We have reached the saving Passion of Christ our God. Let us, the faithful, glorify His ineffable forbearance, that in His compassion He may raise us up who were dead in sin, for He is good and loves mankind!
(Bridegroom Matins of Holy Monday)
UPDATED: Many Distinguished Diocesan Benefactors have already joined in supporting mission parishes, seminarians, and parish ministries throughout the Diocese of New York and New Jersey through their financial contributions. An "honor roll" listing of current 2019 DDBs is available here >. To learn more about the DDB and join them, please go here >
You have entered the Holy City, O Lord, riding on the colt of an ass; hastening to Your Passion that the Law and the Prophets might be fulfilled. The Hebrew children greeted You with palms and branches heralding Your victorious Resurrection. Blessed are You, O Savior! Have mercy on us! (Vespers of Palm Sunday)
Come to Camp on Bright Saturday (4 May 2019) for a Paschal Liturgy at 9:30 a.m. celebrated by Archbishop Michael. A fellowship luncheon will follow with tours of the camp. Details are here >. The SACBR (Saint Andrew's Camp Bike Ride) is a fun and active event in support of the camp. Parishioners and their friends with various levels of abilities -- from never before bike riders to experienced cyclists, young and retired -- meet at Saint Andrew’s Camp on the 4th Saturday in August (Saturday, 24 August 2019). Participants choose from among three distances; 12, 30 or "metric century" 62 mile route. Overnight accommodations in the girl’s dormitory are available Friday and Saturday nights for a nominal cost on a first-come first-serve basis. RV and tent camping on the grounds are free. Cyclists staying overnight enjoy a free pasta dinner Friday night. Complete information and on-line registration may be found here >
This year’s Annual Diocesan Parish Council Conferences will feature guest speaker/leader Bill Marianes. The topic will be: “Discipleship through Stewardship – Becoming Closer Followers of Christ through Use of Our Time, Talent, and Treasure.” Two regional conferences are scheduled. Saturday, June 8th at Saints Peter and Paul Church in Syracuse NY, and Saturday, June 1st, at Saints Peter and Paul Church in South River NJ. Attendance by clergy and parish council members should be of top priority; interested parishioners are welcome to participate as well. See the event flyer with complete details here >
Saint Andrew’s Camp has been providing an Orthodox sleep-away camping program for over 50 years. It is located on 30 acres wooded, field, and waterfront property on the beautiful shores of Lake Oneida in Jewell, New York. The camp is a valuable resource of the OCA‘s Diocese of New York and New Jersey, but has traditionally welcomed campers and staff from all geographies and jurisdictions for a pan-Orthodox camping experience. Camp is the place where Orthodox youth ages 7 and older meet, make friends, and live in a community of brothers and sisters in Christ. Camp also provides the opportunity for Orthodox adults of all ages to come together as of staff, volunteers, clergy and parents. See "more information" to view a camp video!
A very special pilgrimage to the Holy Land will be led by Archbishop Michael on 14-26 October 2019. Spaces are still available. Download the announcement flyer here >
In his annual letter to the faithful as we enter into the season of the Great Fast, Archbishop Michael writes, in part: "During the Great Fast, we are given the opportunity to increase the use of these tools provided for us for our continued healing . . . If we see Lent as a time for healing, it is like going to a wellness center or health spa for two months."
Students at Marywood University in Scranton PA who self identify as communicants of the Orthodox Church are eligible to apply for the Peter Kohudic Scholarship which is available exclusively to Orthodox students. Preference is given, but not limited to, students at Saint Tikhon’s Orthodox Theological Seminary. For complete details please contact Barbara Schmitt, Director of Financial Aid, at schmitt@marywood.edu or 570-348-6225
A new issue of our diocesan newsletter, "First Fruits," is now available. In this edition, Father Gary Joseph Breton discusses "Stewardship of the Priest." In his article he writes, in part: "How should one care for one’s parish priest? I would like to offer five particular ways in which one can do so: 1) Pray for him, 2) Understand his role, 3) Support his work, 4) Offer to help him, 5) Compensate him."
On 2 February 2019, Archbishop Michael visited Saint Vladimir Church in Trenton NJ to celebrate the Feast-Day of the Meeting of the Lord. During the festal Divine Liturgy, His Eminence ordained Bohdan Chaikivskyi to the Holy Diaconate. “Many Years” to newly-ordained Deacon Bohdan!
Archbishop Michael made his annual visitation to the United States Military Academy at West Point on Sunday, 27 January 2019, celebrating the Divine Liturgy in Saint Martin's Chapel for the Orthodox cadets. Caring for the spiritual needs of these future military leaders of our armed forces in the US Army are Archpriest Joseph and Presbytera Irene Frawley.
As part of a "Vision for Our Future," Archbishop Michael launched the Distinguished Diocesan Benefactor [DDB] program in January 2011. Your generous support is what being a Distinguished Diocesan Benefactor is all about. Your love, your prayers, and your sharing of the riches with which you have been blessed make it all possible.
Archbishop Michael hosted the clergy families of the New York State Deanery for a holiday gathering at Basil Leaf Ristorante in Syracuse NY on Sunday evening, 27 January 2019. The evening brought together priests, deacons, and their families for a spirited fellowship with their Archpastor. “It is always a joy,” said Father Ken James Stavrevsky (Rochester NY), “when our deanery family of clergy, spouses, and children, gather in grateful celebration of their ministries and common labors of love in the church. We thank His Eminence for nurturing our pastoral brotherhood in Christ!”
