Saint Anne Orthodox Church

Seventeen graduates from Saint Vladimir’s Seminary are now being sent out as priests, deacons, and lay ministers in service to the Church. At Commencement Exercises on Saturday, May 18, 2013, the seminary awarded diplomas in three programs: one Master of Theology, eight Masters of Divinity, and eight Masters of Arts degrees. Graduates represented a broad range of ecclesial jurisdictions and included both Eastern and Oriental Orthodox Christians; four priests and one deacon were among the graduates.

Brian GerichAnne Glynn MackoulMother Inéz

Additionally, the Board of Trustees awarded three accomplished Orthodox Christians honorary degrees. Doctorates of Humane Letters honoris causa were bestowed upon Seminary Trustees Brian Gerich and Ann Glynn Mackoul, and upon Mother Inez Ayau Garcia, Abbess of Hogar Rafael Ayau, an Orthodox Christian orphanage in Guatemala.

Commencement crowned the week’s celebrations, which also included the annual Board of Trustees meeting, a Trustee–Student dinner on Thursday evening, and a Friday Trustees dinner with staff and faculty.

On Saturday morning, May 18, His Beatitude, Metropolitan Tikhon, Primate of the Orthodox Church in America and President of Saint Vladimir’s Seminary, and His Grace, Bishop Nicholas, Auxiliary Bishop for Brooklyn of the Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese of North America, concelebrated the Divine Liturgy, during which second–year seminarian and Commencement Salutatorian Nicholas Roth was ordained to the Holy Diaconate. Metropolitan Tikhon also presided at the afternoon Service of Supplication in the campus Chapel of the Three Hierarchs before joining the faculty, staff, graduates, and visitors for commencement ceremonies. Board of Trustee His Eminence, Metropolitan Zachariah Mar Nicholovos, Northeast American Diocese of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church, also attended the Service of Supplication and participated in the graduation exercises.

The Rev. Dr. Sarah Fogg

The Rev. Dr. Sarah Fogg delivered the Commencement Address. Director of Pastoral Care at Saint John’s Riverside Hospital, Yonkers, NY, Dr. Fogg has supervised dozens of Saint Vladimir students in their hospital visitation and chaplaincy training. Dr. Fogg recalled her personal relationships with seminarians, saying, “As you came for training, I engaged with you in preparing you for pastoral visits. I learned more what hands on pastoral ministry is, as I challenged you with what God has for you. Thank you for seeking me out.”

Metropolitan Tikhon, who in addition to serving as the seminary’s President chairs its Board of Trustees, opened the Commencement Exercises and conferred degrees upon the graduates. In his closing remarks, he encouraged the senior class to remember to be watchful. “Watchfulness will help you preserve all the virtues you have acquired as you go forward into the world. Watch with your heart and do not simply look. Watch your pastors. Watch your flocks. Watch your neighbors. Watch your enemies. Why? So that you might see Christ in others. May God strengthen and bless all of you. May He inspire all of you to take what you have received here, to go out into the world as watchful servants.”

Harrison Russin, Valedictorian

The Valedictorian and Salutatorian were selected by the faculty on the basis of their excellent performance in all aspects of seminary life, including academic work, participation in chapel services, and completion of community service assignments. Class Valedictorian Harrison Russin, who served as Student Ecclesiarch from 2011 through 2013, also earned a commendation for community service. Harrison was awarded the Saint Basil the Great Award for high academic achievement twice during his years at Saint Vladimir’s, and is a gifted musician who sang with the SVOTS Octet all three years. His thesis was titled “The Iconology of Fr. Sergius Bulgakov.” Harrison will begin a Ph.D. program in the fall of 2013 at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina, studying in the field of musicology.

“Commencement isn’t the end, it is the beginning,” noted Harrison in his address. “The best analogy for me is to compare this time to Great Lent. Seminary has been a process of death to self, and struggle. Seminary has not been easy—yet today is our Pascha.”

