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!

JOHNSTOWN, PA -- [Diocesan Chancery] Our Diocese is pleased to announce a series of Parenting Workshops designed to help parents raise their children in the Faith. The title of the series is “Raising Believing Children” and will focus on the ways parents can help their children stay faithful to Christ and His Church in a world that is filled with doubt and most often works against their Faith. The Workshops are for parents of any age – you’re never too old to be a son or daughter, and likewise you’re never too old to be a parent! This series of Parenting Workshops will be hosted by different Churches and Deaneries around our Diocese starting in March 2019. The first Workshop in the Series will be hosted by Sts. Peter and Paul Church in Rockaway, NJ on March 2, 2019. The first will feature His Eminence Metropolitan Gregory of Nyssa and Very Rev. Stephen Loposky as presenters and workshop facilitators. Each workshop will be broadcast live online and will be archived for later viewing as well, and will include both presentations and small group moderated discussions to allow participants to help each other in their lives as parents.

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.