Diocese of Eagle River and the Northwest
Welcome to the Diocese of Eagle River and the Northwest, part of the Self-Ruled Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese in America. The Diocese of Eagle River is administered by His Eminence Archbishop Joseph as locum tenens, and includes more than 20 parishes and missions in Alaska, Alberta, British Columbia, Idaho, Oregon, Saskatchewan, and Washington.
Click here for a directory of all the parishes in the Diocese of Eagle River.
For information pertaining to Archbishop Joseph and administration of the Diocese, please visit the Diocese of Los Angeles web page.
Arsonist Fire at St. John Cathedral Mercifully Contained
Damaged altar at St. John Orthodox CathedralFr. Marc Dunaway of St. John Orthodox Cathedral, writes:
"A fire was set in our Cathedral at about 12:40 a.m. Thursday, August 23. It appears it was deliberately set by someone who poured gasoline around the altar and lit it on fire. By the mercy of God the Cathedral was not totally destroyed. A parishioner was passing by the Cathedral just as the flame was lit. He saw the fire through the windows, called 911, and then ran into the Church. Several Cathedral members used fire extinguishers and put out the fire in the altar. Kh. Betsy and Fr. Marc ran to the Cathedral a couple minutes later. Dense smoke filled the darkened Nave as the police and firemen arrived. Everyone was evacuated from the building as the firemen entered to assess the situation. They did not ever have to use their hoses. The fire damage is mostly limited to the area immediately around the altar, but soot and fire extinguisher powder are everywhere on the main floor. We can be thankful to God that people saw the fire when they did. Another few minutes and the building would have been totally engulfed."
Blessed Anniversary to Archbishop Joseph!
The clergy and the faithful of the Antiochian Archdiocese extend their prayers and love to our His Eminence Archbishop Joseph on the occasion of the Anniversary of his consecration to the sacred episcopate (June 30, 1991). May God grant him many years as the Father and Chief Shepherd of the Diocese of Los Angeles and the West!
2012 Paschal Greetings from Archbishop Joseph
“And looking up, they saw that the stone was rolled back; it was very large. And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe; and they were amazed. And he said to them, ‘Do not be amazed; you seek Jesus of Nazareth, Who was crucified. He is risen, He is not here; see the place where they laid Him. But go, tell His Disciples and Peter that He is going before you to Galilee; there you will see Him, as He told you’” (Mark 16:4-7)
Christ is risen!
لمسيح ارتفع! حقا انه زاد!
Хрңстос Воскресе! Воистину Воскресе!
Χριστὸς ἀνέστη! Άληθώς Άνέστη!
Beloved in Christ:
Words of joy are brought to us by this Great and Holy Feast of the Resurrection of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. As we take the time to ponder the depth of the meaning of this wondrous feast, the salvation brought to us through His death and resurrection, let us come together to truly celebrate this day the Lord has made to redeem us. May we experience a deeper renewal of our own faith and may those who need the hope of salvation be brought to say, “Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death.”
Glory to Thy Holy Resurrection, O Lord!
Yours in the Risen Lord,
+Archbishop JOSEPH
Save the Date: Canadian Orthodox Men's Retreat, April 20-22
The Sanctum Retreat Centre of Caroline, Alberta, will host the ninth annual Orthodox Men's Retreat of St. John the Baptist, on April 20-22, 2012.
Guest speaker, Conciliar Press author and priest Fr. Lawrence Farley, will speak on the Divine Liturgy. Indicating the pan-Orthodox character of the event, the announcement reads, "With the Blessings and support of our Bishops, and the support of our parishes and parish clergy, Very Reverend Father Taras Krochak, and Reverend Father Timothy Charpko – St. Vladimir’s Ukrainian Orthodox Congregation, Reverend Father Ibrahim Chahoud - Antiochian Orthodox Church of the Annunciation, Reverend Father Obrad Filipovic – Serbian Orthodox Church of St. Simeon, Reverend Father Demetrios Rougas – St Demetrios Greek Orthodox Congregation, Reverend Father Phillip Erikson – St. Peter the Aleut OCA Congregation, and Very Reverend Father Michael Lupu - St. Mary’s Romanian Orthodox Congregation, the Orthodox retreat committee invite you to the ninth annual Orthodox Men’s Retreat of St. John the Baptist – 2012."
In addition to the liturgical worship and retreat lecture sessions, the retreat committee notes, there will be ample time for quite time meditation and prayer. The retreat property is set in serene surroundings, and hot tubs are available so retreat attendees are encouraged pack swimming trunks.
New Induction at Holy Nativity Mission + Langley, BC
His Grace Bishop Joseph recently inducted new member Jared Neufeldt into the Order of St. Ignatius at Holy Nativity Mission in Langley, British Columbia, Canada.
Jared Neufeldt receiving his Cross from His Grace Bishop Joseph
Jared Neufeldt being sworn in by Bishop Joseph with his sponsor Kim Franklin
(L-R): Fr. Michael Gillis, Bishop Joseph, Kim Franklin, Jared Neufeldt (with his daughter Lucia in front)