JOHNSTOWN, PA [Christ The Saviour Seminary] -- On Wednesday, May 25th, Seminarian Andrew Wythe was honored at Seminary Commencement at Christ the Saviour Cathedral. A Moleben of Thanksgiving was celebrated by Very Rev. Protopresbyter Frank P. Miloro, Seminary Dean, with Protopresbyter Robert Buczak con-celebrating. His Grace, Bishop Gregory, presided. At the conclusion of the Service, Father Frank spoke, commending Seminarian Andrew for his diligent dedication to his studies in the three-year formation program. Bishop Gregory conferred the Diploma of Bachelor of Theology.

JOHNSTOWN, PA -- As previously announced, Diocesan Parishes who have not already done so 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".

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 Orthodox Church throughout the world. This Holy Season, as His Grace, Bishop Gregory has reminded us in his Lenten Archpastoral Letter "is a time for self-examination and self-denial. We must take control of our lives and bodies with fasting in order to gain a greater awareness of our dependence on and relationship with God." 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 this year on March 14th, I want to share with you a few thoughts so that we may journey through this reflective period and arrive at the Great Feast of Feasts, Pascha to receive the Resurrected Christ.

We are reminded that there can be no true fast, no genuine repentance, no reconciliation with God, unless we at the same time reconcile with one another. In this holiest period of the ecclesiastical year, we should honestly examine our relationships with our families, our parish families, friends, neighbors, co-workers, and the Church in general.

I greet you with great joy and love in the Name of our Incarnate Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! I give thanks to Almighty God by whose grace we have been given the opportunity to celebrate the Birth of His Son. Looking around, we still see hatred, mistrust, violence, suffering, and the absence of peace in our world. This reality of life in this world makes us cry out for God’s help, assistance and intervention. The holy gift of God’s Son at Christmas reveals to us His love and care for all humanity. As human beings, we are awed by the miracle of God becoming man: the divine glory revealed in a child born in poor circumstances, the omnipotent Creator a little baby in His Mother’s arms.

I greet you with great joy and love in the Name of our Incarnate Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! I give thanks to Almighty God by whose grace we have been given the opportunity to celebrate the Birth of His Son. Looking around, we still see hatred, mistrust, violence, suffering, and the absence of peace in our world. This reality of life in this world makes us cry out for God’s help, assistance and intervention. The holy gift of God’s Son at Christmas reveals to us His love and care for all humanity. As human beings, we are awed by the miracle of God becoming man: the divine glory revealed in a child born in poor circumstances, the omnipotent Creator a little baby in His Mother’s arms.

My beloved Faithful Clergy and Laity of our God-Protected Diocese: It is hard to believe that this month marks the third anniversary of my Consecration and Enthronement as your Bishop. I have enjoyed travelling throughout the Diocese and visiting your parishes and getting to know you. I have been encouraged that while the majority of our Diocesan parishes are small in size, the clergy and faithful who labor in the Vineyard of the Lord are doing much to further the Kingdom of Heaven on Earth. As you have heard me preach, I am deeply concerned about the state of affairs in the world. There is strife and conflict in every corner of the globe, including our own country, our local communities and even our families.

JOHNSTOWN, PA - The Chancery is pleased to announce that registration for the 2015 College Conferences is now open. The conferences will be held during Christmas Break in two locations: St. Nicholas Ranch in Dunlap, Calif and Antiochian Village in Bolivar, Pa.; each centering on Orthodox Christian Fellowship's (OCF) theme for the year - "Modern Martyrs: Witnesses of the Word." This College Conference theme will address our calling to be martyrs for Christ by being witnesses of the Faith. As college students living in a secularized world, there are numerous opportunities for us as Orthodox Christians to be witnesses/martyrs for Christ on college campuses: in the dorm room, on social media, and in every aspect of our lives. This theme will also address the current-day persecution of Christians and provide some insights into how we can best aid our Christian brothers and sisters across the globe.

JOHNSTOWN, PA [Tribune-Democrat] - Sixty-seven altar boys from 13 states are in Johnstown this week for a retreat that mixes faith and fun. The three-day event brings together altar boys, who range in age from 8 to 18, and leaders of the American Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Diocese for education, prayer and fellowship. The retreat is being held at Christ the Saviour Cathedral on Garfield Street and this year focuses around the theme of “To Serve is to Love.” “I want you to not be just an altar boy, but be the best altar boy and be ready to service the Lord,” Bishop Gregory of Nyssa, bishop of the American Carpatho-Russian Diocese, said to the boys after celebrating Divine Liturgy with them on Tuesday. “Take the theme of this retreat and put it in your heart and love the Lord.” The retreat balances spiritual and fun activities and shows the boys that the priesthood is a viable and worthy vocation. Participants also have the opportunity to bond and learn how to be leaders. Bishop Gregory said the purpose of the retreat is to encourage the boys to pursue the priesthood. “Our priests are getting older and retiring, and we will need new priests, and if they aren’t coming from this group then where?” he said.

