JOHNSTOWN, PA [Tribune-Democrat] - Sixty-seven altar boys from 13 states are in Johnstown this week for a retreat that mixes faith and fun. The three-day event brings together altar boys, who range in age from 8 to 18, and leaders of the American Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Diocese for education, prayer and fellowship. The retreat is being held at Christ the Saviour Cathedral on Garfield Street and this year focuses around the theme of “To Serve is to Love.” “I want you to not be just an altar boy, but be the best altar boy and be ready to service the Lord,” Bishop Gregory of Nyssa, bishop of the American Carpatho-Russian Diocese, said to the boys after celebrating Divine Liturgy with them on Tuesday. “Take the theme of this retreat and put it in your heart and love the Lord.” The retreat balances spiritual and fun activities and shows the boys that the priesthood is a viable and worthy vocation. Participants also have the opportunity to bond and learn how to be leaders. Bishop Gregory said the purpose of the retreat is to encourage the boys to pursue the priesthood. “Our priests are getting older and retiring, and we will need new priests, and if they aren’t coming from this group then where?” he said. Read more...

JOHNSTOWN, PA - The Chancery has been informed that Kerya Brisbane, the wife of Deacon Edward Brisbane of St. Nicholas Orthodox Church in Warren, Ohio, fell-asleep in the Lord on Saturday June 27, 2015. The funeral arrangements are as follow: On Monday, July 6th at Staton-Borowski Funeral Home - 962 North Road, N.E. Warren, Ohio - The Funeral Service will be served beginning at 4:30 p.m. On Tuesday, July 7th the Divine Liturgy will be served at 10:00 a.m. at the St. Nicholas Orthodox Church in Warren, Ohio. Read more...

JOHNSTOWN, PA [Diocesan Chancery] -- This evening more than 100 of our Diocesan youth arrived safely at Christ the Saviour Cathedral in Johnstown for the Annual Diocesan Altarboy Retreat, and at Sts Peter and Paul Church in Windber, PA for the Annual Young Women's Encounter. During the next three days, the altar boys and young women of our Diocese will have the opportunity in their own venue to spend time in prayer, learning, fellowship and service. Taking inspiration from the Scriptural verse, "Live as free men, yet without using your freedom as a pretext for evil; but live as servants of God." - 1 Peter 2:16, the theme of this year's altar boy retreat is “To Serve is to Love…” In addition to interactive discussions on the retreat theme, instruction in Plain Chant Singing, Read more...

JOHNSTOWN, PA -- [Diocesan Chancery] The Diocesan Chancery has been informed that Reader Andrew Talarovich, Jr. of St. Nicholas Orthodox Church in Homestead, PA, reposed in the Lord suddenly on Saturday, June 27, 2015. Andrew, age 52, was the son of the late Andrew Sr. and Katherine (Rethi) Talarovich; brother of Michael Joseph (Rachel) Talarovich of Pittsburgh, PA and Kathryn (James) Brackin of Indiana, PA; uncle of Heather (Brent) Blose; great uncle of Aiden Hill; also survived by aunts, uncles, cousins and many, many friends. Andrew was a former cantor at SS. Peter and Paul Orthodox Church in Homer City, and was the present cantor and choir director at St. Nicholas Orthodox Church in Homestead. Read more...

JOHNSTOWN, PA -- The schedule of His Grace, Bishop Gregory of Nyssa for June through August 2015, has been released by the Diocesan Chancery. Read more...