JOHNSTOWN, PA - [Diocesan Chancery] -- With profound sadness the Diocesan Chancery announces that Pani Dorothy Hutnyan, the wife of the late Protopresbyter George Hutnyan reposed in the Lord on Friday December 23, 2022 at St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital surrounded by her family.

Dorothy was born August 8, 1932, in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, a daughter of the late Charles and Eva Martyak Gost, and came to the Youngstown area in 1955.

As we celebrate this joyous Feast of the Nativity in the flesh of our Lord, God and Saviour Jesus Christ, I wish to share with you one of my favorite Christmas homilies from the Church Fathers concerning this day. St.  John Chrysostom. spoke on the Incarnation with these words:

I behold a new and wondrous mystery! My ears resound to the shepherd's song, piping no soft melody, but loudly chanting a heavenly hymn!

JOHNSTOWN, PA - [Diocesan Chancery] -- With profound sadness the Diocesan Chancery announces that + Very Rev. Protopresbyter John Duranko , age 91,  reposed in the Lord on December on December 8, 2022 at his home, surrounded by his family.

Fr. John was born in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, on June 11, 1931, son of the late John and Anna (Duray) Duranko. After graduating from Johnstown High School, he enrolled in Christ the Saviour Seminary in 1951 and was the first seminarian from Christ the Saviour Cathedral Parish in Johnstown, PA, to study for the priesthood graduating in 1955.  Fr. John married the former Patricia Ann Czarnecki on November 2, 1957, and was ordained on November 10, 1957, by Metropolitan Orestes P. Chornock.  His first assignment was St. Nicholas Church in Gary, IN.  He also served as Dean of the Chicago Deanery during that time.

JOHNSTOWN, PA – [National ACRY] – The National ACRY is pleased to announce the start of its “Food for All” campaign which will run in conjunction with the annual stewardship campaign (December 2nd through February 21 st ).  The goal of this program is for a concerted effort within our communities across all ACRY chapters, both Jr. and Sr., as well as diocesan churches, who may not have an ACRY chapter, to provide food assistance within our communities in ways  both big and small. In addition, we wish to collect data on our efforts so it can be shared with everyone across the ACRY and the diocese

JOHNSTOWN, PA -- With gratitude to Almighty God, the clergy and the faithful of the American Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Diocese extend their heartfelt congratulations and best wishes, today - November 27, 2022 to His Eminence, Metropolitan Gregory of Nyssa on the Tenth anniversary of his Consecration and Enthronement as Ruling Diocesan Bishop. Today is also His Eminence's Name's Day, St Gregory Palamas, as celebrated on the Julian Calendar.

JOHNSTOWN, PA -- It is proper and just to sing to You, to bless You, to praise You, to thank You, to worship You in every place of Your kingdom, for You are God, ineffable, inconceivable, invisible, incomprehensible, ever existing yet ever the same, You and Your only-begotten Son and Your Holy Spirit. You brought us out of non-existence into being and, when we had fallen, You raised us up again, and left nothing undone to lead us to heaven and to bestow upon us Your future kingdom. For all this we give thanks to You and to Your only-begotten Son and Your Holy Spirit, for all that we know and do not know

JOHNSTOWN, PA  [ACROD & National ACRY] - Time to put yourself into this year’s ACRY Annual! Please give special attention to instructions below on how to submit photographs and sponsorships to the ACRY Annual, as well as their deadlines. It is a joy to share with you that this is the 75th annual publication of the ACRY Annual, marking this a special occasion. And on behalf of staff both past and present, thank you for your support. Through your prayers and good work, God has blessed us to be able to continue this work in Christ’s vineyard. Our yearbook works hard to spread the teachings of the Orthodox Faith and to present the work of our Diocese, parishes, and ACRY organizations to different parishes and jurisdictions across the country. Every book you purchase, every page you sponsor, and every copy you share furthers the work being done.

Dear Beloved Clergy and Laity of our God-Protected Diocese,

Glory to Jesus Christ!