Newly ordained second–year seminarian Deacon Nicholas Roth was Salutatorian. “As you leave today, you join the ranks of those who have come before you,” Deacon Nicholas said. “Our alumni build up Orthodox communities, teach the Orthodox faith, care for those in need. In your time here you started student organizations, gave back to the community, and worked to teach the Orthodox faith to all who would listen. Today we celebrate all you have done and we look to see more of what you do in the future.”

This year for the first time, the Student Council presented a new award to a faculty member. Decided by student vote, the Saint Macrina the Great Award recognizes the dedication and achievements of a seminary professor. In its inaugural year, outgoing Student Council President Priest James Parnell presented the award to Archpriest Dr. Alexander Rentel, Assistant Professor of Canon Law and Byzantine Studies and the John and Paraskeva Skvir Lecturer in Practical Theology. Anna Margheritino, wife of Seminarian Sandro Margheritino, was commissioned to paint two icons for the Saint Macrina Award; one will be continually displayed on campus, and each year, another will be presented to the Award recipient.

Archpriest Dr. John Behr, Dean, and Archpriest Dr. Chad Hatfield, Chancellor/CEO, congratulated and encouraged the graduates as well. “As we said at the Liturgy this morning: ‘Axios Axios Axios!’” exclaimed Father John. “Friends, as you depart from here, never forget the words that Christ said: ‘You did not choose me, but I choose you and appointed you that you should bear fruit.’”

President of the Alumni Association Board Gregory Abdalah presented each graduate with a cherry wood frame to display their diplomas, and welcomed them to the Saint Vladimir’s Alumni Association. “You join over 2000 alumni spread over 20 countries on six continents,” noted Mr. Abdalah. “Just like the Apostles went out and preached the Gospel to world, you act as ambassadors who carry on their legacy, as you take Saint Vladimir’s into the world.”

Photo galleries may be viewed here and here.

In association with its 75th Anniversary Celebration, Saint Tikhon’s Orthodox Theological Seminary here will host its 2013 Continuing Clergy Education Symposium June 18-20, 2013.

Speakers and presentation themes to be featured include the following.

“The Glory of Christ-Centered Marriage”—David Ford, Ph.D., Professor of Church History, Saint Tikhon’s Seminary.  A brief study of various Church Fathers and contemporary elders extolling the glory of Christ-centered marriage, especially in light of the various attacks on and increasing confusion about traditional marriage in our society as a whole.  In particular, we will undertake a close study of Elder Aimilianos of Simonopetra’s classic sermon, “Marriage: The Great Sacrament.”  References also will be made to the Lives of the married saints.

“Transforming Psychological States into Spiritual Ones: Some Practical Advice from the Fathers” — Christopher Veniamin, D.Phil. (Oxon.), Professor of Patristics, Saint Tikhon’s Seminary.  Description: How do we live as Christians? Or perhaps a better way of framing the question would be, how do we die every day as disciples of Christ in our broken world? This presentation aims to give practical advice on living the commandments of Christ, based on the theology of the Church Fathers.

“Sanctify Those Who Love the Beauty of Thy House”—Igumen Sergius (Bowyer), Abbot of Saint Tikhon’s Monastery and Interim Dean of Saint Tikhon’s Seminary.  Perspectives on living the Liturgy.  The course outcome is to have a renewed appreciation and love for the Divine Liturgy and Liturgical life of the Church with the understanding that it is the school whereby we are initiated into the mystery of eternal life. The lecture will focus on Biblical-Patristic sources to enlighten the listeners as to the centrality of the Church’s liturgical life while gaining a greater understanding of how they are the primary tool for the Church’s outreach and evangelism.

“Exorcism: A Current Perspective”—Archimandrite Athanasy, monk of Saint Tikhon’s Monastery.  The course will offer an overview of ancient and modern understandings of exorcism, the purpose of the exorcism prayers, how to discern case by case what issues might be affecting an individual’s and when and when not to consider an exorcism, the importance of having recourse to the Bishop, modern medicine, and resources for discernment and contextual applications.

