DANBURY, CT - Saturday, September 16 was a day full of preparation as the parish of Holy Trinity Orthodox Church anxiously waited for the arrival of His Eminence, Metropolitan Nicholas. The visit of His Eminence was for the ordination of Deacon Gregory Justiniano to the Holy Priesthood. Born in San German, Puerto Rico, Fr. Deacon Gregory came to the United States with his family over 20 years ago. Not only was the church cleaned but site for the new church, presently under construction, was prepared for the Metropolitan to see the progress of the new church building. The visit began with the arrival of His Eminence, Metropolitan Nicholas, Fr. Andrew Bartek and seminarian, Reader Matthew Stagon. Vespers was served at Holy Trinity Orthodox Church with his Eminence, Metropolitan Nicholas presiding. The responses were lead by Fr. Peter Paproski, along with Fr. Michael Macura, Fr. Andrew Bartek, Sandi Fong, and Stephen Fong. The Vespers was served by Fr. Luke Mihaly, Deacon Robert Hubiak and Deacon Gregory Justiniano.

JOHNSTOWN, PA - On Monday, August 28th at Christ the Saviour Cathedral, His Eminence, Metropolitan Nicholas ordained Deacon Elijah Bremer to the Holy Priesthood. The ordination took place during the Divine Liturgy for the feast of the Dormition of the Most Holy Birth-giver of God, and the responses were sung in Church Slavonic by the Women's Choir of the Church of the Dormition in Jarabina, Slovakia. Attending His Eminence at the altar was: Very Rev. Frank Miloro, Dean and Cathedral Pastor, Very Rev. Hieromonk Matthias, Very Rev. Fr. Dan Donovan (retired, OCA), Rev. Fr. Jeff Zias, Rev. Fr. Michael Ellis, Rev. Fr. Matthew Moriak, and Rev. Fr. Matthew Conjelko. Protodeacon Emil Gulick and Hieromonk Matthias presented Deacon Elijah as a candidate for ordination, and Fr. Deacon Oleg Aminov served as second deacon. Also in attendance were other clergy from the Johnstown Deanery.

Inaugurating the 100th Anniversary of the transposition of the Carpatho-Rusin Plain Chant into Western Notation by Fr. John Boksaj; the Inauguration of the 50th Anniversary of the Diocesan Altar Boy Retreat Program; and the 20th Anniversary of the Diocesan Deacons' Retreat Program

JOHNSTOWN, PA - His Eminence, Metropolitan Nicholas, has announced the publication of a new quarterly youth ministry newsletter titled Day Light. While primarily geared for our youth, there will be columns with information for parents, pastors and youth workers.

JOHNSTOWN, PA - The 20th Diocesan Council/Sobor of the American Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Diocese which was held at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Old Greenwich, CT concluded today, after three days of prayer, education, deliberation and fellowship.

OLD GREENWICH, CT - His Eminence, Metropolitan Nicholas at the Tuesday General Sobor session reminded the clergy and delegates present that the Youth Census which was forwarded to all diocesan parishes by the Diocesan Apostolate for Youth has been completed by less than half of the parishes of the diocese. He stressed its absolute importance in effectively ministering to our diocesan youth. With the results of this census, a database with the names, addresses and contact information of all diocesan youth from birth to age 22 will be compiled. All parishes who have not completed it need to do so immediately and forward same to Fr. Andrew Fetchina.

Pentecost is not really the birthday of the Church, for the Church began with Creation, the bodiless powers, and Adam. Pentecost is, however, the celebration of something new and radically different, as Peter quoted the Prophet Joel in his homily: And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out My Spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions. For upon My servants and upon my handmaids in those days will I pour out of My Spirit, and they shall prophesy.

JOHNSTOWN, PA - His Eminence, Metropolitan Nicholas has announced today, that plans are underway for the Annual Altarboy's Retreat which will take place from June 25-28, 2006 at Christ the Saviour Seminary and Cathedral. The Very Rev. David Cochran has been appointed director of this year's retreat.

WASHINGTON, DC - His Eminence, Metropolitan Nicholas joined His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios, the Chairman of the Standing Conference of Canonical Orthodox Bishops (SCOBA) and Archbishop Antony of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the U.S.A. at the 55th National Day of Prayer at the White House.

I greet you in the joy and brightness of this Feast of Feasts! I welcome you to this celebration that is the wellspring of all gladness and delight! I invite you to enter, with faith and with love, into the beauty and peace of this Eternal Dawn! I bid you to rejoice, sing and exult, for Jesus Christ Who was Crucified, is now Risen from the Dead! Jesus Christ Who bore the weight of sorrows and shame, Who took away the sins of the world, Who was slain in darkness on Friday's Cross ... this same Jesus Who was beaten and pierced in shame is now the Risen Christ, Who shines in splendor, Who reigns in power, Who rejoices in triumph, Who has thrown down the Enemy in defeat forever, Who shouts the exultation of victory and majesty unto the ages of ages!