JOHNSTOWN, PA -- Diocesan Parishes 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".

It is asked that parishes avoid sending low resolution cell phone camera quality photos as they may also be included in The Church Messenger

Please email photos to media@acrod.org Please put in the body of the e-mail the name of the parish, and a brief captions describing the photos. Please do not send captions as attached document files.

Camp Nazareth is pleased to announce its THIRD ANNUAL Science and Nature Camp which will take place August 4-10, 2019!!!

Camp participants will learn all about Astronomy, Biology, Earth Science, Geology, Meteorology and SO MUCH MORE!

Participants will have the opportunity to use telescopes, microscopes, and other equipment used to study and learn about nature. But most importantly, they will explore the trails, waterfalls, streams and geography of the Camp. Special emphasis will be placed on appreciating the beauty of nature and the wonder of the fields of science they will study.

JOHNSTOWN, PA --  [Diocesan Chancery] -  Registration is now open for the SIXTH Annual Diocesan Young Women's Encounter which will take place from Sunday, June 30th to Wednesday, July 3rd, 2019 at Saints Peter and Paul Church in Windber, PA. We encourage our young women, ages 12 to 18 to attend.

This engaging experience will highlight how young women can live our Orthodox Faith and serve the Church with their own unique gifts. The YWE is designed specifically for our young women to provide them an opportunity to spend time in fellowship with each other, have fun, and pray together. This year we will have the blessing to spend some time at the Orthodox Monastery of the Holy Transfiguration in Ellwood City, PA.

JOHNSTOWN, PA -- With the blessing of His Eminence, Metropolitan Gregory, the National Junior ACRY, as in previous years, calls upon all to aid the Diocesan ministry of Saint John the Compassionate, which is located in Toronto, Canada. The decision to assist this ministry to those in need was made by the National Junior ACRY at the National ACRY Convention held over Labor Day Weekend 2018.

Members of the Junior ACRY had the opportunity to visit the Mission this past summer and experience the labors of love that take place there each and everyday. The donation from the National ACRY was hand delivered to The Mission on behalf of all who donated to the Lenten Project.

The Mission provides assistance to those in need in the inner city of Toronto. The Mission has continued to provide meals, job training and spiritual counsel to those in need in part because of the generous contributions made by organizations and individuals.

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 entire Orthodox Church.

This Holy Season, as His Eminence, Metropolitan Gregory has reminded us in his Lenten  Archpastoral Letter,  is a time for increased "... self-examination, reflection and confession.... Great Lent is not just about what we eat, but more importantly how we live."

To assist the faithful in making the most of this holy season, additional resources have been added to our Diocesan Website.

My beloved Faithful Clergy and Laity of our God-Protected Diocese:

As we begin Holy and Great Lent on March 11th I wanted to share with you a few thoughts so that we may journey through the season and arrive safely at the Great Feast of Feasts, Holy Pascha with the proper frame of mind.

Great Lent is a period of increased activity for the active Orthodox Christian. Our prayer, fasting, and almsgiving must increase. Attendance at Church services (of which there are many) and spiritual reading must increase. We must increase our self-examination, reflection and confession. Great Lent is also a period of decreased activity for the active Orthodox Christian. We should show restraint in our normal “outside of Lent” lifestyle. We should reduce our watching of television, listening to the radio, surfing the internet, going to concerts and movies. Great Lent is not just about what we eat, but more importantly how we live.

In our prayer life the Prayer of St. Ephraim the Syrian is read each week day during Great Lent.

JOHNSTOWN, PA,  [Diocesan Chancery]  -- The Orthodox Youth Directors in North America are pleased to announce our upcoming webinar - "Ministering to Campers with Special Needs"? - March 6, 2018 at 1 p.m. (Eastern time).  The  panel of presenters are Fr. Stephen and Pani Daria Loposky (Camp Nazareth), Fr. Anthony Yazge (Antiochian Village), and Natalie Kapeluck Nixon (All Saints Camp).

JOHNSTOWN, PA -- The schedule of His Eminence, Metropolitan Bishop Gregory
of Nyssa for March 2019 has been released by the Diocesan Chancery.

JOHNSTOWN, PA [Diocesan Chancery] -- This is an exciting time for the A.C.R.Y. Annual and Diocesan Yearbook as for the first time in its long history it will be available in full-color from front to back and available as a downloadable digital file. If you are not an A.C.R.Y. member and have not purchased a hard copy of the A.C.R.Y. Annual, you may purchase a downloadable version for just $6.

JOHNSTOWN, PA -- [Diocesan Chancery]   Six members of our Diocesan Family attended the 19th Annual Youth and Camp Workers Conference at Antiochian Village in Bolivar, PA from Wednesday, 1/23 – Saturday, 1/26, 2019.  Attendees from our Diocese included:  Very Rev. Fr. Stephen and Pani Daria Loposky, Very Rev. Fr. Miles Zdinak,  Very Rev. Protopresbyter Peter Paproski,  Pani Eleni Stagon and Rachel Pribish.

The Conference takes place each year by the collaborative work of the Orthodox Jurisdictional Youth Directors in North America and is hosted by one of their number.  Last year our Diocese hosted it in Atlanta, GA, together with the Ukrainian Archdiocese.  This year it was hosted by the Antiochian Archdiocese.  As usual, it was a tremendous Conference filled with awesome speakers, small group discussions, great networking, and a whole lot of fun.  It was really and truly inspiring!  This annual conference  has much to offer anyone involved in Youth Ministry, whether a parent, a church school teacher, a priest, or a parish youth worker. 

JOHNSTOWN, PA - With profound sadness the Diocesan Chancery announces that Pani Patricia Patrick, the wife of Fr. George Patrick, reposed in the Lord on Saturday January 26, 2019.

