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Diocesan Priests Convocation
APRIL 25-28, 2004
CAMP NAZARETH
From Sunday April 25 - Wednesday April 28, 2004, The Diocesan Priests gathered at Camp Nazareth, in Mercer PA for their biennial Priest's Convocation.
This Year's Conference centered on the theme: " PREACH THE WORD: BE PREPARED IN SEASON AND OUT OF SEASON..."
(II TIMOTHY 4:2)
The assembled clergy, who numbered more than 70, spent three days in prayer and study. Beginning each day with Paschal Matins and Divine Liturgy, those in attendance heard lectures delivered by diocesan priests, Fathers Kenneth Bachofsky, Lawrence Barriger, Jonathan Tobias and Edward Pehanich. Special guest lecturers included, Attorney Michael Vaporis and His Wife Pearl Berman, The Very Rev Fr. David Hester of the Antiochian Orthodox Church of Wilkes-Barre, PA, Professor of Patristics at St. Tikhon's Seminary, Fr. Ephrem Handal of the Melkite Church and Father Michael Nasser, Camp Director at the Antiochian Village, Ligonier, PA.
CAMP NAZARETH
From Sunday April 25 - Wednesday April 28, 2004, The Diocesan Priests gathered at Camp Nazareth, in Mercer PA for their biennial Priest's Convocation.
This Year's Conference centered on the theme: " PREACH THE WORD: BE PREPARED IN SEASON AND OUT OF SEASON..."
(II TIMOTHY 4:2)
The assembled clergy, who numbered more than 70, spent three days in prayer and study. Beginning each day with Paschal Matins and Divine Liturgy, those in attendance heard lectures delivered by diocesan priests, Fathers Kenneth Bachofsky, Lawrence Barriger, Jonathan Tobias and Edward Pehanich. Special guest lecturers included, Attorney Michael Vaporis and His Wife Pearl Berman, The Very Rev Fr. David Hester of the Antiochian Orthodox Church of Wilkes-Barre, PA, Professor of Patristics at St. Tikhon's Seminary, Fr. Ephrem Handal of the Melkite Church and Father Michael Nasser, Camp Director at the Antiochian Village, Ligonier, PA.
Monday Evening, Fr. Ephrem Handal of the Melkite Church delivered an informative lecture about the rise of Islam in the world and in America and the challenges it presents to the Church.
His Eminence Metropolitan Nicholas along with the Very Rev. Protopresbyter Thomas Hopko, dean emeritus of St. Vladimir's Seminary, a special guest, pose with the convocation speakers. From left to right: Fr. Edward Pehanich, Fr. Michael Nassar, Fr. Kenneth Bachofsky, Fr. Thomas Hopko, Metropolitan Nicholas, Fr. Jonathan Tobias and Fr. David Hester.
Attorney Michael N. Vaporis and his wife Dr. Pearl S. Berman, Indiana University, PA Psychology Department gave the afternoon presentation entitled "Overview of Sexual Abuse and Reporting Requirements."
Monday began with the singing of Paschal Matins in the Majestic Saints Cyril and Methodios Church.
The Rev. Dr. Edward Pehanich was the first presenter on Tuesday. He spoke on the topic " Heal the sick who are there and tell them, 'The Kingdom of God is near you.' (Luke 10:9): Ministry in the time of sickness.
The Diocesan Priest Convocation officially opened Sunday evening, April 26th with welcoming remarks by His Eminence, Metropolitan Nicholas
Group Photo of His Eminence, Metropolitan Nicholas and the Convocation Participants.
The second presentation took place after breakfast on Monday and was entitled " Discerning the Face of Christ: Understanding Allegory and Typology and their use in preaching." This lecture was prepared by The Very Rev. Protopresbyter Lawrence Barriger. It was delivered by the Very Rev. Jonathan Tobias. Fr. Jonathan also spoke on Tuesday on the topic "Speak Lord, Your Servant is Listening": Preaching in the Orthodox Church today."
The first presenter of the conference was the Very Rev. Protopresbyter Kenneth Bachofsky, who spoke on Sunday evening on the Topic, "The Historical Witness of Preaching in the Orthodox Church"
The first presenter of the conference was the Very Rev. Protopresbyter Kenneth Bachofsky, who spoke on Sunday evening on the Topic, "The Historical Witness of Preaching in the Orthodox Church"
Fathers David Cochran, Mark Leisure and Mark Tyson, led the Plain Chant Responses to the Monday Morning, (April 26th) Paschal Matins and Divine Liturgy in the Majestic Saints Cyril and Methodios Church.
The Very Rev. Protodeacon Robert Buczak intones the Great Litany at the Monday Morning Hierarchical Liturgy which was celebrated by His Eminence Metropolitan Nicholas and members of the Diocesan Consistory.
Following noon prayers in the Camp Church, His Eminence, Metropolitan Nicholas spoke to the assembled clergy about the need to encourage vocations to the Holy Priesthood.