“The Exploration and Development of the Ministry of Presence”—Archpriest John Kowalczyk, Senior Lecturer in Pastoral Practice, Director of Field Education, Saint Tikhon’s Seminary.  The Ministry of Presence: “When two or three are gathered in My name, I am in their midst” (Matthew 18:20).  The Orthodox pastor explores the “prayerful ministry of presence” with the application of the theology of the sanctification of time.  The presentation will aid the Orthodox pastor in navigating in difficult pastoral scenarios which will be found “outside his comfort zone.”

Registration fee is $50.00 per participant, which includes room and board.

Courses are available for clergy continuing education, approved by Archpriest Ian Pac-Urar.  This is a service provided by the faculty of Saint Tikhon’s Seminary to facilitate the continuing education of clergy, mandated by the Holy Synod of the Orthodox Church in America.

For additional information visit www.stots.edu.

Registration information and other resources related to the Orthodox Church in America’s 2013 Parish Ministries Conference, slated to be held at Marymount University, Arlington, VA July 10-13, 2013, were mailed recently to all parishes.

The conference theme—“Faith in Action: Equipping the Saints for Worship, Learning and Service”—will be developed by speakers and personnel from the OCA’s departments of Christian Education, Christian Service and Humanitarian Aid, Liturgical Music and Translations, and Youth, Young Adult, and Campus Ministry.  Protopresbyter Thomas Hopko will deliver the keynote address.

A detailed schedule and on-line registration forms may be found here.  A list of workshop speakers will be available in the immediate future. Early registration at a lower cost is available until May 31.

“We are excited to be adding a new partner this year to our Ministries Conference,” said Daria Petrykowski, conference coordinator. “The newly formed Department of Continuing Education has approved the conference as a venue for clergy to earn continuing education credits. We look forward to partnering with our clergy and lay leaders to better minister to our communities.”

A flyer/mini-poster with conference details may be downloaded in PDF format.

The Fellowship of Orthodox Christians in America [FOCA] recently announced that the theme of its annual “Celebration of Faith” creative arts contest for youth will be derived from John 8:12—“I am the light of the World. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”

Youth are invited to create and submit original works, based on the theme, representing the fields of creative writing, music, photography, and visual arts. Suggestions include photos or paintings of how God’s light impacts the world around us or how works of charity impact others.  Individuals may submit essays, poetry or short stories illustrating how God’s light sustains us and helps us to become lights in the world.  Entrants may wish to draw ideas from thematic resources available from the Orthodox Church in America’s Department of Christian Education.

Completed entries should be mailed no later than June 16, 2013 to FOCA Celebration of Faith, c/o Beth Willison, 232 Arrowhead Dr., Slippery Rock, PA 16057.  Entries will be displayed and awards presented at the FOCA’s 2013 National Convention, slated to be held in Cleveland, OH June 27-July 1.

For additional information, please contact Ms. Willison at rewill@zoominternet.net.

For the first time since his election as Primate of the Orthodox Church in America in November 2012, His Beatitude, Metropolitan Tikhon was the guest of His Eminence, Metropolitan Philip at the offices of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America here on Tuesday, May 14, 2013.  Metropolitan Tikhon was accompanied by Archpriest John Jillions, OCA Chancellor; Archpriest Leonid Kishkovsky, OCA Director of External Affairs and Interchurch Relations; and Subdeacon Roman Ostash.

Joining Metropolitan Philip in welcoming the OCA delegation were His Grace, Bishop Nicholas, Auxiliary-Brooklyn and Resident Assistant to Metropolitan Philip; Archpriest Thomas Zain, AOCA Vicar General; and Archpriest George Kevorkian, AOCA Assistant to the Metropolitan.

A warm atmosphere provided the context for substantive conversations about the current plight of Christians in the Middle East—and specifically the situation of the two Syrian hierarchs who remain in captivity—as well as the OCA’s recent history, the ongoing work of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of North and Central America, and hope for a united autocephalous Orthodox Church in North America.

A gallery of photos may be found on the OCA web site and OCA Facebook page.

The Department of Youth, Young Adult, and Campus Ministry of the Orthodox Church in America has completed its “Journey to Pascha” Video Series. These short videos were produced, written, and directed by a team of young adults from Holy Theophany/Saints Constantine and Helen Church, Colorado Springs, CO. Intended to document the parish’s journey through Great Lent, these videos share that communal journey with the greater on-line community.

