Dear Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

On this glorious Feast of the Nativity of Christ we celebrate a truly a wondrous event in which God, in His infinite and marvelous grace, became man bringing us enduring hope, newness of life, and eternal salvation. The Son of God, the Lord of Glory and King of kings who upholds the universe by His word of power, became man so that we human beings might be redeemed, renewed, united with Him, and become fellow citizens with the Saints and members of God’s kingdom.

The magnitude and depth of the event of the Nativity of Christ are impossible to grasp, but the message is clear and true. It is a message of grace, hope, and salvation to all humanity and to all the created order.

JOHNSTOWN, PA -- [Diocesan Chancery] -- Christ is born, glorify Him. Christ is from heaven, go to meet Him. Christ is on earth, be ye lifted up. Sing to the Lord, all the earth. Sing out with gladness, all ye people. For He is glorified (First Ode of the Christmas Canon).

His Grace, Bishop Gregory of Nyssa, the Diocesan Chancery Staff, and the Faculty and Staff of Christ the Saviour Seminary extend their heartfelt greetings to the faithful and friends of the Diocese for a blessed Feast of The Nativity of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

JOHNSTOWN [Christ the Saviour Cathedral] -- The Divine Services of Nativity and Theophany of our Lord at Christ the Saviour Cathedral will be live-streamed on the internet.

The broadcast schedule is as follows:

Nativity Eve: Great Compline - Friday January 6, 2017 - 8:00 pm

Hierarchical Divine Liturgy - Friday January 6, 2017 - 9:00 pm

JOHNSTOWN, PA - The Diocesan Chancery has been informed that Pani Martha Zeleniak, the widow of Very Rev. Protopresbyter John Zeleniak, reposed in the Lord on Sunday, December 25, 2016.

Pani Martha was born Dec. 10, 1923, to the late John and Martha Bodrucki in Elizabeth, N.J. She was married for 57 years to the late Protopresbyter John Zeleniak, who died in 1999. Together they served parishes in Ambridge and Nesquehoning, before accepting the pastorship at St. George's Orthodox Church in Taylor in 1952. They served Taylor and the greater Scranton community for over 40 years.She was a beloved and respected member of the St. George's Orthodox Church community. Throughout her 74 years of service, she was recognized as the longest-serving pani (priest's wife) in the American Carpatho Russian Orthodox Diocese.

JOHNSTOWN, PA - The Chancery has been informed of the repose in the Lord of Margaret Yawkey (State College, PA), wife of Deacon Thomas Yawkey assigned to St. John’s Church in Hawk Run, PA on Sunday, December 18th.
Her funeral will be sung in St. Nicholas Church of Homestead on Thursday of this week at 10 AM. St. Nicholas is the home parish of the Yawkey’s, and burial will be in the parish cemetery.

JOHNSTOWN, PA -- The schedule of His Grace, Bishop Gregory of Nyssa for December 2016 has been released by the Diocesan Chancery.

JOHNSTOWN, PA -- The Diocese and an anonymous donor are teaming up to send two Diocesan 11th and/or 12th graders to the Crossroad Institute held each summer at Holy Cross/Hellenic College in Brookline, MA. Crossroad is a ten day academic summer institute that prepares high school juniors and seniors to make big life decisions and connect with the Orthodox Christian theological and spiritual tradition. Hosted on the scenic Hellenic College Holy Cross campus, overlooking the beautiful Boston skyline, participants experience daily worship, visit local parishes, tour Boston, and spend a day at the beach.

My beloved Faithful Clergy and Laity of our God-Protected Diocese:

It is hard to believe that this month marks the fourth anniversary of my Consecration and Enthronement as your Bishop. During my visits to the parishes you have heard me preaching on the state of affairs, locally and globally. Conflicts, wars and senseless violence continue to inflict pain and suffering and spill blood everywhere. I am deeply saddened that peace continues to elude us. This lack of peace is the direct result of increased selfishness and hatred throughout the world. Whatever we as inhabitants of this planet are doing it is not working, somehow it is not enough. Obviously we as humans can not achieve peace on our own. We need the help of the Lord.

JOHNSTOWN, PA [National ACRY] With the blessing of His Grace, Bishop Gregory, the National Senior ACRY is pleased to announce the 2016 Advent Mission Project. This year the National ACRY Board and Convention delegates voted to support ZOE for Life!™. ZOE for Life!™is a pan-Orthodox ,non-profit Christ-centered support organization with three major goals: to help women who need confidential emotional and spiritual support during crisis pregnancies; to assist Orthodox Christians seeking to adopt; and to provide an education for Pure Living and other resources. Zoe for Life through the Zoe House provides necessary baby supplies to mothers and babies in need.