JOHNSTOWN, PA [Diocesan Chancery] --The 2022 Virtual Pani Retreat took place on the morning of February 12th, opening with a prayer by his Eminence Metropolitan Gregory and some enjoyable catching up od the Panis with each other. The Pani sisterhood had the pleasure of hosting Dr. Vasiliki Tsigas-Fotinis, who was asked to speak to them on the book of Psalms. This was a lively and very timely topic as the Psalter is often read by faithful Orthodox Christians during Great Lent.

Vasiliki encouraged the Panis to practice praying, singing, and dancing the Psalms. Praying the Psalms perhaps comes most easily since we hear the Psalms prayed frequently during our services. Vasiliki shared that we can pray them by reading through or reciting the Psalms in sections, one Psalm or even one verse at a time. Read more...

JOHNSTOWN, PA -- With the setting of the sun and the celebration of Forgiveness Vespers this evening, the season of The Great Fast has been ushered in throughout our God-Saved Diocese and the entire Orthodox Church.

This Holy Season, as His Eminence, Metropolitan Gregory has reminded us in his Lenten Archpastoral Letter, is a time for increased "... self-examination, reflection and confession.... Great Lent is not just about what we eat, but more importantly how we live."

To assist the faithful in making the most of this holy season, additional resources have been added to our Diocesan Website. Read more...

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

As we begin Holy and Great Lent this year on March 7th, I want to share with you a few thoughts so that we may journey through this reflective period and arrive at the Great Feast of Feasts, Pascha to receive the Resurrected Christ.

We are reminded that there can be no true fast, no genuine repentance, no reconciliation with God, unless we at the same time reconcile with one another. In this holiest period of the ecclesiastical year, we should honestly examine our relationships with our families, our parish families, friends, neighbors, co-workers, and the Church in general. Read more...

JOHNSTOWN, PA  [Diocesan Chancery] -- His Eminence Metropolitan Gregory is pleased to announce that, this year,  we will resume our Diocesan in-person regional Lenten Retreat Program.  The dates and preliminary details for  the upcoming Lenten Retreats are as follows:

Central Lenten Regional Retreat - Sat March 19, 2022  - St. Nicholas Orthodox Church in Homestead, PA.  Adult Retreat Master is Fr. Stephen Loposky. Deadline for Registration is March 12, 2022. 

Eastern Regional Lenten Retreat (co-sponsored by the Ukrainian Orthodox Youth League) - Sat April 2, 2022 - St Francis Center For Renewal, Bethlehem, PA - Adult Retreat Master is Fr. Anthony Perkins.  Theme: Jesus Remember Me When You Come Into Your Kingdom: The Services of Holy Week.  Registration Deadline: March 22, 2022.

Western Region Retreat - Sat April 2, 2022 - Chicago Deanery.  More details to follow. Read more...

JOHNSTOWN, PA  [Diocesan Chancery] -- The American Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Diocese, the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Pittsburgh Y2AM and the Ukrainian Orthodox League invite Young Adults  ages 18-35 to come retreat to Camp Nazareth from March 25-27, 2022 for a weekend with other Orthodox Young Adults from all jurisdictions. 

The theme of the weekend event is  Forming Christ-Centered Relationships,   and it will feature presentations by Fr. Chris and Khouria Sophia Shadid.  The weekend event will be filled with learning, fun, fellowship, worship, and time for reflection and rejuvenation! Read more...