Over the course of Lent and Holy Week, the videos were shared on the Department’s Facebook page and YouTube channel. The journey is broken up into four separate videos:

Chapter 1: Forgiveness Vespers
Chapter 2: Who Wants the Cross?
Chapter 3: Waiting for Christ
Chapter 4: The Bright and Saving Night

“Rachael Billings, a young adult at Saint Constantine and Helen approached us with this incredible idea several months ago,” said Andrew Boyd, OCA Youth Director. “Working with our social media team, she has refined her project and produced four video segments documenting her parish’s communal journey to our Lord’s Pascha. She’s taken on an amazing amount of work herself and overseen the project from planning to production and editing.”

“The Church’s role in social media is the same as the Church’s role anywhere,” said Matthew Andrews, a parishioner of Holy Assumption Church, Philadelphia, PA, and member of the Youth Department’s social media team.  “That role is to preach the Gospel and share the liturgical life. This project will be a unique way to inject our journey to Pascha into the social media landscape and to showcase the value of making that journey within the context of a Eucharist community.”

“I am so thankful for all who volunteered to assist me in this project, and for my parish priest, parish choir, and fellow parishioners who graciously allowed me to share them with the online world,” said Ms. Billings.

Saint Vladimir’s Seminary’s summer continuing education programs begin May 26, 2013.  For those registering on-line before May 15, the $50.00 registration fee will be waived. Register here.

Programs being offered this summer include the following.

• Sunday, May 26–Sunday, June 2, 2013 Iconography Workshop for College-Age Youth, endorsed by Orthodox Christian Fellowship (OCF) — Kh. Erin Kimmet, Annunciation Press Icons, iconographer and workshop leader.
• Friday, May 31–Saturday June 1, 2013 Conference on Poverty, co-hosted with Acton Institute — Archpriest Chad Hatfield, SVOTS chancellor/CEO and conference coordinator; hosted in memory of Deacon John Zarras, SVOTS alumnus (’06).
• Thursday, June 6–Saturday, June 8, 2013 Pastoral Counseling: Conflict Resolution Skills — Dr. Albert Rossi and Archpriest Dr. Nicholas Solak, workshop leaders.
• Sunday, June 9–Wednesday, June 12, 2013 Seventh Annual Diaconal Liturgical Practicum — Archdeacon Kirill Sokolov, practicum leader.
• Monday, June 17–Friday, June 28, 2013 Suffering and the Nature of Healing — Dr. Daniel Hinshaw, Visiting Professor; an academic 2–credit course.

A PDF of the summer program schedule may be downloaded in PDF format.

Saint Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary’s Board of Trustees will award three honorary doctorates during the school’s 74th Commencement Exercises, Saturday, May 18, 2013. Doctorates of Humane Letters honoris causa, will be bestowed upon Trustees Brian Gerich and Anne Glynn Mackoul, and upon Mother Inés Ayau García, abbess of Hogar Rafael Ayau, an Orthodox Christian orphanage in Guatemala.

This year, St. Vladimir’s will bestow 8 Master of Divinity, 8 Master of Arts, and 1 Master of Theology degrees; four priests and one deacon will be among the graduates.  The Rev. Dr. Sarah Fogg, director of pastoral care at Saint John’s Riverside Hospital in Yonkers, NY, will be the main commencement speaker. For many years Dr. Fogg has supervised seminary students in their hospital visitation and chaplaincy training at Saint John’s.

Commencement Exercises will begin with a 2:00 p.m. Service of Supplication in the campus Chapel of the Three Hierarchs, presided by His Beatitude, Metropolitan Tikhon, Primate of the Orthodox Church in America and President of the seminary, with Commencement at 2:30 p.m. in the Metropolitan Philip Auditorium of the John G. Rangos Family building. A public reception will follow.

The community of Saint Tikhon’s Monastery and Seminary extends a most cordial invitation to all to attend the 109th Annual Pilgrimage over Memorial Day weekend, May 24-27, 2013.

