Saint Anne Orthodox Church

Fifteen seminary students at Saint Tikhon’s Seminary here completed their Field Education requirements by visiting and ministering to the men who live in a Maximum Secure Mental Health facility.  This is a place where mentally ill criminals will spend the rest of their lives.

Archpriest John Kowalczyk oversees the Field Education program at the seminary.  A vital part of this program is the prison ministry in which Father John ministers 15 hours per week.  Each semester, he takes a group of seminary students to visit these men on a weekly basis.  It is an incredible ministry of presence and of love.

On May 8, 2012, these students received their certificates of completion.  Priest Stephen Powley, Assistant Director of Orthodox Christian Prison Ministry, flew in from Colorado to assist with this ceremony.  The Dean of the seminary, Archpriest Alexander Atty, warmly welcomed Father Stephen and expressed his total support of OCPM and the prison field education program.  Father Stephen thanked these students for their willingness to step out of their comfort zone to work in this prison.  He presented each student with a book used in prison ministry and two Icons.

Father Stephen reflected on that day:  “On Tuesday morning, Father John took me into that prison.  I had the chance to visit with many of the men that he and the students minister to each week.  As we met with those men, the impact of Father John’s ministry there became so very obvious.  Man after man broke into a big smile as they saw Father John approaching them.  They expressed their joy and called him by name.  His love for each of them was so incredible to witness.  Most people think of prison ministry as someone bringing Christ to those in prison.  Father John comes to visit Jesus in prison; he sees Christ in every one of them.  I believe he looks at them and sees what they could become in Christ, not judging them for their sins.  I know the lives and ministries of these future Orthodox priests have been impacted greatly; their lives will never be the same.”

On Wednesday afternoon, Father Stephen gave a power-point presentation to students and their families and members of the seminary faculty.  The theme was two-fold:  “Stepping out of your comfort zone” and “Orthodoxy in a hostile world”.  The presentation was very well received.  He challenged those present to be willing “to step out of their comfort zones and reach out to the unlovable of our society in the very midst of this hostile world we live in.”

Afterward, Father Stephen said: “Many of the students talked with me after this presentation.  Each one seemed like a Divine Appointment as we talked privately together.  I could sense the wonderful impact on both them and me.  I have no doubts that these future priests will truly make a difference in this world for the Glory of God.  As our Lord did, they also will be bringing the Gospel to the sick and needy of our society.”

Father Stephen continued:  “On Thursday morning I had a breakfast discussion with several students and then left for the airport with Father John.  We took time to process some of what had taken place during my visit there.  This turned out to be perhaps one of the most important trips I have taken for OCPM.  It was an opportunity to touch the lives and ministries of many future Orthodox priests and to have my own life touched by them.  This wonderful Field Education program is exactly what OCPM is all about.  I am so very thankful for Father John and these seminary students.  I am certain that as these men of God begin to serve parishes across the United States, they will also be reaching out to those who are in prison and those who are in desperate need of help.  I hope that OCPM will be a part of Saint Tikhon’s Seminary each and every year.”

A gallery of photos may be viewed here.

Information on the work of Orthodox Christian Prison Ministry may be found on their website.

Saint Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary is pleased to announce it has received a $40,000 special planning grant from the Henry Luce Foundation that will assist the seminary in laying the groundwork for a collaborative project with the famed Orthodox Christian Estonian composer, Arvo Pärt.  The seminary envisions the “Arvo Pärt Project” as including a unique concert and lecture venture as well as publications about the composer’s life and works. The Program Director for Theology at Luce Foundation, Lynn Szwaja, recommended the funding of the project and informed the seminary of the Foundation’s support in a letter dated May 1, 2012.

Chancellor/CEO of the seminary, Archpriest Chad Hatfield, acknowledged the Luce grant with gratitude, saying, “Our seminary has been shifting and rebuilding our musical program, including special events, over the last few years. We have achieved amazing things and learned much in the process. Now, with this generous grant from the Henry Luce Foundation we are well on our way to fulfilling our dream of special ventures centered around the life and work of Arvo Pärt.”

Pärt is one of the world’s most celebrated and performed living composers, and his uniquely developed musical genre, known as tintinnabulation, has proved itself universally compelling; it has extended beyond the circles of classical music and has included admirers in the pop and rock music worlds. Moreover, there exists an inextricable connection between Pärt’s musical methodology and his inner creative impulse—with Orthodox Christian spirituality at its core—and it is this connection that Saint Vladimir’s Seminary will explore and promulgate as it develops the project.

The project was initiated by two faculty members of Saint Vladimir’s: Dr. Peter C. Bouteneff, associate professor of Systematic Theology, and Dr. Nicholas Reeves, assistant professor of Liturgical Music. Both have been meeting personally with Pärt and his wife and manager, Nora, to develop the project.

Remarking on the inspiration for the project, Dr. Bouteneff said, “On the one hand, this collaboration makes such perfect sense. Yet the fact that it is actually happening, that Arvo Pärt has welcomed us with enthusiasm, feels like a miracle, and it is a profound honor to the seminary.”

Dr. Reeves spoke further about the development of the project, noting, “Many concert goers know Arvo Pärt‘s music, and some realize a connection between his works and the spiritual life while others sense instinctively an otherworldly character inherent in his compositions.

“This project with Arvo Pärt seeks to make clearer for all admirers of these pieces their religious and, many times, Orthodox underpinnings, which remain virtually unknown to the general public,” he concluded.

Both professors expressed their gratitude to the Luce Foundation, with Dr. Bouteneff saying, “The Luce Foundation’s support of theological education is some of the most creative and finely-tuned in the landscape of philanthropy. With this grant they have helped put us squarely on the road to a project of far-reaching significance and of great beauty.”

Further details about the Arvo Pärt project will be posted regularly on the seminary’s web site.

Holy Dormition of the Mother of God here provided the setting for the Spring Session of the Holy Synod of Bishops of the Orthodox Church in America May 7-10, 2012.

In addition to reviewing a variety of matters affecting the life of the Church, the hierarchs participated in the daily cycle of services at the monastery, including the Divine Liturgy, which provided an essential spiritual dimension to their undertakings. They also visited the Ascension of the Lord Monastery, Clinton, MI, and the Vatra, the headquarters of the OCA’s Romanian Episcopate, Grass Lake, MI.

His Beatitude, Metropolitan Jonah, presided at the opening Divine Liturgy and the sessions. In his address to his fellow hierarchs, he offered a comprehensive overview of his activities and ministries. The members of the Holy Synod also approved his travel schedule, as presented.

Highlights of the session include the following.