We now embark on our annual journey to Bethlehem. The Church, as a wise and loving mother, knows that we need preparation in order to reap the spiritual fruits of celebrating Our Lord’s theophany—the “manifestation of God” in His Incarnation, Birth, and Baptism. Yet, while we often sing “let us lay aside all earthly cares” in the Cherubic Hymn of the Divine Liturgy, it seems that our earthly cares increase exponentially during these last two months of the year.

JOHNSTOWN, PA – [Diocesan Chancery]  The long-awaited launch of the newly re-designed website of  the American Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Diocese of North America has  taken place as the time of the XXVth  Diocesan Council – Sobor draws near.

The newly designed website was made possible through a collaborative effort  between  the ACROD  Information Technology  Apostolate  and  the  Greek Orthodox Archdiocese Department of Internet Ministries.    It is the result of  more than two years of  prayer and reflection on the  living history of the Diocese.

The graphic design is vibrant and warm is designed to change  its color palate in keeping with the changing festal/ liturgical season of the Church Year.

JOHNSTOWN, PA - [Diocesan Chancery] -- With profound sadness the Diocesan Chancery announces that + Very Rev. Fr. Tony Joseph  reposed in the Lord on Wed, October 5, 2022.

Fr. Tony was born on July 20, 1938. He is survived by his son Tony R. Joseph, married to Mary (Lashly), Kitty Hawk; daughter Tricia L. Honeycutt married to Craig, Nags Head; granddaughter Vera Bay Honeycutt, who put the twinkle in his eyes; granddaughter Amber King, Tallahassee, Fl; sister Sandy Joseph married to Malcolm Vosburgh, Maryland; sister Jeannette Mortensen married to Fred, New Mexico; and dear friend Sarah Hajduk, Maryland. He is also survived by sisters- and brothers-in-law, cousins, nephews and nieces. He was preceded in death by his parents, Tony and Eva Joseph of Windber, his sister Antionette Joseph, and his loving wife of 59 years, Patsy (Bartko) Joseph.

JOHNSTOWN, PA - [Diocesan Chancery] -- With profound sadness the Diocesan Chancery announces that + Rev. Fr.  Peter Benyo reposed in the Lord on August 8, 2022 while in retirement in Baja California, Mexico.

Fr. Peter Benyo was born on September 25, 1942 In New York, NY.   He studied at Spring Hill College, Mobile, AL graduating with a BS in History Education in 1965.  Father Peter Benyo studied in the Diaconate Program of the Diocese at Annunciation Center, Tuxedo Park, NY from 1991 to 1993.  He was ordained a Deacon on April 10, 1994 by the late Metropolitan Nicholas Smisko.   He furthered his studies for priesthood at Christ the Saviour Seminary from 1996-1998 graduating with a Licentiate of Theology Degree. 

JOHNSTOWN, PA - [Diocesan Chancery] -- With profound sadness the Diocesan Chancery announces that Pani Joan Wine, the sister of Pani Marie Brancho, reposed in the Lord on Friday August 12, 2022.

Pani Joan  was born in Johnstown, PA., to the late Andrew and Theresa (Komisar) Kerestesy, she was preceded in death by her husband of 49 years the Very Rev. Fr. David Wine. Joan was a 1954 graduate of Johnstown High School and a very active member of St. Mary Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Church in Akron. She was a member of the Girl Scouts and a troop leader.

BROOKLINE, MA – [Orthodox Christian Fellowship] College students across the country are returning to campus. Orthodox Christian Fellowship (OCF) will be there to offer them rich community in Christ, inspiring a life-long love of God and neighbor.

In recognition of students coming back to school and with thanks to two generous donors, any donations offered until August 15 will be doubled until the $20,000 goal is met. All gifts made will support transformational student events, effective outreach, engaging digital presence, faithful staff, and life-changing student leadership development.

