Sept 1, 2009

To the Very Reverend Protopresbyters, Very Reverend and Reverend Fathers, Monastics, and the pious faithful of our God-saved Diocese,

Glory to Jesus Christ!

On September 30, 1984, His Excellency Bishop John R. Martin was suddenly called to the Lord after 18 years of service to our God-saved Diocese. As the second ruling bishop of our Diocese, Bishop John accomplished much during his episcopacy of almost two decades, most notably the founding of our diocesan youth camp, Camp Nazareth, the establishment of the Annunciation Monastery in Tuxedo Park, NY, hosting a national conference of Orthodox Bishops at our Christ the Saviour Cathedral and in general elevating the presence of our Diocese in this land and among our sister Orthodox Churches. Bishop John of thrice-blessed memory was one of my consecrators, and for this I am grateful to God.

This year will mark the 25th anniversary of his repose. Therefore, I enjoin each and every priest of our Diocese to keep his memory by offering a Panachida on Sunday, September 27, when the majority of our faithful will be participating in the Divine Liturgy that morning, and also a Divine Liturgy on Wednesday, September 30, for the repose of his soul. Please encourage as many of your faithful as possible to participate.

Trusting that you will honor his memory in this manner, I remain

Most sincerely yours in Christ Jesus,

+ Metropolitan Nicholas