• In his report to the Holy Synod, Archpriest John Jillions, Chancellor, reviewed his work at the Chancery, spoke of the good working relationship he maintains with Metropolitan Jonah, and cited the professionalism of the other officers and members of the Chancery staff. He summarized the work of a number of committees and updated the hierarchs on a number of other current issues.
• Archpriest Eric G. Tosi, Secretary, updated the hierarchs on staff changes and the development of job descriptions for department chairs. He also reported on the Orthodox Health Plan.
• In her comprehensive report, Ms. Melanie Ringa, Treasurer, noted that a surplus was realized at the conclusion of the first quarter of 2012. She also reported that, with the approval of the Metropolitan Council, a bequest has been used to pay down the Honesdale National Bank loan. Further, she updated the hierarchs with regard to an estate that had been left to the OCA.
• Archpriest Leonid Kishkovsky of the Department of External Affairs updated the hierarchs on a number of recent developments throughout the Orthodox world. In related news, the members of the Holy Synod appointed His Grace, Bishop Alexander of Toledo and the Bulgarian Diocese chair of the Department of External Affairs.
• In other episcopal appointments, the hierarchs confirmed His Eminence, Archbishop Nathaniel as Chair of the Holy Synod Canonical Commission and the Holy Synod Canonization Commission.
• In response to questions presented by Father Tosi concerning the Procedures for Petitioning for Ordination and the logistics of conducting psychological evaluations, the members of the Holy Synod reaffirmed that all candidates for ordination — as well as clergy wishing to transfer into the OCA — must undergo the approved battery of psychological evaluations. They further recommended that any Bishop who does not have direct access to the services offered at the seminaries should retain the services of a local psychologist. Each Bishop is also encouraged to solicit mental health professionals to assist in interpreting test results.
• The hierarchs requested that the OCA Clergy Guidelines and Policies, Standards and Procedures for Sexual Misconduct be translated into Spanish, Russian and French.
• With regard to OCA clergy being placed “on loan” to serve in other jurisdictions, the hierarchs reaffirmed their previous decision that, especially in long-term cases, this should be discouraged.
• Protodeacon Peter Danilchick and Eric Namee, members of the Secretariat of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops in North and Cental America, offered a presentation on the Assembly’s work. They emphasized the importance of inter-Orthodox efforts on the grass roots level while fielding a number of questions ranging from organizational concerns to the endorsement of Orthodox military chaplains. In a related matter, Thaddeus Wojcik, OCA General Counsel, offered comments on the Assembly’s articles of incorporation and by-laws.
• In response to questions of a pastoral nature vis-à-vis non-Chalcedonian Christians, the members of the Holy Synod reaffirmed that they are received into the Church through the sacraments of Confession and Communion. However, should they later return to their own Church, they no longer would be admitted to communion in the Orthodox Church.
• Protocols associated with the Sacred Antimensia were reviewed. The hierarchs reaffirmed that Antimensia should contain relics of martyrs, although relics of Holy Confessors are acceptable. Antimensia may be replaced by a new bishop, who may also update them by placing his signature under that of the previous bishop.
• In response to a proposal of Metropolitan Jonah, diocesan bishops with five years’ tenure will be elevated to the dignity of Archbishop. Hence, His Grace, Bishop Nikon; His Grace, Bishop TIkhon; His Grace, Bishop Benjamin; and His Grace, Bishop Alejo were congratulated on their elevations. Statements will be issued to their respective dioceses concerning this decision.
• The hierarchs formally noted that Sunday, May 6, 2012 marked the 10th anniversary of the late Bishop Innocent [Gula]. May his memory be eternal!

Each diocesan hierarch offered a report on the life of his respective diocese. In closed sessions, the hierarchs addressed a number of legal and related matters.

The members of the Holy Synod expressed their deep gratitude to Archbishop Nathaniel for his hospitality in hosting the meeting and to Abbess Gabriella and the nuns of Holy Dormition Monastery. His Grace, Bishop Ireneu, the monks of Holy Ascension Monastery, and the Vatra staff also were thanked for hosting the hierarchs’ visits.

In addition to those hierarchs noted above, other bishops participating in the Holy Synod Spring Session included His Grace, Bishop Tikhon of Philadelphia and Eastern Pennsylvania; His Grace, Bishop Melchisedek of Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania; His Grace, Bishop Michael of New York and New York and New Jersey; His Grace, Bishop Matthias of Chicago and the Midwest; His Grace, Bishop Mark, Auxiliary Bishop of Baltimore; and His Grace, Bishop Irénée Auxiliary Bishop of Quebec City and Administrator of the Archdiocese of Canada.

A gallery of photos may be accessed here.

A variety of resources for teaching and celebrating the Great Feasts of the Ascension and Pentecost are available on the web site of the Department of Christian Education.

Activities related to the Ascension, as well as the post-Resurrection appearances of Christ, may be found in PDF format.  Pentecost activities, which include craft suggestions, are also available.

The activities are suitable for a variety of age groups and may be used in class and home settings, says Valerie Zahirsky, DCE Chair.

Visit the DCE web site for a wealth of educational resources, many of which can be used in upcoming Vacation Church School and camp programs.

Saint Vladimir’s Seminary Chorale delivered a stunning performance of sacred music in the heart of Manhattan on Monday evening, May 7, 2012.  With artistic execution and prayerful potency, the singers filled the warm and inviting space of Saint Malachy’s Chapel with a sound fitting for heaven—and needful on earth.

Through a multi-media presentation titled “Orient: Sacred Song and Image,” the chorale combined word and image to create an evangelical message that proved to be both spiritually powerful and aesthetically absorbing.  The performance employed a variety of iconographic projections and liturgical compositions from the Orthodox Christian tradition, seamlessly matched to create a joyous yet profound experience for concert goers, who listened in rapt attention to the 22-voice chorus and expressed their appreciation to the chorale with a long lasting and standing ovation.

Matushka Robin Freeman, a staff member in the Advancement Office at the seminary who holds a Master of Music degree in Choral Conducting from Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music, created the concert format and conducted in its premiere at IU’s Jacobs School of Music in 2010.  She served as one of the concert conductors for the New York City premiere, along with Hierodeacon Herman, lecturer in Liturgical Music and Chapel Choir Director at the seminary.

Seminary Chancellor and CEO, Archpriest Chad Hatfield, served as Master of Ceremonies for the evening, and in keeping with concert’s theme, he delivered a homily about the Resurrection of Christ, near the conclusion of the program.  Following Father Chad’s homily, the producer of the concert, Dr. Nicholas Reeves, assistant professor of Liturgical Music at the seminary, expressed his profound gratitude to Father Richard Baker, rector of Saint Malachy’s Chapel (The Actors’ Chapel), and to his parishioners for their generous “gift of space” for the concert venue.  The evening concluded with the entire audience joyously singing the traditional Paschal hymn to the Mother of God, “The Angel Cried.”

