On July 18/31, His Eminence, Metropolitan Demetrius of America, along with Hierodeacon Benedict, travelled from St John of San Francisco Orthodox Monastery in Cobleskill, NY to the parish of St Seraphim of Sarov in Glen Allen, Virginia, just outside Richmond, to celebrate the feast of the uncovering of the relics of St Seraphim of Sarov.
That evening, Great Vespers with Liti were served, with His Eminence in attendance. Afterward, His Eminence hosted a question and answer period with the members of the parish. The following day, Divine Liturgy was served, with His Eminence in attendance. Serving from the parish of St Seraphim of Sarov were Fr Nicodemos Gayle, along with deacons Fr Andrew Wales and Fr Joseph Clatterbuck. Fr George Psaromatis from St Nicholas in Maryland, and Fr Andrew Frick from Holy Ascension in Fairfax, VA, travelled to the parish for the feast, along with many faithful from across the country. During the service, Alexis Arzuaga, from North Carolina, was made a subdeacon, and Michael Skvor, who lives locally, was tonsured a reader.
Following the Liturgy, a festive meal was served, with a brief talk by His Eminence.
May St Seraphim of Sarov intercede for us all!
In the early 20th century, the idea of promoting the union of Churches (Orthodox and heterodox) began to gain ground among circles in the Eastern Orthodox Church by establishing a "Communion of Churches" modeled on the League of Nations.
The Patriarchal Encyclical of 1920 foresaw a series of steps toward the “union of the Churches,” of which the first was the change of the calendar for the simultaneous celebration of feast days by all the “Churches.” The content of the encyclical was kept secret from the faithful and only after a few years became known. Read more...
Saints Peter and Paul Orthodox Church is a beautiful mission parish near downtown Tucson, a city in southern Arizona. It was started in 1997 by Father John Bockman, who was a missionary Priest formerly serving missions in Tennessee and Massachusetts since 1990. Father John served the faithful in Tucson and the surrounding area in his home Chapel until his repose in November of 2000. His wife, Presbytera Valerie, continued to make her home Chapel available for the mission, with clergy from Saint Nectarios Orthodox Church in Seattle and His Eminence, Metropolitan Moses of Toronto (then of Portland), visiting to provide the Divine Services.
Read more...2023 Youth Conference
Please join us for the 2023 youth conference in Chicago, IL! To learn more, visit the home page or visit the conference website.
Q. I noticed that we call the angels Michael and Gabriel "Saint." I thought the title "Saint" was only given to humans who have proven themselves Godly. Do you mind clarifying this for me? Is there a deeper meaning to "Saint" that I am not aware of?
-S.L. Read more...