Diocesan Youth Apostolate Established
October 11, 2005
JOHNSTOWN, PA - His Eminence,
Metropolitan Nicholas announced his plans for the institution of the Diocesan
Apostolate for Youth Ministry. In a letter sent to all diocesan parishes, dated
October 5, 2005, His Eminence, as promised in his address at last month's
National ACRY Convention, further outlined his vision and goals of the apostolate. Underscoring His
conviction that such a youth ministry be a major diocesan priority, His
Eminence has announced his appointment of several diocesan priests to assist
him with this important new diocesan ministry and the commencement of their
work in early November.
The following is the text of His Eminence's letter:
Very Reverend and Reverend Fathers, Monastics, and Pious
Faithful of our God-fearing Diocese
Slava Isusu Christu! Glory to Jesus Christ!
Dear Fathers and Faithful:
With sincere hope and constant prayer, I am pleased to announce the
institution of a new Diocesan effort. By the authority invested in me by the
Ecumenical Patriarchate and theHoly Synod of Constantinople,
I hereby establish the Diocesan Apostolate for Youth Ministry.
In recognition of the increasingly materialistic and non-Christian forms
pervading our society, and of the escalating need for an equally effective
ministry to all our Diocesan Youth, I am appointing an Apostolate to pursue the
follow objectives:
(a) It will work to nurture Orthodox spirituality in the life of our
youth.
(b) It will work to educate our youth in the Orthodox response to modern
concerns and ethical issues.
(c) It will work to strengthen the commitment of our youth to their
families.
(d) It will seek to overturn the current problem of older youth leaving
Church life at 18, and returning back to Church only when their babies need to
be baptized and catechized. I will seek to strengthen the commitment of our
youth to their local parish and to the Diocese.
(e) It will seek to prepare our youth for the vocations of Orthodox
marriage and family in the modern age.
(f) It will seek to prepare young men and women for tonsure to the
monastic vocation, and young men for entry into the vocation of the priesthood.
One of the first programs to be accomplished by this Apostolate will be a
new annual Diocesan Youth Meeting to be held at Camp Nazareth.
The first such meeting will be held on the weekend of June 2- 4, 2006 in
conjunction with Family Day and the 3Oth Anniversary of Camp Nazareth.
This program, called NAZARETH
YOUTH SOJOURN, will be an intensive, enjoyable experience of Orthodox
spirituality, fellowship and vocational challenge.
The clergy listed below have been appointed to this Apostolate. They will
be meeting at Camp
Nazareth on November 7th
-8th for their primary and formative retreat.
Very Rev. Jonathan Tobias, Director
Rev. Andrew Fetchina, Secretary
Very Rev. Proto. Stephen Dutko, Historian
Very Rev. Proto. James Dutko, Assistant Historian
Very Rev. Proto. Kenneth Bachofsky
Very Rev. Mark Leasure
Very Rev. Peter Paproski
Very Rev. Samuel Sherry
Very Rev. Miles Zdinak
Rev. Michael Chendorain
Rev. Michael Ellis
Rev. Matthew Moriak
I ask you in light of the gravity of this urgent purpose to pray
fervently for the success and faithfulness of this Apostolate. The future is
the harvest field, ready for harvest and the future is today in the hearts of
our God-sent youth.
Assuring you of my supplications on your behalf, and my fondest
blessings, I remain
Most sincerely yours in Christ,
+ METROPOLITAN NICHOLAS