“It is always a joy to welcome hierarchs, clergy and faithful from the Orthodox Church in America, other Orthodox jurisdictions and guests from near and far,” said Igumen Sergius, the Monastery’s abbot.

A detailed schedule of divine services for the weekend is available.  Updates will appear as they become available on the Monastery’s web site.

Saint Tikhon’s Monastery is the oldest Orthodox Christian monastic community in North America.

In related news, Saint Tikhon’s Seminary will hold its 71st annual Commencement on Saturday, May 25.  The day will open with the celebration of the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy at 9:00 a.m. and continue with graduation ceremonies at the Bell Tower at 1:00 p.m.

On behalf of His Beatitude, Metropolitan Tikhon and the Hierarchs of the Holy Synod of Bishops of the Orthodox Church in America, the Church Officers and Chancery Staff, and the members of the OCA Web Team, we wish one and all a most blessed and joyous celebration of the Feast of Feasts, the Holy Pascha of Our Lord, God and Saviour Jesus Christ!  May the joy that pours forth from the empty Tomb of Our Risen Lord fill us now and in the days to come!

Cardinal Dolan speaks to media and introduces bishops after the Mass.

Timothy Cardinal Dolan, Roman Catholic Archbishop of New York, offered Mass at Saint Patrick’s Cathedral here on Thursday, May 2, 2013 for the safety and well-being of Antiochian Orthodox Bishop Paul Yazigi and Syriac Orthodox Bishop John Ibrahim who were recently kidnapped in Syria.

Representing His Beatitude, Metropolitan Tikhon, was Archpriest John Jillions, Chancellor of the Orthodox Church in America, who noted that Cardinal Dolan had invited leaders from the Orthodox Christian community and Catholic leaders to join him in praying for the speedy return of the two kidnapped prelates.  Also present were His Grace, Bishop Sevastianos [Skordallos] and Priest Mark Arey of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America and Archbishop Mor Cyril Aphrem Karim and Reverend Eli Shabo of the Syrian Orthodox Church.

Cardinal Dolan drew attention to the plight of the two bishops and persecuted Christians in the Middle East.  He noted that faith in the resurrection of Christ has from the beginning drawn Christians together and deepened their prayer, but it has also led to suffering as a constant throughout Christian history.  The fact that Orthodox Christians are now in Holy Week and remembering the suffering of Christ alongside the suffering of these two bishops is significant, he said.

Catholic leaders present included Archbishop Francis Chullikatt, Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations; Bishop William Murphy of Rockville Centre, NY; Bishop Gregory Mansour, Maronite Eparchy; and Monsignor John Kozar, president of the Catholic Near East Welfare Association.  New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s office was represented by Fatima Shama, Commissioner of Immigrant Affairs.

An audio copy of Cardinal Dolan’s remarks can be found here.

In observance of the Feast of Feasts, Holy Pascha, the Chancery of the Orthodox Church in America will be closed from Great and Holy Thursday, May 2, through Bright Monday, May 6, 2013.

Regular hours will resume on Bright Tuesday, May 7, following the celebration of the Divine Liturgy in the Chancery’s Saint Sergius of Radonezh Chapel, at which His Beatitude, Metropolitan Tikhon, will preside.  Graduating students from Saint Tikhon’s Seminary, South Canaan, PA and Saint Vladimir’s Seminary, Yonkers, NY, will be the special guests of Metropolitan Tikhon and Chancery staff members throughout the day.

The OCA’s Officers, Chancery staff, and web team members wish one and all every blessing on the “bright and radiant Feast of Feasts!”

A watercolor of Belkofski’s Holy Resurrection Church, built in 1880.

In a report dated April 30, 2013, KTUU Channel 2 News announced that the abandoned Belkofski village on the Alaska Peninsula had been destroyed by fire.

KTUU reported that Makrina Mack, Vice President of the Belkofski Corp., said the corporation became aware three days earlier that the fire that occurred, although the exact date and cause are unknown at this time.  Aerial photos indicate a large blackened area around the village, with just the school building remaining.

