Diocese Joyfully Prepares For the Consecration of Bishop-Elect Gregory

JOHNSTOWN, PA --  [Diocesan Chancery]  With thankfulness to Almighty God,  the much anticipated day of the consecration (ordination) of His Grace, Bishop-Elect Gregory to the Episcopacy is quickly approaching. 

According to Diocesan Chancellor, The Very Rev. Protopresbyter Frank P. Miloro,  preparations for this historic day in the life of the diocese are nearly complete. His Grace, Bishop-Elect Gregory arrived in Johnstown on Monday November 19 and has taken up residence in the Episcopal Residence.   

The Chancery has also confirmed details regarding the Consecration Service which will take place on Tuesday, November 27, 2012 at Christ the Saviour Cathedral in Johnstown.  His Eminence, Archbishop Demetrios as representative of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I  is celebrant and consecrator.  He will be joined by Metropolitan Antony of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the U.S.A., Metropolitan Alexios of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocesan Metropolis of Atlanta, Metropolitan Savas of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocesan Metropolis of Pittsburgh, and Bishop Daniel of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the U.S.A. 

Bishops of other Faiths present will be Bishop Joseph Bartchak of the Altoona-Johnstown Roman Catholic Diocese; Bishop-emeritus Joseph Adamec of the Altoona-Johnstown Roman Catholic Diocese; Bishop Gregory Pile of the Lutheran Church, Allegheny Synod; Metropolitan Archbishop William Skurla of the Byzantine Catholic Archeparchy of Pittsburgh; and Bishop-emeritus Basil Losten of the Ukrainian Byzantine Catholic Diocese of Stamford.               

It has been confirmed that there will be some 500 guests in attendance at the Grand Banquet which will follow the Consecration at the Pasquarella Community Center, 100 of which are reported to be diocesan priests and deacons.  An even larger number of faithful are expected to attend the Consecration Liturgy.  Those who will be unable to be seated in the Cathedral will be directed to the Cathedral Auditorium (downstairs) for viewing.

Those who are unable to attend are invited to view the service live, via the internet.  The internet broadcast will begin at 9:45 am, with the processions of clergy and dignitaries into the cathedral.  

Faithful are encouraged to visit the special Consecration webpage www.acrod.org/consecration  to learn more about this upcoming major event in the history of the diocese.  Visitors to this webpage will be able to  find directions to the Cathedral and  Banquet Hall,  download graphics for parish websites and bulletins, view the actual text  and learn more about the spiritual significance of the Bishop's Ordination Service, and view the live broadcast of the Consecration Liturgy.    

Watch for frequent updates and the posting of additional resources over the coming days on www.acrod.org and the consecration page  www.acrod.org/consecration .