View a video clip of the concert here and read the full story here.

Photo credit: Vadim Arslanov

For decades, the dedicated members of the Century Association of Saint Tikhon’s Orthodox Theological Seminary, South Canaan, PA, have provided financial assistance to the seminary, its programs, and its students.

On Sunday, May 6, 2012, the Association hosted its third annual event, “Hospitality ala Russe,” at Saint John’s Center, Mayfield, PA. Through this tremendous outpouring of generosity and the combined effort of all who contributed and volunteered to make the event a success, Century Association President Sarah Jubinski presented the Association’s second installment check of $25,000.00 to Archpriest Alexander Atty, seminary dean.

The festival featured a magnificent “Russian Table” including a variety of traditional delicacies and entrees that included beef Stroganoff and Chicken ala Russe.

Additional information on and a photo gallery of the memorable evening may be viewed on the seminary web site.

Metropolitan Jonah celebrates opening Service of Thanksgiving at Dormition Monastery, Rives Junction, MI on Monday, May 7, 2012.

The Spring Session of the Holy Synod of Bishops of the Orthodox Church in America opened at the Dormition of the Mother of God Monastery here on Monday morning, May 7, 2012.

His Beatitude, Metropolitan Jonah, celebrated the opening Service of Thanksgiving, after which he delivered his opening address. Reports on external and legal affairs and the life of the dioceses will be heard, together with a presentation on the work of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of North and Central America.

After the celebration of the Divine Liturgy in the monastery church on Tuesday, additional diocesan reports will be heard, after which the hierarchs will travel to the Vatra, headquarters of the Romanian Orthodox Episcopate, where they will be hosted by His Eminence, Archbishop Nathaniel of Detroit. Great Vespers for the Feast of Mid-Pentecost will be celebrated in Vatra’s Chapel of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Following the celebration of the Divine Liturgy for the Feast of Mid-Pentecost at Dormition Monastery on Wednesday, May 9, sessions will resume, with a variety of issues, including parish vacancies and clergy concerns and awards slated to be considered by the hierarchs.

On Thursday, May 10, the hierarchs will hear reports by the OCA officers — Archpriests John Jillions, Chancellor, and Eric Tosi, Secretary, and Melanie Ringa, Treasurer. Reports on the work of the OCA’s departments will be offered, as will a review of the 16th All-American Council. That afternoon, the hierarchs will visit the Ascension of Our Lord Monastery, which recently relocated to Clinton, MI from Detroit.

The Spring Session will conclude on Friday, May 11.

Updates will be posted on the OCA web site as they are received.

A photo gallery of the meeting may be viewed here.

Bishop Michael presides at Sunday morning Divine Liturgy.

For the first time in its history, the Fellowship of Orthodox Christians in America [FOCA] sponsored a combined basketball and bowling tournament here May 4-6, 2012.

Approximately 400 youth, young adults and others participated with bowling at the Brunswick Lanes in East Brunswick (including laser light bowling for kids) on Friday and Saturday and 23 teams (boys, girls and adults) playing basketball on the campus of Rutgers University in nearby New Brunswick on Saturday and Sunday.  Teams represented Cleveland, Campbell, Pittsburgh, Canonsburg, Central PA and New Jersey.

The clergy foul-shooting contest again was won by Father Paul Suda.

Vespers was celebrated at the hotel, followed by an awards banquet and DJ entertainment.

His Grace, Bishop Michael of New York and New Jersey presided at the Sunday Divine Liturgy at Saints Peter and Paul Church in South River, assisted by seven priests, including the host pastor, Priest David Garretson, a protodeacon, subdeacons and 14 altar servers.  Basil Kozak directed the parish choir, which was joined by tournament participants.

Bishop Michael remarked, “It is truly a blessing for me to be with so many young people from various parishes across this nation – young people who are the future leaders of our Orthodox Church in this country. As you participate in this year’s sports events, the fun and competition afford us the opportunity to reflect on one of life’s most important lessons. Think about this for a moment: to sink a three-pointer on the court, you have to give up the basketball; to make a strike in bowling, you have to give up the ball. So too in life, to truly be a success – as a spouse or a parent or an Orthodox Christian – we have to give of ourselves, of our time and talent and treasure; we have to sacrifice our will, our wants, our ways for the other; we have to share sacrificial love for our family and our friends, for our Lord and His Church.”

A brunch followed liturgy at the parish hall.

The championship basketball games were played on Sunday afternoon. Complete results and photos of both tourneys will appear in the spring issue of the FOCA’s Orthodox Christian Journal.

The South River “R” Club was the host chapter, with Allison and Michael Steffaro as chairs. National Sports Director Anthony Schultz, Ken Baron, and the committee coordinated the athletic events.

For more information on the FOCA, visit orthodoxfellowship.org.

Archimandrite Alexander [Golitzin] was consecrated Bishop of Toledo and the Bulgarian Diocese during a Hierarchical Divine Liturgy here at Saint George Orthodox Cathedral on Saturday, May 5, 2012.

His Beatitude, Metropolitan Jonah, presided at the consecration Divine Liturgy. Concelebrating were His Eminence, Archbishop Nathaniel; His Grace, Bishop Nikon; His Grace, Bishop Tikhon; His Grace, Bishop Benjamin; His Grace, Bishop Melchisedek, who served as Locum Tenens of the diocese; His Grace, Bishop Michael; His Grace, Bishop Matthias; His Grace, Bishop Irineu; His Grace, Bishop Mark; and His Grace, Bishop Irenee.

Joining members of the Bulgarian Diocese were clergy and faithful from sister OCA dioceses, other Toledo-area Orthodox parishes, monastics from Saint John of Shanghai Monastery in Manton, CA, Holy Transfiguration Monastery in Elwood City, PA, and Holy Dormition Monastery in Rives Junction, MI, together with representatives from St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary, including seminary Dean, Archpriest John Behr, and a number of Bishop Alexander’s former students from the USA and Canada.

A special guest taking part in the consecration was Bishop Alexander’s brother, Protodeacon George Golitzin, who was representing Bishop Alexander’s family. Also in attendance were representatives from the Theology Department of Marquette University. Another special guest at Friday evening’s service was Bishop Leonard Blair, Roman Catholic Bishop of Toledo.

A choir including singers from parishes throughout the Bulgarian Diocese and guests from other OCA parishes sang the liturgical responses.

During the Liturgy, Bishop Alexander ordained Subdeacon Basil Frenchek to the diaconate.