Founded in 1824 by the Russian-American Company, Belkofski was home to Holy Resurrection Orthodox Church.  The parish’s first church building was erected in 1843.  In 1880, a new church was constructed.  The structure, which had been placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980, subsequently collapsed.  What was left of the church burned in the fire, along with the parish cemetery.

Belkofski’s last residents left the village in 1982.  Many of them resettled in King Cove, AK., where they established a new parish dedicated to Saint Herman of Alaska, in which many of Holy Resurrection Church’s classic 19th century iconostasis and liturgical items were placed.

KTUU’s illustrated report may be accessed here.

The Paschal Message of His Beatitude, Metropolitan Tikhon, is now available on the web site of the Orthodox Church in America.  The original English text, which appears below, also is available in PDF format, as are translations into Albanian, Bulgarian, French, Romanian, Russian, Spanish and Ukrainian.

Paschal Message of His Beatitude, Metropolitan Tikhon To the Venerable Pastors, God-loving Monastics and Devout Faithful of the Orthodox Church in America

“We celebrate the death of death and the overthrow of hell, the beginning of another life which is eternal; and in exultation, we sing the praises of its source.  He alone is blessed and most glorious, the God of our Fathers.” —(Paschal Canon, Ode 7)

Dearly Beloved in the Lord:

The central mystery of the Christian Faith is the glorious Resurrection of our Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ, through which mankind is offered the gift of another life, which is eternal. This miracle of divine and everlasting life was wrought for us in a most remarkable way, for our Lord accomplished it by voluntarily suffering His Passion, being nailed to the Cross and descending into the tomb and into hell.

To the world, suffering is understood as something to be avoided at all costs.  The Cross is perceived as foolishness, while the reality of death is ignored as often as possible. But Christ takes the very things the world fears and uses them, not only to reveal His glory and His power, but to share that power and glory with us. He voluntarily endures suffering to free us from our suffering.  He ascends the Cross to bring joy to a world that is so often shrouded in war, destruction and hatred.  And He willingly endures death so that He might trample it down and reveal that, in the risen Lord, it has no power over us.

Throughout our beautiful Paschal services, we sing of the great paradox of eternal life, revealed and accomplished through death: of mortality, clothed in the robe of immortality; of the Sun of Righteousness shining forth from the tomb; of death being trampled down by death. Christ, Who is Life itself, dies for us, so that we who are dead might live. We no longer fear those things that the world fears, for they no longer have power over us. As Saint John Chrysostom reminds us in his magnificent Paschal homily, “Let no one fear death, for the Savior’s death has set us free. He who was prisoner of it has annihilated it. By descending into hell, He made hell captive.”

Let us, therefore, rejoice in the Risen Lord and be strengthened to face our own struggles with courage and hope, knowing that the Lord is ever with us. As we celebrate the bright and joyous day of His Resurrection, let us exclaim with the Apostle Paul, “O death, where is thy sting? O hell, where is thy victory?” (1 Corinthians 15:55).  And let us all partake of the Banquet of Immortality, the Feast of Faith, with joy and thanksgiving.

With love in the Risen Lord,

+TIKHON
Archbishop of Washington
Metropolitan of All America and Canada

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The Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America called for ongoing prayers reflecting the growing support for Metropolitan Paul Yazigi of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Aleppo and Mar Gregorios Yohanna Ibrahim of the Syriac Orthodox Archdiocese of Aleppo, who were abducted on April 22, 2013 while traveling together on the road between Antioch (Antakya, Turkey) and the northern Syrian city of Aleppo.  The driver of the vehicle in which they were traveling was killed in the attack.

“We also encourage people to sign and promote the on-line petition, calling for United States government action on behalf of the abducted metropolitans,” read a release dated April 29 on the Archdiocese’s web site.  “Support and attention for Archbishop Paul and Archbishop John continues to grow.”

In related news, the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of North and Central America has published a joint letter to US Secretary of State John Kerry.  Similar statements by other hierarchs are posted on the Archdiocese’s web site.

Additional information will be posted as it is received.