Funeral  arrangements for Pani Patricia are as follows:

Tuesday, January 29th  - 7:00 pm Panachida at Gilbert Funeral Home, 1638 Lincoln Way in White Oak, PA,  with viewing from 2-4 PM and 6-8 PM.  

Wednesday January 30th - 10:00 AM - Funeral Service, St. Michael’s Church, 424 Ninth Street in McKeesport, PA with Interment at Mount Vernon Cemetery, 2300 Greenock Buena Vista Road in McKeesport. 

JOHNSTOWN, PA - The Diocesan Chancery is pleased to announce the schedule of the annual Diocesan Lenten Retreats, which are sponsored by the ACRY for the upcoming Lenten Season. These retreats are open to everyone and contain special programming for youth and adults of all ages. Metropolitan Gregory, along with other talented clergy of the Diocese will offer insightful and inspiring presentations designed to encourage and challenge the faithful to stay focused on the spiritual life as they continue their Lenten Journey to Pascha.

Central Region: Saturday April 6, 2019 at St. Nicholas Church, Homestead, PA from 9:00 am - 5:00 pm (EST)

Eastern Region: Saturday April 13, 2019 at St Francis Center For Renewal, Bethlehem, PA from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm (EST)

Western Region: Saturday April 13, 2018 at Holy Transfiguration Church, Crawfordsville, IN at 2 pm (CST)

PERTH AMBOY, NJ -- On Sunday, January 13, the faithful of St. John the Baptist Church in Perth Amboy, NJ hosted a surprise celebration honoring Protodeacon Gregory Benc’s 20th Anniversary of Ordination. The celebration began with Divine Liturgy, during which Protodeacon Gregory assisted the celebrant, Fr. Michael Chendorain. A sermon was prepared by Diocesan Chancellor, Protopresbyer Fr. Frank Miloro who was unable to attend at the last minute. Over 160 people were present for the liturgical celebration. Following the Divine Liturgy, a celebratory brunch was held in the parish hall which was filled with family, friends and parishioners. The honoree was presented with gifts by the parish and the parish choir for his dedicated service. Very Rev. Fr. Michael Chendorain, pastor, toasted the honoree before he addressed those gathered. In his speech, Fr. Deacon Gregory gave thanks to his parents for raising him in a devout Christian home and to the late Metropolitan Nicholas for seeing in him the desire and ability to serve Christ’s Holy Church.

JOHNSTOWN, PA -- The schedule of His Eminence, Metropolitan Bishop Gregory
of Nyssa for January & February 2019 has been released by the Diocesan Chancery.

Dear Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

I greet you with joy and love in the Name of our Incarnate Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Let us give thanks to Almighty God, by whose grace we have been given the opportunity to celebrate the Birth of His Son.

If we look around, we find hatred, mistrust, suffering, and the absence of peace and love in our homes, neighborhoods, cities, country, and in fact the whole world. This reality in life makes us cry out for God’s help, assistance, and intervention.

My beloved ones, despite all the suffering, sorrow and injustice in our world, today joy and hope comes to us once more. That’s why at this blessed time of the year we look forward to the arrival of the new born King.

Therefore let us celebrate the miracle of His Birth. Let kindness come with every gift. Let compassion, forgiveness and love come with every greeting. Let our hearts be filled with prayer, charity, and reconciliation for one another.

JOHNSTOWN, PA -- [Diocesan Chancery] -- Christ is born, glorify Him. Christ is from heaven, go to meet Him. Christ is on earth, be ye lifted up. Sing to the Lord, all the earth. Sing out with gladness, all ye people. For He is glorified (First Ode of the Christmas Canon).

His Eminence, Metropolitan Gregory of Nyssa, the Diocesan Chancery Staff, The Diocesan Board of Trustees and the Faculty and Staff of Christ the Saviour Seminary extend their heartfelt greetings to the faithful and friends of the Diocese for a blessed Feast of The Nativity of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

JOHNSTOWN [Christ the Saviour Cathedral] -- The Divine Services of Nativity and Theophany of our Lord at Christ the Saviour Cathedral will be live-streamed on the internet.

The broadcast schedule is as follows:

Nativity Eve: Great Compline - Sunday January 6, 2019 - 8:00 pm

Hierarchical Divine Liturgy - Sunday January 6, 2019 - 9:00 pm

JOHNSTOWN, PA [Diocesan Chancery] -- Our Diocese is pleased to offer its second annual Seniors’ Retreat this year from May 13-16, 2019 at Camp Nazareth in Mercer, PA. Metropolitan Gregory is calling upon all our Seniors, age 65 and older, to join him at the Camp for 3 days of fellowship and prayer in order to be spiritually rejuvenated. The Retreat is being offered with our Seniors specifically in mind.

The Theme of the Retreat is “How’s Your ‘Eyesight’?: Keeping your Focus on God as a Senior”.

The Retreat will help our Seniors navigate the many challenges they face including retirement, transition, health and family all while remaining focused on and committed to our Lord. It will include worship, fellowship, learning, fun, time for reflection and relaxation, and time spent with our Diocesan Hierarch!

Our Diocese is pleased to announce its seventh annual Family Camp at Camp Nazareth this year in conjunction with Family Day. The event is exactly what it sounds like. Families “camping” together in the Camp cabins and participating in a weekend of services, games, discussions, activities and challenges that are all designed to help families deepen their relationship with God and with one another.

Family Camp is scheduled for Friday, May 31 – Sunday, June 2, 2019.

Each year we have a wonderful time together and we are looking forward to being together again this year. A variety of events and activities have been planned that will allow families to learn, have fun and pray together, and simply be together in the peaceful environment of the Camp.