On the evening of Friday, May 4, prior to celebrating Great Vespers, Bishop-elect Alexander made his public acceptance of his election. In his address he stated that, “when standing before the holy altar at the anaphora, the bishop images forth the one and unique High Priest, Christ, Who acts through His celebrant.” He then added that, “while it is true that our Lord Jesus is true God and true King, it is also true that He did not come to us, His creatures, with the pomp and splendor of the King, attended by the legions of heaven, but rather in humility He emptied Himself and was found in the likeness of a servant.”

Bishop-elect Alexander continued by saying, “They are very different images, the first set revelatory of the splendor of heaven, and the second of the humility, long-suffering, and charity of our Lord’s life and ministry. My first conclusion is that I must keep this difference firmly in mind throughout my life as bishop, by which I mean the glory of the liturgical iconography should have no place in my office and day-to-day demeanor. My actions, my patterns of speech, my service in short, is to be determined by the example given us by God the Word Himself.”

In June 2010, the Bulgarian Diocese initiated a search for a candidate to succeed His Eminence, Archbishop Kirill who reposed in the Lord in 2007. “Of the 22 possible candidates reviewed in the first phase of the search, after an intensive review process, two candidates were presented to the diocese’s Fifth Congress-Sobor in June 2011,” noted the diocesan Consecration Committee Chair, Archpriest Andrew Jarmus.  “Bishop Alexander was the candidate elected by the Congress-Sobor’s clergy and lay delegates.”

In October 2011, the members of the OCA’s Holy Synod of Bishops elected Archimandrite Alexander Bishop of Toledo and the Bulgarian Diocese.

Raised at Saint Innocent Church, Tarzana, CA, Bishop Alexander received a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from the University of California at Berkeley and a Master of Divinity degree from Saint Vladimir’s Seminary. He spent seven years pursuing doctoral studies at Oxford University in England under His Eminence, Metropolitan Kallistos [Ware]. During this time, he also spent two years in Greece, including one year at Simonos Petras Monastery on Mount Athos.

After receiving his D.Phil. in 1980, Bishop Alexander returned to the US. He was ordained to the diaconate in January 1982 and to the priesthood two years later. In 1986, he was tonsured to monastic orders. He served OCA missions in northern California and headed the Diocese of the West’s mission committee.

In 1989, Bishop Alexander took a teaching position with the Theology Department at Marquette University in Milwaukee, WI, a position which he left at the end of April this year. While teaching at Marquette University, he had been attached to Saints Cyril and Methodius Church, Milwaukee, WI. For 22 years he preached, taught and served at Saints Cyril and Methodius Church, and witnessed to the Gospel and to Orthodox Christian theology at Marquette University. He helped attract a dozen Orthodox Christian students to doctoral work in theology at Marquette.

Bishop Alexander becomes the second Bishop of Toledo and the Bulgarian Diocese. He succeeds His Eminence, the late Archbishop Kirill [Yonchev]. Archbishop Kirill had overseen the diocese from 1964 to 2007; in 1976, Archbishop Kirill brought the diocese under the omophorion of the Orthodox Church in America.

The Bulgarian Diocese includes 19 parishes and missions and one monastery.

A photo gallery of the consecration Liturgy may be viewed here.

His Beatitude, Metropolitan Jonah, and the members of the Holy Synod of Bishops of the Orthodox Church in America consecrated Archimandrite Alexander [Golitzin] to the episcopacy during the Divine Liturgy at Saint George Cathedral here Saturday, May 5, 2012.

A photo gallery of the consecration rites may be accessed here. Additional information will be posted on the OCA web site as it becomes available.

The consecration weekend opened with the celebration of Vespers at the cathedral on Friday, May 4, during which Bishop-elect Alexander offered his profession of faith before the members of the Holy Synod of Bishops.  On Sunday, May 6, Bishop Alexander will celebrate the Divine Liturgy at the cathedral at 9:30 a.m., at which time he will be enthroned.

On October 4, 2011, the members of the Holy Synod canonically elected Archimandrite Alexander to the vacant See of Toledo and the OCA’s Bulgarian Diocese. The election followed a year-long search on the part of the diocese, during which a number of candidates to fill the See proclaimed vacant upon the repose of His Eminence, the late Archbishop Kyrill, were considered. He was nominated by delegates to the diocese’s Fifth Congress-Sobor June 9, 2011.

Raised at Saint Innocent Church, Tarzana, CA, Archimandrite Alexander received a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from the University of California at Berkeley and a Master of Divinity degree from Saint Vladimir’s Seminary. He spent seven years pursuing doctoral studies at Oxford University in England under His Eminence, Metropolitan Kallistos [Ware]. During this time, he also spent two years in Greece, including one year at Simonos Petras Monastery on Mount Athos.

After receiving his Doctorate in Philosophy in 1980, he returned to the US, where he was ordained to the diaconate in January 1982 and to the priesthood two years later. In 1986, he was tonsured to monastic orders. He served OCA missions in northern California and headed the Diocese of the West’s mission committee. In 1989, he accepted a teaching position in the Theology Department of Milwaukee’s Marquette University, a position that he held until recently. Concurrently, he was attached to the city’s Saints Cyril and Methodius Church.

The Bulgarian Diocese includes 19 parishes and missions and one monastery.

As part of the “Strategic Plan for the Orthodox Church in America: A Comprehensive Action Plan for the Next Decade,” the Youth and Young adult working group is looking for your help.

According to Priest Christopher Rowe, the Youth and Young Adult Strategic Plan implementation leader, “Our vision is to develop a way to connect our Lord and His Church to the lives of our youth. We think tools like Facebook and YouTube can help make those connections.”

The implementation team is looking for volunteers to help develop this Facebook page as well as provide on-going support for the site.

“Our vision of the Facebook page is to take the existing department page to a new level – to work toward something that is more dynamic,” said Fr. Chris.  “We really want a place where our youth can come and safely interact with others and learn more about their faith and the Church.  We want the site to be very much alive and interactive, and a place where our youth can safely address contemporary moral and cultural issues they encounter.”

Read more about the social media project here.

Archimandrite Alexander

His Beatitude, Metropolitan Jonah, and the members of the Holy Synod of Bishops of the Orthodox Church in America will consecrate Archimandrite Alexander [Golitzin] to the episcopacy at Saint George Cathedral here Saturday, May 5, 2012.

On October 4, 2011, the members of the Holy Synod canonically elected Archimandrite Alexander to the vacant See of Toledo and the OCA’s Bulgarian Diocese. The election followed a year-long search on the part of the diocese, during which a number of candidates to fill the See proclaimed vacant upon the repose of His Eminence, the late Archbishop Kyrill, were considered. He was nominated by delegates to the diocese’s Fifth Congress-Sobor June 9, 2011.

The consecration weekend will begin with the celebration of Vespers at the cathedral on Friday, May 4, at 7:00 p.m. During Vespers, Archimandrite Alexander will make his profession of faith before the members of the Holy Synod of Bishops. A reception will follow in the cathedral hall.