For the first time since his election as Primate of the Orthodox Church in America in November 2012, His Beatitude, Metropolitan Tikhon visited an Orthodox Christian military community in the US.

Metropolitan Tikhon was welcomed at Fort Bliss, TX—the premier US Army installation and the largest mobilization and demobilization site—by CH (COL) Peter A. Baktis, Senior Chaplain, on Friday, April 26, 2013. He visited the Garrison Commander and was briefed on various operations, procedures and processes involving soldiers, airmen, sailors, marines and members of the Coast Guard and the Brigade Modernization Command.

On Saturday, April 27, Metropolitan Tikhon celebrated the Divine Liturgy at Chapel #3. That evening, he presided at Great Vespers. On Sunday morning—Palm Sunday—he celebrated the Divine Liturgy before returning to New York.

Located in El Paso, TX, Fort Bliss is home to the 1st Armored Division. “We are a FORSCOM installation comprised of other commands: MEDCOM, JTF-NORTH, TRADOC, USAR, and other elements,” added Father Baktis.

• A photo gallery of Lazarus Saturday can be viewed on the OCA web site and OCA Facebook page.
• A photo gallery of Palm Sunday can be viewed on the OCA web site and OCA Facebook page.

The April edition of “Wonder” — the on-line journal of the Orthodox Church in America’s Department of Youth, Young Adult, and Campus Ministry — is now available.

This month’s theme, “Behold, Dying We Live!” features reflections on the Christian understanding of death in preparation for our annual celebration of our Lord’s passion, death and resurrection.

In his article “A Christian Ending to Our Life”, Mr. Logan Johnson shares his experiences as a Chaplain Resident in a major hospital. Archpriest Steven Voytovich, head of the OCA Department of Institutional Chaplians, shares his journey with a young man whose life is ending. Dr. Albert Rossi shares his own near-death experience in his article “Death Gives Life.” Finally, the blog’s editors have reprinted an article by Protopresbyter Alexander Schmemann, titled “The Christian Concept of Death.”

The theme of the May edition of Wonder — “Who is my Neighbor?” — will focus on answering that scriptural question. Deadline for submissions is May 15.

As always, readers are invited to submit articles, creative writing, artwork, poetry, photos, and videos for future installments.  Suggested topics are always welcome. Send all materials and comments to wonder@oca.org.

To subscribe to “Wonder,” log on to ocawonder.com and click the “sign me up” link on the left side of the page.

Activities and materials for Saint Thomas Sunday, Pentecost and the summer season are now available from the Department of Christian Education of the Orthodox Church in America.

Among the many resources available are

• “My Lord and My God”—A presentation for Saint Thomas Sunday, which falls on May 12 this year.  Available at dce.oca.org/assets/files/resources/presentation-for-st-thomas-sunday1.pdf.
• Pentecost activities may be accessed at dce.oca.org/assets/files/resources/Pentecost-Activities.pdf.
• Outdoor summer activities are available at dce.oca.org/assets/files/resources/DCE-Summer-Activities-2012.pdf.

The Department also produces an excellent series of weekly bulletin inserts, which may be accessed at dce.oca.org/page/bulletins.

In related news, Department members have been busy with last minute plans for the July 2013 Parish Ministries Conference they will be hosting in conjunction with three other OCA ministry departments in Arlington, VA.  His Beatitude, Metropolitan Tikhon and Protopresbyter Thomas Hopko are the keynote speakers.  For additional information, registration guidelines, and other resources, please visit oca.org/news/headline-news/registration-now-open-for-summer-2013-parish-ministries-conference.

Canonsburg, PA: FOCA National Basketball Tournament to be held May 17-19 A Midwest parish’s teams are getting ready for FOCA Tournament!

Final registration is now underway for the Fellowship of Orthodox Christians in America [FOCA] National Basketball Tournament, hosted by Saint John the Baptist Church “O” Club, in Canonsburg, PA May 17-19, 2013. The tournament annually attracts hundreds of participants representing all age groups, youth through adult. The Hilton Garden Inn Pittsburgh/Southpointe will be housing participants. For additional information please contact Diane Yarosh at varosh1117@comcast.net, or visit the FOCA web site , where information on the FOCA’s upcoming golf and bowling tournaments also is available.

