I greet you with great joy and love in the Name of our Incarnate Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! I give thanks to Almighty God by whose grace we have been given the opportunity to celebrate the Birth of His Son. Looking around, we still see hatred, mistrust, violence, suffering, and the absence of peace in our world. This reality of life in this world makes us cry out for God’s help, assistance and intervention. The holy gift of God’s Son at Christmas reveals to us His love and care for all humanity. As human beings, we are awed by the miracle of God becoming man: the divine glory revealed in a child born in poor circumstances, the omnipotent Creator a little baby in His Mother’s arms. Read more...

My beloved Faithful Clergy and Laity of our God-Protected Diocese: It is hard to believe that this month marks the third anniversary of my Consecration and Enthronement as your Bishop. I have enjoyed travelling throughout the Diocese and visiting your parishes and getting to know you. I have been encouraged that while the majority of our Diocesan parishes are small in size, the clergy and faithful who labor in the Vineyard of the Lord are doing much to further the Kingdom of Heaven on Earth. As you have heard me preach, I am deeply concerned about the state of affairs in the world. There is strife and conflict in every corner of the globe, including our own country, our local communities and even our families. Read more...

JOHNSTOWN, PA - The Chancery is pleased to announce that registration for the 2015 College Conferences is now open. The conferences will be held during Christmas Break in two locations: St. Nicholas Ranch in Dunlap, Calif and Antiochian Village in Bolivar, Pa.; each centering on Orthodox Christian Fellowship's (OCF) theme for the year - "Modern Martyrs: Witnesses of the Word." This College Conference theme will address our calling to be martyrs for Christ by being witnesses of the Faith. As college students living in a secularized world, there are numerous opportunities for us as Orthodox Christians to be witnesses/martyrs for Christ on college campuses: in the dorm room, on social media, and in every aspect of our lives. This theme will also address the current-day persecution of Christians and provide some insights into how we can best aid our Christian brothers and sisters across the globe. Read more...

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 [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...