At 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 5, Metropolitan Jonah will be greeted at the cathedral entrance, after which he will join his brother hierarchs for the Consecration Divine Liturgy. A banquet will follow in the cathedral hall. Great Vespers will be celebrated at 6:00 p.m.

On Sunday, May 6, Bishop Alexander will serve the Divine Liturgy at the cathedral at 9:30 a.m., at which time he will be enthroned. A brunch will follow in the cathedral hall.

Raised at Saint Innocent Church, Tarzana, CA, Archimandrite Alexander received a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from the University of California at Berkeley and a Master of Divinity degree from Saint Vladimir’s Seminary. He spent seven years pursuing doctoral studies at Oxford University in England under His Eminence, Metropolitan Kallistos [Ware]. During this time, he also spent two years in Greece, including one year at Simonos Petras Monastery on Mount Athos.

After receiving his Doctorate in Philosophy in 1980, he returned to the US, where he was ordained to the diaconate in January 1982 and to the priesthood two years later. In 1986, he was tonsured to monastic orders. He served OCA missions in northern California and headed the Diocese of the West’s mission committee. In 1989, he accepted a teaching position in the Theology Department of Milwaukee’s Marquette University, a position that he held until recently.  Concurrently, he was attached to the city’s Saints Cyril and Methodius Church.

The Bulgarian Diocese includes 19 parishes and missions and one monastery.

Additional information concerning the consecration, banquet, housing and transportation has been sent to all parishes of the Bulgarian Diocese and may be found on the diocesan web site. Questions may be directed to Saint George Cathedral at 419-662-3922.

It was in 1905 that faithful Orthodox Christians processed from Saint John the Baptist Church, Mayfield, PA, to South Canaan for the formal opening of Saint Tikhon’s Monastery.

This year, faithful are invited to “walk in our forefathers’ footsteps” on Sunday, May 27 in a procession that follows the same route “from Mayfield to the Monastery.”

The procession to the monastery will begin with the celebration of the Sunday morning Divine Liturgy at Saint John the Baptst Church [Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia], Mayfield, at 9:30 a.m. Archpriest John Sorochka and the parish faithful will host a luncheon after the Liturgy. Following the celebration of a Service of Prayer, faithful will set out for the 3.5 hour, 11-mile procession to the Monastery.

“Similar processions to the monastery in recent years made their way from the main — and only! — intersection in South Canaan,” said Protodeacon Joseph Matusiak, who is helping to organize the procession. “This year will mark the first time in recent memory that the route will take that followed over 100 years ago.”

Young adults, college students, OCF members and chapters, and youth are especially encouraged to participate.  Parishes are encouraged to bring their banners to carry.

Pilgrims are invited to camp out on the monastery grounds on Saturday night, May 26. Group transportation to Saint John’s in Mayfield will be provided on Sunday morning. Camping will also be available on Sunday night, the eve of the monastery pilgrimage proper.

Pilgrims are asked to confirm their participation in the procession from Mayfield with Protodeacon Joseph at jmatusiak@oca.org or 914.318.7505. Please direct requests for further information to Protodeacon Joseph as well.

A detailed schedule of all pilgrimage services and activities was posted on the OCA web site on April 25.

Graffiti sprayed on the historic Holy Ascension of Our Lord Cathedral here in late April 2012 has “sparked outrage,” reported the Alaska Dispatch.

While the words “Dutch” and “Duncha,” written in a childish scrawl in gray spray paint, were quickly removed, the painful emotions among parishioners and other local residents lingers.

“I was very upset and hurt,” Vince Tutiakoff, parish committee president, told Dispatch reporters.  “This is the first time in all my years that someone has ever desecrated the church.”  He and four other men removed the graffiti.

The stately Russian-Colonial style church was built in 1896, replacing a series of earlier structures dating back to 1806.  In the 1820s, Father John Veniaminov — Saint Innocent of Alaska — became the parish’s first resident priest.

“It personally bothers me,” said Jamie Sunderland, director of the Unalaska Department of Public Safety.  “We’re going to push really hard on this one.  I think there’s a good chance we can solve it….  Spray painting a church? Come on, that’s horrible.”

Priest Andrew Kashevarof told reporters that the incident could be viewed as a hate crime.  Since the church is considered a National Historic Landmark, it could also constitute a federal offense.

“It’s pretty serious,” Father Andrew told reporters.  “They may have not been thinking about it at the time.  I hope and pray they never do it again.”

Holy Ascension of Our Lord Cathedral, as it stands today, was built in 1896.  The structure was restored in 1996. The interior is from the original chapel with the exception of the lower level of the bell tower, which had to be replaced.  The current cathedral is the 4th church built for the Unalaska parish.

This site has been used for a church as early as 1808 when the first chapel was built.  The first chapel was believed to have been octagonal.

In 1824 Fr. John Veniaminov was the first priest assigned to Unalaska.  He stayed for 10 years, then was transferred to Sitka. While in Unalaska he replaced the chapel in 1825. In his journals he states that, although the church buildings were built with the help of the Russian American company, all articles needed for worship (icons & candelabras) were given by local residents by donating their furs to the company in the name of the church.

When Father John Veniaminov arrived he learned the Aleut Language and translated many prayers and instructions into Aleut.  The Aleuts did not have an alphabet, so he used the Russian Cyrillic alphabet.  He learned the language proficiently enough to translate the Gospel of Matthew into Aleut in 1828.  One of his greatest works for the Aleuts is believed to be the book called “The Pathway to the Kingdom of Heaven,” which had been translated into 13 or 14 languages and is still in use today.

After his wife died, Fr John went back to Russia, where he became a monk, taking the name Innocent.  He was consecrated a bishop in Russia and assigned to the Alaskan Diocese, becoming the first resident bishop of America.  He served in this position for several years before being reassigned, and was ultimately elevated to the rank of Metropolitan of Moscow.  He was canonized in 1971 by the Russian Orthodox Church in Russia as St. Innocent, Enlightener of the Aleuts and Apostle to America.

A third church was built on this site in 1858 by Fr. Innokenty Shaisnikov.  This church was similar to the central part of the current cathedral without the side chapels.

Finally, in the 1890s the Holy Ascension of Our Lord Cathedral as it stands today was built.  It was completed and dedicated in 1896.  The Priest assigned to Unalaska at the time of building of the cathedral was Fr. Alexander Kedrovsky, who served the parish from 1894 to 1908.  The cathedral had 7 bells in the bell tower.  Through the years of ringing the bells, one had cracked and had to be taken down awaiting repairs.  The remaining six bells are still rung during the divine services.