JOHNSTOWN, PA [Diocesan Chancery] -- This evening more than 100 of our Diocesan youth arrived safely at Christ the Saviour Cathedral in Johnstown for the Annual Diocesan Altarboy Retreat, and at Sts Peter and Paul Church in Windber, PA for the Annual Young Women's Encounter. During the next three days, the altar boys and young women of our Diocese will have the opportunity in their own venue to spend time in prayer, learning, fellowship and service. Taking inspiration from the Scriptural verse, "Live as free men, yet without using your freedom as a pretext for evil; but live as servants of God." - 1 Peter 2:16, the theme of this year's altar boy retreat is “To Serve is to Love…” In addition to interactive discussions on the retreat theme, instruction in Plain Chant Singing,

JOHNSTOWN, PA -- Helen Spanovich, celebrated choir director in the Greater Johnstown area for the past 75 years, retired with a testimonial banquet at Christ the Saviour Educational Center on Tuesday evening, May 26. Cathedral parishioners as well as priests and faithful from many areas attended. The Very Rev. Protopresbyter Robert Buczak, Cathedral Dean, was toastmaster. Protopresbyter Frank P. Miloro, Chancellor, welcomed everyone and offered a toast. Michael Fetsko, Cathedral Financial Secretary, made a presentation. Beautiful roses were sent by Attorney Nicholas Timko, choir director of St. Nicholas Church in New York City.

JOHNSTOWN, PA -- Graduation ceremonies were held for the three members of the Class of 2015 on Thursday evening, May14th at Christ the Saviour Cathedral in Johnstown, PA. Joining the three graduates, Deacon David Urban, a parish vocation of St. Nicholas Orthodox Church in Homestead, PA, and Seminarians George Ellis and William Bennett, parish vocations of St. Michael's Orthodox Church in Binghamton, NY were the Very Rev. Protopresbyter Frank Miloro, Seminary Dean

JOHNSTOWN, PA [National Sr. ACRY] -- The National Sr. ACRY is pleased to announce that application forms are now on-line on the ACRY website for its Annual Scholarship Awards. ACRY members may apply for the following scholarships: Freshman, Sophmore, Junior, Senior/Metropolitan Orestes, Graduate, Trade/Technical, Seminarian, Mary Kay Wanchak Memorial. Deadline for Submission of 2015 Scholarship Form is June 15, 2015. To be eligible for a scholarship the applicants home chapter must have submitted their their annual donation to ACRY Scholarship Fund to the National Financial Secretary by July 1, 2015.

JOHNSTOWN, PA [Diocesan Chancery] -- Pan Orthodox United is thrilled to announce their 3rd annual Midwest Fellowship Weekend to be held in Akron, Ohio from May 29, 2015 – May 31, 2015. The weekend is a cross-jurisdictional event that is being hosted by a group of churches in the Akron area. It will give attendees a chance to meet and spend time with their peers from different Orthodox jurisdictions across the US. Highlights of the Fellowship Weekend will include a Charity Walk to benefit Zoe For Life, a soccer tournament, group service project to benefit FOCUS Cleveland, other sporting activities, church services (including Vespers and Liturgy), and an International Festival with local Orthodox faithful that will include dinner and a display and lessons in ethnic dancing.

JOHNSTOWN, PA -- The Diocesan Chancery has been informed that the Kulis Foundation is again offering six (6) different scholarship programs for the 2015-2016 academic year to Diocesan Students. This year, the scholarship programs will provide over $450,000 in available scholarship funds for eligible students. In 2014 13 Diocesan Students and Seminarians were recipients of scholarships. Interested students may view eligibility requirements for each of these six (6) scholarship programs and download applications by visiting

JOHNSTOWN, PA The Diocesan Chancery has learned that Fr. Matthew Baker, former Christ the Saviour seminarian and parishioner of Nativity of Our Lord Parish in Manassas, Virginia, and Pastor of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church of Norwich, CT, was tragically killed in a car accident on March 1, 2015 during an evening snow storm, while on the way home from celebrating the Triumph of Orthodoxy Vespers. His children who were traveling in the car with Fr. Matthew were thankfully not injured.

His Grace, Bishop Gregory has issued the following Archpastoral Message regarding the upcoming Family Camp: Our Diocese is pleased to offer our third 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. Encourage them to come, and, if you are able, come yourselves with your families. Last year we had 10 Families and a total of 36 participants. We had a wonderful time together and look forward to being together again this year.

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 Grace, Bishop Gregory has reminded us in his Lenten Archpastoral Letter, " is a time for self-examination and self-denial. We must take control of our lives and bodies with fasting in order to gain a greater awareness of our dependence on and relationship with God." 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 Great Lent this year on February 23rd, I want to share with you a few thoughts so that we may journey through this reflective period and arrive at the Great Feast of Pascha spiritually uplifted to receive the Resurrected Christ. This journey is a time for self-examination and self-denial. We must take control of our lives and bodies with fasting in order to gain a greater awareness of our dependence on and relationship with God. In addition, this journey gives greater time for doing those things that Christ mentioned in Matthew 25: 31-46. He instructed us to feed the hungry,

JOHNSTOWN, PA -- As a result of feedback provided from both on-site and on-line participants, the next topic for our Diocesan on-line Orthodox Scripture Study will be the Book of Revelation (The Apocalypse) The study is scheduled to begin on Saturday March 7, 2015 at 5:00 pm. This weekly on-line scripture study will be led by the Very Rev. Protopresbyter Kenneth Bachofsky, Professor of Sacred Scripture at Christ the Saviour Seminary and broadcast live from St. Nicholas Orthodox Church in Warren, Ohio. This study will draw on the patristic voice of the Fathers