JOHNSTOWN, PA --- His Grace, Bishop Gregory has been informed that he has been invited to serve as a member the Ecumenical Patriarchate's official delegation at the Holy and Great Council of the Orthodox Church, to be held from June 16-27 in Crete. For the first time in 1200 years, the primates of all 14 Orthodox autocephalous (or self-governed) Churches, along with more than 300 bishops and others, will meet to pray and discuss issues of common concern. According to the official press release issued by the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the composition of the delegation of the Ecumenical Patriarchate is as follows:

His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, President of the Holy and Great Council
His Eminence Archbishop Leo of Karelia and all Finland
His Eminence Metropolitan Stephanos of Tallinn and all Estonia
Read more...

JOHNSTOWN, PA [Christ The Saviour Seminary] -- On Wednesday, May 25th, Seminarian Andrew Wythe was honored at Seminary Commencement at Christ the Saviour Cathedral. A Moleben of Thanksgiving was celebrated by Very Rev. Protopresbyter Frank P. Miloro, Seminary Dean, with Protopresbyter Robert Buczak con-celebrating. His Grace, Bishop Gregory, presided. At the conclusion of the Service, Father Frank spoke, commending Seminarian Andrew for his diligent dedication to his studies in the three-year formation program. Bishop Gregory conferred the Diploma of Bachelor of Theology. Read more...

JOHNSTOWN, PA -- As previously announced, Diocesan Parishes who have not already done so are cordially invited to submit via email up to 3 photos of this year's Holy week and Paschal services for inclusion in a special photo gallery, "Pascha throughout the Diocese". 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 Orthodox Church throughout the world. This Holy Season, as His Grace, Bishop Gregory has reminded us in his Lenten Archpastoral Letter "is a time for self-examination and self-denial. We must take control of our lives and bodies with fasting in order to gain a greater awareness of our dependence on and relationship with God." 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 14th, 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...