank of Reader.
In an essay entitled, "Three Miracles," Deacon David Donch begins by writing: "Nearly 2000 years ago, a man named Jairus had a little girl who had become seriously ill, and because the medicine of their day provided no cure for her illness, she was dying. With no hope left him but his hope in the power of God, Jairus set out to find an unusual preacher that he and so many others had been hearing so much about: a certain Jesus, Who people were saying wielded God’s miraculous power to heal all sorts of afflictions and diseases." To read his entire essay, please go here >
Today is the prelude of the good will of God, of the preaching of the salvation of mankind. The Virgin appears in the temple of God, in anticipation proclaiming Christ to all. Let us rejoice and sing to her: "Rejoice, O Fulfillment of the Creator's dispensation!" (Troparion Hymn)
Stacey Anastasia Gleeson writes: “What would it be like to be an Orthodox missionary? How would I know unless I experienced it? Over the years, I have expressed this desire with family and friends, but struggled to act. My professional career and local volunteer work at my church took priority. However, a life experience motivated me to finally put my desire of a missionary trip into action.”
On Saturday, 3 November 2018, nearly 50 youth and adults from across the diocese gathered at Holy Trinity Church in Yonkers NY together with Archbishop Michael for the first annual Diocesan “BIBLE BOWL.” The Bible Bowl combined competition, camaraderie, and the culmination of months of diligent study of the Scriptures. Eleven teams from six parishes competed in three divisions (Junior Youth, Senior Youth, Adult) and responded to challenging questions from the Gospel of Saint Mark.
The days of winter are upon us and snow falls in various parts of our diocese. As we warm our homes and churches to escape the cold, it's time to warm the flames of support in these final weeks of 2018 by considering a financial contribution to our Distinguished Diocesan Benefactors program. Our seminarians, mission parishes, and all of us benefit thanks to the ministries supported (made possible!) by our DDBs! See the list of our 2018 DDBs here >
On Saturday, 27 October 2018, His Eminence, Archbishop Michael made an Archpastoral visit to the Orthodox Christian Church of the Holy Transfiguration in Pearl River NY. The parish celebrated the Fiftieth Anniversary of its formation. During the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy, Igumen Joseph (Hoffman), Parish Rector, was elevated by Archbishop Michael to the dignity of Archimandrite.
The latest issue of our diocesan newsletter, "Beyond the Plateau" is now available. Please go here >
The Fall 2018 edition of our diocesan publication, "Jacob's Well," is now available. Click on the image above to view and read this informative and interesting magazine-journal. To see past issues, please go here >
Father Terence Baz of Assumption of the Holy Virgin Orthodox Church in Clifton NJ writes: "This past June, I was privileged to be invited to a four-day symposium on the environment, hosted in Greece by His All-Holiness, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew. I received this invitation as a member of the Fellowship of the Transfiguration, a body of Orthodox clergy and laity concerned about environmental matters and endorsed by the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the USA. At this event, called the Green Attica Symposium, I joined about 200 other international guests and world leaders to hear presentations outlining concerns about the environment."
On weekend of 15-16 September 2018, Archbishop Michael visited Saint John the Baptist Church in Alpha NJ and presented a Synodal Gramota to Archpriest Bohdan Ostash (Parish Rector) in recognition of his 30 years of priesthood. His Eminence also brought a new Antimension for the altar containing the relics of a saint. Following the Liturgy, in the newly renovated Church Hall, there was a festal dinner. His Eminence had a dialogue with parishioners during which he shared experiences about his recent pilgrimage visit to the Holy Land and Slovakia.
The theme of this year’s retreat is “Finding Your True North: Where Does Christ Fit into Your Life?” The retreat is open to Young Women in Grades 7-12 at Saint Basil Academy in Garrison NY from November 9-11, 2018.