Fleetwood, PA: OCPM Seeks Development Director

Orthodox Christian Prison Ministry [OCPM], an agency of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of North and Central America, is seeking a Director of Development. The ideal candidate will be one who embraces the mission of the organization and believes and practices the basics of the Orthodox Christian life. In addition to fundraising, information management, planning, and other duties, the Director of Development will be required to articulate the mission of OCPM and secure the moral and financial support of others to fulfill the ministry. A detailed job description is available. Interested applicants should send a cover letter and resume to info@theocpm.org. Orthodox Christian Prison Ministry brings the love of Christ to those who are in prison by providing encouragement, material support, transition and reintegration services, Christian education, spiritual guidance, and the sacramental life of the Church to prisoners and their families.

Rahway, NJ: Spirit of Orthodoxy Choir to present concert June 2

Hamilton Stage, 360 Hamilton Street, Rahway, NJ will be the venue for a concert presented by the Spirit of Orthodoxy Festival Chorus June 2, 2013. The 50-voice chorus, under the direction of noted conductor Aleksei V. Shipovalnikov, features singers from New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania representing parishes of the Orthodox Church in America, Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America, and Patriarchal Parishes in the USA. Tickets go on sale May 15 and may be ordered by calling 732-428-4592.

Detroit, MI:  Volunteers sought for “Urban Mission” June 14-16

With the continued blessing of His Eminence, Archbishop Nathaniel of Detroit and the Romanian Episcopate, Saint Raphael of Brooklyn Church, Detroit, will sponsor its annual “Urban Mission” June 14-16, 2013. Organized as a “working retreat for adults and young adults,” Urban Mission will assist local ministries through Orthodox Detroit Outreach. Detailed information and registration forms are available at straphaeldetroit.org/urbanmission.html.

Washington, DC:  Metropolitan Tikhon invited to speak at Orientale Lumen Conference June 17-20

His Beatitude, Metropolitan Tikhon, has been invited to speak at the Orientale Lumen XVII Conference at Washington Retreat House in the US capital June 17-20, 2013. The annual gathering is sponsored jointly by the Society of Saint John Chrysostom, the Orientale Lumen Foundation, and Eastern Christian Publications. The conference theme—“Vision of a Reunited Church”—will be developed by a number of speakers moderated by the Rev. Ron Roberson, CSP, of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops. Among the other Orthodox speakers are Priest Thomas FitzGerald, Hellenic College/Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology; and Sister Vassa [Larin] of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, University of Vienna, Austria. Several prominent Roman Catholic speakers will also address participants. Detailed information on registration fees, schedule, and accommodations may be found on-line. Videos of past conferences may be viewed at www.oltv.tv.

Santa Rosa, CA: Liturgical music “Master Class” June 27-29

Maestro Vladimir Gorbik, one of the most accomplished choral conductors in Russia today, will conduct a Master Class on the techniques and principles of liturgical singing at Saint Seraphim Church, Santa Rosa, CA June 27-29, 2013. Among the many topics to be explored are the uniqueness and high calling of sacred choral art, the primacy of the word in liturgical music, technical particularities of Orthodox liturgical music, and choral intonation, timbre, blend, ensemble, dicton, articulation, breathing and phrasing.  Detailed information and registration may be accessed here.

All parishes are encouraged to submit by e-mail a maximum of three [3] photos representing their Holy Week and Paschal celebrations to info@oca.org.  As in years past, the photos will be featured in a special photo gallery on the OCA web site and Facebook page.

Of special interest are photos of services, the faithful, processions, blessing of Paschal food, etc.  Please do not submit “artsy” photos of eggs, flowers, landscapes, or empty church buildings.

Please submit photos as attachments. Unfortunately, requests to extract photos from parish web sites, photo albums, slide shows, etc. cannot be honored. Please include in the body of the e-mail a caption for each photo, and clearly indicate the name and location of the parish.

Deadline for submitting photos is Monday, May 20, 2013.