Located throughout the cathedral are several icons that date back to the 16th century from Russia.  In the central part of the cathedral, above the royal doors, is the long mural with different saints which goes all the way across the iconostas.  Although this icon was not in the 1910 park service photo, it is believed to have been a gift from the last Czar of Russia and is assumed to have been donated sometime between 1910 and 1917 before the fall of the Czar.

Holy Ascension Cathedral has two side chapels.  The one on the right is dedicated to St. Sergei of Radonezh.  It is believed to have the original iconostas from the 1808 chapel, with the exception of the royal doors which were from the church built by Fr. John Veniaminov in 1825.

The chapel on the left was originally dedicated to St. Innocent of Irkutsk. It has the iconostas from the 1825 chapel that Fr. John Veniaminov built, except for the royal doors, which were from the 1808 chapel.  Within this chapel we have a copy of the Aleut Gospel of Matthew translated by Fr. John in 1828 and a hand cross believed to be brought here by Fr. John dated 1800.  Also in this chapel are several icons that are believed to have been written by an Aleut iconographer, Ivan Krukov, who studied under Fr. John. One of these icons believed to be his work, an icon of St. Andrew, has mountains, volcanoes and terrain similar to the Aleutian Chain in the background.  When the Cathedral was rededicated in 1996, this chapel was dedicated to St. Innocent of Irkutsk and St. Innocent of Alaska (the former Fr. John Veniaminov, the first resident priest of the parish).

The services are still sung and chanted in the Aleut language, Slavonic, and in English.

EDITOR’S NOTE:  Please send regional and deanery news and photos to NEWS ELSEWHERE at info@oca.org.

• WILKESON, WA: Historic Holy Trinity Church to celebrate 110th consecration anniversary

The 110th anniversary of the consecration of Holy Trinity Church, Wilkeson, WA, will be celebrated in September 2012. His Grace Bishop Benjamin of San Francisco and the West will celebrate the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy with Archpriest John Pierce, rector of Holy Trinity Church and Holy Resurrection Church, Tacoma, WA, and Orthodox clergy from throughout the region. A celebration will follow.

Holy Trinity Church is listed on both national and state historical registers. It continues to serve the community on special occasions and feast days, as regular services are now held at the larger Holy Resurrection Church.

Founded in 1896, the parish ministered to the coal mining community in the Cascade Mountain foothills of southeast Pierce County, approximately 45 miles southeast of Seattle. Built in 1900, Holy Trinity Church was consecrated in 1902 by Bishop Saint TIkhon [Belavin] of the Aleutians and North America, who later returned to Russia where in 1917 he was elected Patriarch of Moscow. In 1925, he died as a confessor of the faith, a victim of the Soviet government’s anti-Church policies.

To assist in financing the restoration and maintenance of historic Holy Trinity Church, post cards depicting the church in 2011 and the 1910-20 era and icon cards of Saint Tikhon are available at $1.00 each. Please send check or money order to Holy Resurrection Church, PO Box 1332, Puyallup, WA 98371.

For additional information please visit www.orthodoxtacoma.com.

• OBERLIN-LORAIN, OH: Noted international author, lecturer to speak May 4-5

Jim Forest, author of “Praying with Icons” and numerous other widely read Orthodox Christian books, will be the guest of the Oberlin College Orthodox Christian Fellowship and Saints Peter and Paul Church, Lorain, OH, Friday and Saturday, May 4-5, 2012.

On Friday, May 4, Forest will deliver a lecture titled “Let us Pray to the Lord” at the Oberlin College West Lecture Hall, 119 Woodland St., Oberlin, OH at 7:00 p.m. He will focus on the seventh Beatitude — “Blessed are the peacemakers” — and reflect on peace as a primary theme of Christian life, Liturgy, and Tradition.

Forest will conduct a luncheon retreat at Saints Peter and Paul Church, 2238 East 32 St., Lorain, OH on Saturday, May 5, from noon until 3:00 p.m. The retreat theme is “The Road to Emmaus: Pilgrimage as a Way of Life,” in which he will example Christian life as a “pilgrim path” in which one lives day by day in a God-attentive way. Drawing on the wisdom of the saints and his own travels, he will consider both “thin places” and “dark places” that have helped make him a pilgrim.

An American ex-pat living in Alkmaar, Holland, Forest is the executive secretary of the Orthodox Peace Fellowship and associate editor of OPF’s journal and web site, In Communion. In addition to “Praying with Icons,” he also is author of “The Road to Emmaus: Pilgrimage as a Way of Life,” “Ladder of the Beatitudes,” “Living With Wisdom: A Biography of Thomas Merton,” and “All Is Grace: A Biography of Dorothy Day.” He also has written several children’s books. He and his wife Nancy are members of Saint Nicholas Orthodox Church, Amsterdam.

For additional information please contact Archpriest Basil Stoyka, host pastor, at bstoyk2238@aol.com or 440-277-5281 or Chris Baymiller at chris.baymiller@oberlin.edu or 440-935-7652.

• DETROIT, MI:  May 20 Pan-Orthodox dinner-dance to benefit retired clergy, widows

The Council of Orthodox Christian Churches of Metropolitan Detroit [COCC] will sponsor its annual “Spring Fling” dinner-dance to benefit retired Orthodox priests and priests’ widows on Sunday, May 20, 2012 at the banquet center of the Antiochian Orthodox Basilica of Saint Mary, 18100 Merriman Rd., Livonia, MI.

The event will begin with a social hour at 5:00 p.m., followed by a buffet dinner at 6:00. There will be live music by the Offbeats and entertainment for children.

Tickets including dinner and refreshments are $40.00 per person, with children ages 12 and under admitted free. To order tickets or obtain further information, contact Mihaela Charlier at 313-595-7640 or mihaelacharlier@sbcglobal.net, or Richard Shebib at 734-422-0278 or paschabooks@sbcglobal.net.

The COCC is also soliciting business and private sponsorships, as well as advertisements for a souvenir program book, that will be distributed at the event. Sponsorship levels range from $250.00 to $1,000.00 and above, while rates for the program book range from $20.00 to $200.00. For further information on sponsorships and advertising, contact Shebib at 734-422-0278 or paschabooks@sbcglobal.net. Deadline for sponsorships and ads is May 5.

The COCC is a 55-year-old clergy and lay association that represents canonical Orthodox churches in metro Detroit. Its mission is to promote Orthodox Christianity throughout the area through worship, fellowship, and charitable, educational and outreach programs. For further information, visit www.coccdetroit.com.

With profound joy and gratitude to God, His Beatitude, Metropolitan Jonah, Primate of the Orthodox Church in America, announces a milestone in the history of Orthodox Christian monastic spirituality in North America.

