His Grace Bishop Gregory of Nyssa Is Consecrated and Enthroned As  The Fourth Ruling Hierarch of the American Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Diocese

 

JOHNSTOWN, PA -- [Christ the Saviour Cathedral] Having submitted to the Will of Almighty God and after offering a sincere profession of faith, His Grace Bishop Gregory has become, today, the fourth ruling Bishop of the American Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Diocese of the USA and Canada through the laying-on-of-hands by His Eminence, Archbishop Demetrios of America, Exarch of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople at Christ the Saviour Cathedral.

More than 500 clergy and faithful gathered at the Diocesan Christ The Saviour Cathedral to take part in this historic moment in the life of the Diocese. Bishop Gregory's family members and long time friends and Diocesan faithful alike shared in the joy of His Grace's ascension to the ranks of the Episcopacy. After nearly eighteen months of waiting on the Lord, a worthy shepherd has been sent to the Diocese to take up the mantle of His Eminence, Metropolitan Nicholas, of Thrice-Blessed Memory.

The chorus of AXIOS! AXIOS! AXIOS! ( He is WORTHY!) thundered throughout the Church time and time again during the Hierarchical Liturgy, as His Grace, Bishop Gregory was vested and enthroned. The joy of the day was complete when His Grace ascended the Episcopal Throne, which has not been occupied by any Hierarch since the passing of Metropolitan Nicholas.

The faithful of the Diocese felt much comfort during these past eighteen months in the spiritual protection of the Mother Church of Constantinople in the persons of His All-Holiness, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I and His Eminence, Archbishop Demetrios of America who served as Locum Tenens of the Diocese. It was fitting that His Eminence was blessed by His All-Holiness, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, to be the main Consecrator of His Grace, Bishop Gregory and that he was assisted by His Eminence, Metropolitan Alexios of Atlanta, who in an act of Christian love and concern released His Spiritual Son, His Grace, Bishop Gregory for service in the Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Diocese.

Other Co-Consecrators included His Eminence, Metropolitan Savas of the neighboring Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Pittsburgh, PA who presided over the Canonical Election of His Grace, Bishop Gregory by the Holy and Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate; and His Eminence, Metropolitan Antony and His Grace, Bishop Daniel of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA who offered great assistance to the Diocese during and after the illness and repose of Metropolitan Nicholas.

Bishops of other Faiths present included: Bishop Joseph Bartchak of the Altoona-Johnstown Roman Catholic Diocese; Bishop-Emeritus Joseph Adamec of the Altoona-Johnstown Roman Catholic Diocese; Bishop Gregory Pile of the Lutheran Church, Allegheny Synod; Metropolitan Archbishop William Skurla of the Byzantine Catholic Archeparchy of Pittsburgh; and Bishop-Emeritus Basil Losten of the Ukrainian Byzantine Catholic Diocese of Stamford.

The festivities of the day continue with an afternoon celebratory banquet at the Pasquerella Community Center in downtown Johnstown where the clergy and faithful will have the opportunity to break bread and share in the joy of the day.

Diocesan faithful and friends are encouraged to follow the day's events as they continue to unfold on the Diocesan Facebook Page where it is anticipated that photos and/or short video clips will be posted. Watch for the posting later this evening and early Wednesday of photo galleries and the complete video of the Consecration Liturgy at www.acrod.org/consecration .