Press Releases

In the act of CREATION, we see the Triune God at work; all things are made new out of nothing. In the act of REDEMPTION, again we see the Triune God at work, recreating and renewing what had been corrupted by man's fall. Read more...

His Eminence, Metropolitan Nicholas has announced today, that plans are underway for the Annual Altarboy's Retreat which will take place from June 24-27, 2007 at Christ the Saviour Seminary and Cathedral. The Very Rev. David Cochran has been appointed director of this year's retreat. Read more...

BOSTON, MA - In a confidential letter to Recep Tayyip Erdogan dated August 28, 2003 (Protocol Number 801), just a few months after Mr. Erdogan was elected prime minister of Turkey, His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople importunes the Turkish Government to change its policies and political stance towards the Patriarchate. In his letter, the Patriarch noted that, "in the year 1927, 100 thousand Greeks lived in Constantinople. Today, that number has been shrunk to 2,000 and even less," and refers to the "extermination" of the Greek Orthodox population in Constantinople (present-day Istanbul). Read more...

BINGHAMTON, NY - One of the oldest and still functioning Orthodox priests in the diocese, in the United States and in the world is the Very Rev. Protopresbyter Stephen Dutko, pastor emeritus of St. Michael's church here. Having marked his 90th birthday on January 3, he is now celebrating the 65th anniversary of his Ordination to the Holy Priesthood. His Eminence, Metropolitan Nicholas, will join faithful at St. Michael's on Sunday, May 6th to share in the joy of this historic jubilee. Read more...

This past September 7, I attended a lecture at the University of Utah, "Perspectives on Turkey-E.U. Relations," the ninth panel discussion of the University's 2006 Middle East & Asia: Politics, Economics & Society Conference in Salt Lake City. The first speaker, Dr. Sadeq Rahimi, professor of Trans-Cultural Psychiatry at Harvard, addressed an issue he considered mandatory when discussing Turkey and the European Union. Read more...

As you are aware, His All-Holiness, Patriarch Bartholomew, has proclaimed this 2007 calendar year as the "Year of St. John Chrysostom." As a Diocese we join the Orthodox world in remembering this great Saint of the Holy Church on the 1600th anniversary of his falling asleep in the Lord. In reflecting upon the life, witness and influence of St. John, it is clear why he is ranked among the greatest of Saints and heralded as the "golden-mouthed" preacher of the ages. His words were truly inspired by the Spirit, flowing from the wellspring of Divine wisdom. They continue to invite all to the true knowledge of God and offer practical advice for the life of piety and holiness. Read more...

Tragedy comes in many forms and faces. It is not new to us. It has visited our nation once again, this time in Blacksburg, Virginia at Virginia Tech University. Its form is senseless. Its face is brutal. Thirty-two lives - the majority of them aspiring students, the others, distinguished educators - were snuffed out without warning on the morning of April 16 by a lone gunman in a senseless shooting spree. Although we do not understand this tragedy, nor did the victims do anything to precipitate it, nevertheless it happened. Read more...

JOHNSTOWN, PA - His Eminence, Metropolitan Nicholas has issued the following statement regarding the Catastrophic Flood Affecting the New Jersey Deanery Read more...

On that Resurrection morning, while it was still dark, this was the question and the problem that perplexed those myrrh-bearing women disciples of the Lord. We know that the stone was "very large" and cumbersome according to the Gospel account. From historical and cultural knowledge of the times, we know that it was a massive stone disk that was rolled into a groove in the ground before the entrance of the tomb. Once it was set in place, it was not meant to be moved. It certainly could not be rolled up and out of that groove easily. It would take several strong men to accomplish the task. How then could this small group of fragile, tired, and aging women do it? They were worn out from the tragic events of the past few days and were still in the throes of grief at the death of their Master and their Friend. And now they were even more troubled and plagued by the thought that they might not be able to complete the traditional burial ritual of their people upon their beloved Lord. The stone barred their way! You can imagine, then, what joy and excitement filled their hearts and minds as they approached the tomb, looked up, and found the stone ALREADY rolled back. And then news rang out in their ears, "He is not here; He is risen as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay!" (Matthew 28:6) Read more...

I am pleased to announce the celebration of the Feast of Our Lady of the Life-Giving Font on Friday, April 13th. Resurrection Matins will be served at 9 am at the Sts. Cyril and Methodios Camp Church, with the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy at 10 am, with a procession around the church. A paschal meal will be served in the Dining Hall afterwards. I heartily encourage clergy and faithful to attend, especially those who are in the vicinity of Camp Nazareth. I mean this celebration of Bright Friday at Camp Nazareth to be an annual event, so I expect your best effort to attend, and to encourage your parishioners to participate as well. Read more...