On Saturday and Sunday, August 25-26, 2012, this national celebration of Orthodox monasticism will be marked by a threefold commemoration – the 35th anniversary of the founding of Holy Myrrhbearers Monastery in Otego, NY; the 40th anniversary of the monastic profession of its Abbess, Mother Raphaela; and the 50th Anniversary of one of its nuns, Mother Michaela, to the monastic tonsure.

Orthodox hierarchs, clergy and faithful of all jurisdictions in our country are invited to share in this milestone event of monasticism in North America.

On Saturday, August 25, members of the Holy Synod of Bishops of the Orthodox Church in America will celebrate the Divine Liturgy at Dormition of the Virgin Mary Church, 53 Baxter St., Binghamton, NY, at 9:30 a.m. A banquet will follow at Saint Michael’s Center (American Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Diocese), 296 Clinton Street, Binghamton.

At 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, dinner will be served at Holy Myrrhbearers Monastery, 144 Bert Washburn Road, Otego, NY, followed by the celebration of the Vigil at 6:00 p.m. His Grace, Bishop Michael of New York and the Diocese of New York and New Jersey together with His Grace, Bishop Melchisedek of Pittsburgh and the Diocese of Western Pennsylvania will preside.

On Sunday, Bishop Michael and Bishop Melchisedek will celebrate the Divine Liturgy at the monastery at 10:00 a.m.

Background of the monastery. From modest beginnings in 1977, when they celebrated their first Divine Liturgy as a monastic community on the Sunday of the Holy Myrrhbearers, this sisterhood has endeavored, with God’s help, to “feel our way into a traditional form of monastic prayer and life within our American setting.”  They began their communal life on the premises of the Chancery of the Orthodox Church in America, eventually moving to rented quarters near Saint Vladimir’s Seminary, Crestwood, NY, as they solidified their efforts to generate income and purchase property.  During this time the sisters began a mail-order business with their own greeting card designs, prayer books and other products.  With the more recent additions of liturgical texts to their catalogue, the publishing concern has become an important means of support for the monastery – and a blessing for all the faithful who are enriched by these publications.

In 1982 the sisters’ search for a permanent home bore fruit.  In a Pennysaver ad, they discovered a 144-acre plot in rural central New York state with a farmhouse, two barns, a mobile home, and a pond.  By “a series of miracles,” they were able to make a down payment that year – and be mortgage-free by the end of the following year!  Not long afterward, in 1986, work began on the Monastery chapel – with immense amounts of time, materials, labor, and love contributed by many clergy and laypersons from nearby parishes in Herkimer, Watervliet, Binghamton, Wappingers Falls, and elsewhere.  These joy-filled “work parties” culminated in the consecration of the chapel by Metropolitan Theodosius, Archbishop Job of blessed memory, and many of the clergy who had guided this budding monastic family through its first decade of life.  A memorial prayer garden was soon added through the generosity of friends from Geneva, NY; and the nuns acquired an adjoining piece of property and old mill-house, which they renovated to serve as guest quarters.  A set of six magnificent bells, specially cast in Russia for Holy Myrrhbearers Monastery, was installed in the mid-1990s.

A crowning achievement came in 1998 with the completion of the new monastery, which provides the nuns the silence and privacy needed for the hidden life of a monastic, while also providing reception rooms where guests and other pilgrims can find hospitality and opportunities for quiet reflection.  Finding themselves with more room and more sisters joining the community, the nuns continued to develop the farm as an integral part of their life and livelihood.  They sell yarn spun from the fine wool of their sheep, prayer ropes and other items made from this yarn, and eggs from their chickens and ducks, and nourish guests with the goats’ milk and cheese.

The community publishes a newsletter, Essays and Notes, with essays on the Christian life written by the sisters and other authors, and conducts numerous retreats.  They host two pilgrimages each year, one on their patronal feast of the Holy Myrrhbearers (the second Sunday after Holy Pascha) and another on the second weekend in October.  Remembering the early years when they shared space with the Primate and the staff of the OCA Chancery in Syosset, NY, the sisters have extended this same hospitality by sharing their chapel with the budding Mission of Saint Innocent, a small but growing flock of faithful Orthodox Christians who come together as a parish in the monastery church for their divine services.  Lone pilgrims and small groups are welcomed throughout the year; many visitors find peace and spiritual healing not only in walking the grounds and praying the divine services, but by actively helping with the farming chores – until the majestic peals of the six custom-cast bells call all to the chapel for prayer.

As the nuns of Holy Myrrhbearers ring in this celebration of 35 years of engaging in the ascetical struggle together, they honor two other very special anniversaries at the same time.  This year marks both the 40th year of Abbess Raphaela’s taking of monastic vows, and the 50th year of monastic tonsure for Mother Michaela, the monastery’s senior nun.

Mother Raphaela was raised in the Episcopalian tradition.  During college she experienced an unexpected and life-changing encounter with monasticism, making the acquaintance of a nun who shattered her preconceptions of the cloistered life by simply being “one of the most normal, together persons I’d ever met.”  After her years in an Episcopalian convent, she discovered and joined herself to the Orthodox Church.  Upon the formation of the Myrrhbearers community in 1977, Metropolitan Theodosius sent her to France to stay with the nuns at the Monastery of the Veil of Our Lady in Bussey-en-Othe, so that she might be more fully oriented to the Orthodox monastic vocation.  This experience served her well, and she became Abbess of the Myrrhbearers community in 1987.  She has a particular love for liturgical music and has expanded and enhanced the sung worship of the monastery’s daily cycle of services by setting appropriate texts in the Byzantine, Russian, Carpatho-Russian, and Romanian musical traditions.

Three books of Mother Raphaela’s collected essays, Living in Christ, Growing in Christ and Becoming Icons of Christ, have been published by Saint Vladimir’s Seminary Press.  As an experienced disciple in the ascetical life, Mother Raphaela inspires all who seek to understand the role of Orthodox monasticism on this continent, and in this age, with these wise words: “Ultimately, monasticism in this country needs to be American monasticism…  there is a tendency to import a foreign monasticism because of the idea that, somehow, God is not able to work in America.  Somehow, the work of the Holy Spirit comes here and crashes to a halt…. If the Lord was able to work in the first century, when they were all converts, He can certainly work with us.”

Also being honored in this triple celebration is Mother Michaela, who this year marks half a century as a monastic.  Mother Michaela was born in Palestine, TX, and was baptized and confirmed in the Episcopalian tradition.  She graduated from high school in Boling, TX, after which she received her degree from North Texas University in 1958 and taught art and music in the Dallas public schools for a year.

