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 on March 11th I wanted to share with you a few thoughts so that we may journey through the season and arrive safely at the Great Feast of Feasts, Holy Pascha with the proper frame of mind.

Great Lent is a period of increased activity for the active Orthodox Christian. Our prayer, fasting, and almsgiving must increase. Attendance at Church services (of which there are many) and spiritual reading must increase. We must increase our self-examination, reflection and confession. Great Lent is also a period of decreased activity for the active Orthodox Christian. We should show restraint in our normal “outside of Lent” lifestyle. We should reduce our watching of television, listening to the radio, surfing the internet, going to concerts and movies. Great Lent is not just about what we eat, but more importantly how we live.

In our prayer life the Prayer of St. Ephraim the Syrian is read each week day during Great Lent. Read more...

PERTH AMBOY, NJ -- On Sunday, January 13, the faithful of St. John the Baptist Church in Perth Amboy, NJ hosted a surprise celebration honoring Protodeacon Gregory Benc’s 20th Anniversary of Ordination. The celebration began with Divine Liturgy, during which Protodeacon Gregory assisted the celebrant, Fr. Michael Chendorain. A sermon was prepared by Diocesan Chancellor, Protopresbyer Fr. Frank Miloro who was unable to attend at the last minute. Over 160 people were present for the liturgical celebration. Following the Divine Liturgy, a celebratory brunch was held in the parish hall which was filled with family, friends and parishioners. The honoree was presented with gifts by the parish and the parish choir for his dedicated service. Very Rev. Fr. Michael Chendorain, pastor, toasted the honoree before he addressed those gathered. In his speech, Fr. Deacon Gregory gave thanks to his parents for raising him in a devout Christian home and to the late Metropolitan Nicholas for seeing in him the desire and ability to serve Christ’s Holy Church. Read more...

Dear Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

I greet you with joy and love in the Name of our Incarnate Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Let us give thanks to Almighty God, by whose grace we have been given the opportunity to celebrate the Birth of His Son.

If we look around, we find hatred, mistrust, suffering, and the absence of peace and love in our homes, neighborhoods, cities, country, and in fact the whole world. This reality in life makes us cry out for God’s help, assistance, and intervention.

My beloved ones, despite all the suffering, sorrow and injustice in our world, today joy and hope comes to us once more. That’s why at this blessed time of the year we look forward to the arrival of the new born King.

Therefore let us celebrate the miracle of His Birth. Let kindness come with every gift. Let compassion, forgiveness and love come with every greeting. Let our hearts be filled with prayer, charity, and reconciliation for one another. Read more...

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 Eminence, Metropolitan Gregory of Nyssa, the Diocesan Chancery Staff, The Diocesan Board of Trustees 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. Read more...