JOHNSTOWN, PA - [Diocesan Chancery] -- With profound sadness the Diocesan Chancery announces that Ethel Woytek, age 96, the Mother of Fr. Alexis Voytek of Spring Hill Florida, reposed in the Lord on July 7, 2022 from complications due to Covid

Ethel was born on December 23, 1925, to Helen (Kalessar) and Joseph Dufallo, in Hazlebrook, PA. She was the eighth of the Dufallos’ nine children. When she was 3 years old, her father was killed in a mining accident. Ethel reveled in learning and excelled in school. Ethel graduated from Freeland High School in 1943 as class valedictorian. Although she was more than capable of becoming the teacher or nurse that she longed to be, given her financial circumstances, she instead helped support her mother and siblings by working in a shirt factory. In 1951, Ethel married Joseph Woytek, an Army Air Force veteran

JOHNSTOWN, PA - [Diocesan Chancery] -- With profound sadness the Diocesan Chancery announces that Archon +Alex R. Breno, age 85, fell asleep in the Lord on Sunday May 29, 2022. Formerly a communicant of Holy Ghost Orthodox Church in Phoenixville, Alex was a faithful parishioner of Holy Resurrection Orthodox Church in Potmac, MD upon his relocation in recent years to Maryland with his beloved wife, Eleanor L. (nee Barnansky) Breno.

Alex was born on October 30, 1936 in Endicott, New York he was the son of the late Alex and Ellen (nee Hill) Breno.

He served in the United States Army and then worked for the United States Naval Audit Service for 30 years.

JOHNSTOWN, PA - [Diocesan Chancery] -- With profound sadness the Diocesan Chancery announces that David Dutko, the father of Fr. Matthew Dutko and the brother of Protopresbyter James Dutko reposed in the Lord unexpectedly on Friday May 20, 2022 after a long battle with renal failure while waiting for a kidney transplant.

He was predeceased by his parents Very Rev. Protopresbyter Stephen and Pani Mary Dutko and his brother Richard Dutko.

He is survived by his devoted wife Cheryl (nee Regan) Dutko of Binghamton, his children, James A. (Rachel) Dutko of Collegeville PA, Christina M. Dutko of Binghamton, and Rev. Matthew D. (Pani Kathryn) Dutko of Woodstock, GA; grandchildren; Nicholas, Emily, Lazarus and Isaiah; his brother, Very Rev. Protopresbyter James (Pani Mary Kathy) Dutko of Vestal, nephew, Richard (Kaitlin) Dutko of Apalachin, many cousins and grand nieces and grand nephews.

David loved his wife, children, grandchildren, family, church, his heritage, and his pets. He had long career as an attorney for the City of Binghamton and the Counties of Broome and Tioga.

He was an active member of the parish family of St. Michael’s Orthodox Church, as the cantor, member of its choir, and active within the American Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Diocese.

JOHNSTOWN, PA - [Diocesan Chancery] -- With profound sadness the Diocesan Chancery announces that Cynthia King, the mother of Pani Cyndi Ellis reposed in the Lord on Friday May 13th, following a long illness.

Heartfelt condolences are extended from the Diocesan Priesthood and Diaconate to Fr. Ken and Pani Cyndi Ellis. May +Cynthia's Memory Be Eterna!l

[Diocesan Chancery] Johnstown, PA -- The National ACRY Scholarship Committee is pleased to announce that the 2022 ACRY Scholarship Application is now available on ACRY.org.

JOHNSTOWN, PA - Plans are underway for the Annual Altar Boy Retreat which will take place from Sunday evening, June 26th (Registration is from 6pm till 8 p.m.) until Wednesday, June 29, 2022.

The Retreat will once again take place at Christ the Savior Seminary, Cathedral and Education Center in Johnstown and at Sts. Peter and Paul Church in Windber, PA. This year's outing will be a visit to the Flight 93 Memorial where we will perform a Panachida and have lunch, before proceeding to Caddie Shak adventure park for the rest of the afternoon.. This is the time and place for our faithful Altar Servers to join other Altar Boys from all over our Diocese.

JOHNSTOWN, PA -- The schedule of His Eminence, Metropolitan Gregory of Nyssa for May - June 2022 has been released by the Diocesan Chancery.