In 1959 she entered the Episcopalian Community of the Holy Spirit, a teaching community located in New York City.  There she taught art, music and drama to elementary students and, in 1962, made her life profession.  In 1965, she received a Library of Science degree; and she served as principal of the grammar school begun by her community in Melrose, NY from 1969-1972, during which time she met Mother Raphaela, who was then also a member of an Episcopalian community.  In the early 1980s, Mother Michaela visited Holy Myrrhbearers Monastery, shortly after they moved to Otego, NY, and she maintained a relationship with the sisters for many years while serving as sister-in-charge of the Episcopalian convent in Melrose.

In 2005 Mother Michaela was received into the Orthodox Church; she moved to Holy Myrrhbearers Monastery that same year.  Since that time, she has “worn many hats” and won the love of her sisters.  She acts as sister-in-charge when the abbess must be absent; and in addition to her other duties, she has created a large and productive garden supplying the monastery table with fruits and vegetables.  Truly, her wisdom, experience, and talents are a source of encouragement for the sisters and their visitors alike.

As reported on the web site of the Orthodox Church in America on April 3, 2012, His Beatitude, Metropolitan Jonah, and Priest John Parker, chairman of the OCA Department of Evangelization, visited Mexico during the first week of April to ascertain ways the department might further assist His Grace, Bishop Alejo in expanding ongoing evangelization efforts throughout the country.

Upon their return on April 6, Father John shared his impressions and offered insights into evangelization and missionary efforts in “the greatest missionary land in the OCA” in a monograph titled “The Fields are Ripe for the Harvest.”  In it, he reflects on the endless opportunities that are presenting themselves to proclaim the Gospel across Mexico.

“The Fields are Ripe” is now available in PDF format, while an expanded photo gallery of their visit may be viewed here. 

The Diocese of Mexico, which formally celebrated its 40th Anniversary in January 2012, maintains communities and missions in a number of towns and villages – some of them in very remote areas – in addition to the cathedral in the nation’s capital.  The Department of Evangelization hopes to work more closely with His Grace, Bishop Alejo of Mexico City, and the Diocese, and will discern ways to accomplish this based on information gathered during the visit.

The brotherhood of Saint Tikhon of Zadonsk Monastery here recently released the schedule of services for the 108th annual Memorial Day weekend Pilgrimage May 25 - 28, 2012.

• Friday, May 25, 2012

3:30 pm
Official Opening of the 108th Pilgrimage
Greeting of the Myrrh-Streaming Iveron Icon the Theotokos at the Monastery Archway with Molieben in the Church
4:00 pm
Vespers and Matins in the Monastery Church
All pilgrims are invited to dinner in the monastery dining hall following the services.

• Saturday, May 26, 2012

9:00 am
Hierarchical Divine Liturgy
A meal for all pilgrims follows in the Monastery dining hall.
1:00 pm
70th Annual Academic Commencement of Saint Tikhon’s Theological Seminary
4:30 pm
Resurrection Vigil in the Monastery Church
All pilgrims are invited to dinner in the monastery dining hall following the services.

• Sunday, May 27, 2012

9:00 am
Hierarchical Divine Liturgy
A meal for all pilgrims follows in the Monastery dining hall.
4:00 pm
Vespers and Matins in the Monastery Church

• Monday, May 28, 2012

7:30 am
Divine Liturgy – Monastery Church
10:00 am
Hierarchical Divine Liturgy
1:30 pm
Akathist to Saint Alexis Toth in the Monastery Church
2:30 pm
Molieben to the Most Holy Theotokos and Anointing of the Sick, Infirm and all Pilgrims at the Monastery Bell Tower
4:00 pm
Vespers and Matins in the Monastery Church

Additional information will be forthcoming on the OCA web site and on the monastery web site.

The Popular Patristics Series [PPS] published by Saint Vladimir’s Seminary Press recently gained the attention of Logos Research Systems, Inc., the world’s largest developer of Bible software — a surprising but highly welcomed overture for the seminary’s academic press.

PPS provides accurate and annotated translations of the Church Fathers and other early Christian writings, and Logos typically partners with publishers to produce electronic Bible study resources.  In its venture with SVS Press, Logos has decided to link biblical and patristic writings for the benefit of pastors, students, and lay readers.  In April 2012, the software company introduced a PPS pre-publication package that will allow readers to search the digitized texts of early Christian writings, as well as allow them to cross-reference between biblical passages and the sayings of the Fathers.

On its web site, Logos describes this exciting venture: “With the Logos Bible Software edition, you can reap the maximum benefit from the Popular Patristics Series (10 volumes) by getting easier access to the contents of the collection — helping you use these volumes more effectively for scholarly pursuits, sermon preparation, or personal study.  Every word from every book is indexed and catalogued to help you search the entire series for a particular verse or topic.  For example, you can search the letters written by Saint Cyprian for every instance of the word ‘baptism.’”

Priest Benedict Churchill, director of SVS Press, noted, “This is an exciting undertaking by Logos, but we need the help of our PPS readers — especially our alumni — to bring it to fruition.  I’m asking SVS Press fans to ‘nudge’ Logos into the publication phase by pre-ordering a package, thus indicating their interest in this venture.

“If Logos receives indication of high interest in the project, they will proceed to full publication status, which will be a boon not only to our press, but also to the thousands of readers who regularly use our PPS titles,” he concluded.

The pre-publication package, which may be ordered at www.logos.com/product/18384/popular-patristics-series-part-1, includes 10 PPS titles: On Social Justice by Saint Basil the Great; On the Human Condition by Saint Basil the Great; On the Church: Select Treatises by Saint Cyprian of Carthage; On the Church: Select Letters by Saint Cyprian of Carthage; On the Apostolic Tradition by Hippolytus; On the Christian Sacraments by Saint Cyril of Jerusalem; On the Soul and the Resurrection by Saint Gregory of Nyssa; On Wealth and Poverty by Saint John Chrysostom; On the Lord’s Prayer by Tertullian, Cyprian, and Origen; and On Pascha: with the Fragments of Melito and Material Related to the Quartodecimans by Melito of Sardis.  The pre-publication package is selling for $89.95, a savings of 44% off the normal list price.

For the first time since the early 1970s, the Orthodox Church in America has released new sacramental and recognition certificates.

The certificates may be downloaded in PDF format from the “Documents” section of the OCA web site and in the following direct links:

• Baptism Certificate - Adult
• Baptism Certificate - Child
• Chrismation Certificate
• Marriage Certificate
• Reception Certificate
• Recognition Certificate

The beautiful, full-color certificates for Baptism, Chrismation, Reception into the Faith, and Marriage feature a completely new design.  The recognition certificate — a first — is appropriate for honoring faithful for outstanding efforts in ministry, teaching Church School, etc.

A limited number of printed copies will be available in the near future for those without internet access or color laser or ink jet printers.  Orders for printed copies may be sent to info@oca.org.  Include in the subject line “Certificate Order.”