TORONTO [St John the Compassionate Mission] - Fr. Zacharias from the monastery founded by Fr Sophrony, the disciple of St Silouan of Athos is coming to St John the Compassionate Mission in February 2014. Fr Zacharias is the author of several books on the spiritual life and is in much demand as a speaker and spiritual guide. He has visited the USA several times but this is his first visit to Toronto. During his visit, from February 12th to 16th he will give three retreats at the Mission.

JOHNSTOWN, PA -- [National ACRY] In keeping with the missionary spirit of the ACRY, Nate Choma, a student at Kent State University, will be joining a team of Orthodox College Students on an Orthodox Christian Fellowship (OCF) sponsored Real Break short term missionary trip to Romania from March 22-29, 2014. The student team will travelling to Valea Plopului, a remote village about 70 miles north of Bucharest, Romania. This community takes care of about 220 orphans, handicapped children and children from families with financial hardships. The orphanage is a ministry of the Pro Vita Association, an Orthodox, non-profit, non-governmental organization. The association receives no help from the Romanian state. It is the families in Valea Plopului who support these children. Because these villagers earn their living through agricultural activities and small crafts, their incomes are extremely small. Unfortunately, despite their goodwill and desire to help the children, the adults are often not able to offer the children an appropriate healthy meal.With the income from the selling of religious objects (icons, painted wooden crosses made in their workshops) and some limited donations, the orphanage has managed to acquire two peasant bread ovens, some animals, and two cars needed for the transportation of basic food supplies, construction material, and agricultural produce. Students on this trip will work on maintenance projects

MORGANTOWN, WV - Members of the St. Mary’s Orthodox Church in Westover held their annual commemoration of Jesus’ baptism Saturday, at the Edith Barill Riverfront Park boat ramp in Star City. A steady rain didn’t dampen the spirits of two dozen or so who sang hymns, read Scripture and prayed in the riverside gazebo. “It’s really a special blessing and we view the rain as a little bit of a blessing in and of itself. We know that God is with us,” the Rev. Matthew Stagon said. “It’s better that it rains than it’s snowy and icy and people can’t get here.” Fr. Stagon blessed the water of the Monongahela River and asked for a blessing for everyone near and far whose lives the water will touch, including the entire Morgantown community.

JOHNSTOWN, PA - The Diocesan Chancery has been informed that +Peter Kralick, the father of Pani Barbara Psenechnuk fell asleep in the Lord on January 8, 2014. Born in Shenandoah, Pa., Mr. Kralick moved to Jersey City, N.J., in 1929, then Elizabeth, N.J., residing in Garwood since 1951. Mr. Kralick was an Army Air Corps veteran

JOHNSTOWN, PA -- The schedule of His Grace, Bishop Gregory of Nyssa for January - February 2014, has been released by the Diocesan Chancery.

JOHNSTOWN [Christ the Saviour Cathedral] -- The Divine Services of Christmas Eve and Christmas Day (January 6-7, 2014)at Christ the Saviour Cathedral will be live-streamed on the internet. The Christmas Eve broadcast will begin at 7:45 pm. The broadcast of the Christmas morning Divine Liturgy will begin at 9:00 am on Tuesday, January 7, 2014.