In the beginning, God created the world, the universe, and all that is therein. From the dust of the earth, He formed the body of the first man Adam and breathed life into him. From Adam's side, He extracted a rib and formed with it the body of his helpmate Eve. Together Adam and Eve lived in peace. harmony, purity, and sinlessness But then Satan caused them to sin, and the first couple fell from grace and were cast out of Paradise due to their pride and disobedience. Mankind became brutish and beast like. Disease, corruption, and death entered into the world. But even from that very moment, God had already made His promise of salvation to His children.

JOHNSTOWN, PA - His Eminence, Metropolitan Nicholas, was invited to participate in the Saturday August 23rd Program by Father Christopher Metropulos, Pastor of St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, the founder and editor of the radio program.

After the creation of the world and the fall of mankir1d from grace, the lord God Almighty began His work with mankind anew. In the Garden of Eden, the progenitors of the race of man, Adam and Eve, walked and talked with God their Father as intimates, as loving and obedient children of a loving Father. Even more, they were friends of God. All of that changed because of their disobedience, however. And from that moment God already set in motion His plan to re-instate human beings to ttlat very same privilege and dignity. But this would take timeJ of course, and God dea:t with His People in increasing degrees by which they would be brought back to their original state.

JOHNSTOWN, PA - In the Tradition of our ancestors in the Carpatho-Rusyn homelands, His Eminence, Metropolitan Nicholas extends an invitation to the youth of our Diocese and all Christ-loving souls to take part in a Pilgrimage to Camp Nazareth for the Consecration of Saints Cyril and Methodios Church. A Pilgrim's Camp is being established at Camp Nazareth on Friday night August 15 for all who desire to participate in this once-in-a-lifetime event. An evening campfire and a candlelight Compline Service at the camp site, will be the highlights of Friday evening's campout. The pilgrims will join Metropolitan Nicholas in the procession from his camp residence to Sts. Cyril & Methodios Church.

As we come yet again to the Resurrection of the Lord, to this holiest of seasons, Queen of Feasts, the Feast of Feasts, and the Great Day, the question of the Myrrh-bearing Women challenges all of us: Who will roll the stone away for us from the entrance of the tomb?

JOHNSTOWN, PA. A segment of the weekly Orthodox Christian radio program Come Receive the Light was recorded at the Diocesan Chancery yesterday. His Eminence, Metropolitan Nicholas, was invited to participate in the Paschal Program by Father Christopher Metropulos, Pastor of St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, the founder and editor of the radio program. His Eminence will be joined on the program by His Eminence, Archbishop Demetrios of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America and Metropolitan Herman of the Orthodox Church in America.

Even before the Lenten Triodion begins, we already hear echoes in the message of the Theophany season of this major theme of the Great Fast; during this Feast, we hear the words of St. John the Forerunner as recorded in the Gospel of St. Matthew 3:2: "...Repent, for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand." In the very next chapter, our Lord Himself reiterates the exact words of John. It is only then that He begins His public ministry.

This January 22nd marks the Thirtieth Anniversary of the Supreme Court ruling that legalized abortion. That means that by this January, over 40 million babies have been killed, legally in this nation. And you should know that this number is probably wrong, as it likely errs very much on the low side.

I greet you in the joyful expectation of the Civil New Year. I look forward to serving the Lord and His Church in the year 2003, and, I pray that we will share in the confident hope, the steadfast faithfulness and the comforting zeal of Christ and His glorious grace.

JOHNSTOWN, PA - The weekend of December 13-15, 2002 was an especially memorable one for a large number of our diocesan deacons, sub-deacons and readers. This year, 23 men gathered for the annual deacons, sub-deacons and readers retreat which was hosted by Christ the Saviour Seminary. Recognizing the continual need for vocations to holy orders, several years ago His Eminence, Metropolitan Nicholas, initiated this annual retreat in conjunction with the Diocesan Readers and Deacons Formation Program. Over the years, many vocations to the deaconate and the Holy Priesthood have been fostered through the paternal care and interest of His Eminence. As always, the retreat participants were humbled by the genuine concern and interest of Metropolitan Nicholas who made the spiritually uplifting weekend possible.