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A selection of photographs from His Grace Bishop BASIL's visit to the Rocky Mountain Deanery in late September and early October, 2008:

September 27, 2008 - 1st Rocky Mountain Deanery All-Parish Picnic and Vespers in Denver, CO.

Metropolitan PHILIP and Bishop THOMAS led the Cathedral community of St. George in Pittsburgh to celebrate their centennial, the 30^th ordination anniversary and elevation of their dean to the rank of Archimandrite, the tenth ordination anniversary of their Deacon Ned, and the celebration of their dedicated church singers who have already served the Church between 50 and 75 years. This community is thankful to God for all that He has done in this community this last century.

The weekend began with Metropolitan PHILIP’s five hour journey from Englewood. Travel these days is rarely without delays and difficulties. Nevertheless, the Metropolitan arrived and offered the Cathedral leadership inspiration and encouragement. The Cathedral leadership shared their dreams and hopes for a parish center to house the Church school and develop opportunities for learning and spiritual growth. Sayidna spoke of his life’s journey and God’s successes in our Archdiocese through prayer, faithfulness and fortitude. Sayidna recognized the faithfulness of our community and our rich history as a leading community in the Archdiocese. He remembered many of our faithful clergy and laity and highlighted their contributions. The community shared some of the exciting programs and activities that we have initiated.

Bishop BASIL writes:

AXIOS! Father John Salem of St. George Church in Houston, Texas will be elevated to the rank and dignity of Archpriest this coming Sunday, November 2nd, during festivities marking the 80th anniversary of the founding of St. George Church.

His Beatitude Patriarch IGNATIUS IV arrived in Newark, New Jersey on the evening of October 28th, 2008. He was greeted at the airport by His Eminence Metropolitan PHILIP, Bishop ANTOUN, Bishop THOMAS and area clergy. His Beatitude will stay at the Archdiocese Headquarters until Thursday October 30th when he will depart for Boston, MA, where he will preside over a celebration banquet for the University of Balamand (click here for more information).

Bishop BASIL writes:

BY YOUR PRAYERS, the Diocesan Pilgrimage held this past weekend in Kearney, NE was a truly blessed event.  Twenty priests, five deacons and over 150 laity from twenty-three of DOWAMA's fifty congregations joined our hosts Fr. Christopher Morris and the Christ-loving faithful of St. George/Kearney, NE for a weekend filled with divine services, homilies, historical talks and presentations (not one business meeting!).  Numbered among the pilgrims were many of Father Nicola's grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.

The Pilgrimage (held in lieu of our Fall Gathering) began on Friday afternoon with the Akathist to St. Raphael at St. George Church.  The rousing congregational singing was led by Subdeacon John Wolf, Protopsaltis of St. George/Kearney.

October 24, 2008

Tskvarichamia, Georgia -- The leaves have already changed in Tskvarichamia, a mountain hamlet about 15 miles above Tbilisi. For the 16 families taking shelter in a modest building, this is not a herald of the harvest, but rather, an ominous reminder that winter is coming and they are not prepared.

At dusk, two mothers, their children and an elderly couple sit on the front porch and explain to an aid worker that the rest of the families have gone to the authorities to protest their living conditions and to demand that they be moved to Tbilisi. “We feel cut off up here,” says Nanna, carrying her small son on her lap. “It is cold and we cannot properly care for our children.” She and her husband were farmers in the village of Kemerti in South Ossetia, and like many who were displaced by this summer’s fighting between Russian and Georgian forces, they fled with little more than the clothes on their backs.

The group that had gone to Tbilisi return, and seeing the visitor immediately launch into a litany of complaints. They have no kitchen utensils. Blankets were delivered but the mattresses are no good. Above all, the building was formerly used as a summer camp for children and there is not enough insulation from the cold.  “We may be blocked up here from other areas in the winter and our children have to go to school, ” says one woman. 

by Fr. Theodore A. Ziton

from The Word, November 1963

In one of his books, Tolstoy wrote this beautiful story: A devout Russian peasant had prayed for years that the Divine Master might visit his humble home some day. One night the peasant dreamed that the Master would come to him on the following day. So real seemed the dream that when the peasant awoke in the morning he arose immediately and went to work putting his cabin in good order for the expected heavenly Guest.

A violent storm of sleet and snow raged during the day, but the man performed his usual household tasks, and while preparing his pot of cabbage soup, he would look out into the storm with expectant eyes. Presently, he saw a poor peddler, with a pack on his back, struggling forward against the fierce icy flakes that almost overwhelmed him. The kindhearted peasant rushed out and brought the wayfarer into his cabin. He dried his clothing, shared his cabbage soup with him, and started him on his way warm and comforted.

Looking out again he saw another traveler, an old woman struggling through the snow. Her also he took into his cabin, warmed and fed her, wrapped his coat around her, and strengthened and encouraged, sent her rejoicing on her way.

Darkness began to fall, but still no sign of the Master. Hoping against hope the man once more went to his cabin door, and looking out into the night he saw a child, who was utterly unable to make his way against the blinding sleet and snow. Going out he took the half-frozen child in his arms, brought him into the cabin, warmed and fed him, and soon the little wayfarer fell asleep before the fire.

Ordination of Stephen DeYoung to the Holy Diaconate.

Wednesday, October 22nd is the deadline to register for the Diocesan Pilgrimage! If you have not yet registered, contact FATHER CHRISTOPHER MORRIS of St. George/Kearney, NE today by email (fr.christophermorris@yahoo.com) or by telephone (308-234-9252 or 308-234-6969). 

The Pilgrimage Schedule is as follows:

Friday, October 24th

• 4:00 pm—Akathist to St. Raphael of Brooklyn at St. George Church
• 5:00 pm—Blessing of Father Nicola’s new gravestone at the Kearney Cemetery
• 6:00 pm—Dinner and keynote address by Bishop Basil at the Ramada Inn

Saturday, October 25th

• 8:45 am—Orthros at St. George Church
• 10:00 am—Hierarchical Divine Liturgy and Trisagion Prayers of Mercy
• Noon—Lunch and address by Father Paul Hodge at the Ramada Inn
• 3:00 pm—Great Vespers at St. George Church

(Conclusion of the Pilgrimage.  For those staying over:)

Sunday, October 26th

• 8:45 am—Orthros at St George Church
• 10:00 am—Divine Liturgy presided over by Bishop Basil

Clergy are reminded to bring with them GOLD vestments for concelebrating divine services.

An important note from our Diocesan Youth Director, Camille Baba: 

Registration for our 2nd Annual DOWAMA SOYO Basketball Tournament & Retreat (November 14th-16th) is happening right now!  Visit http://www.dowamasoyo.org/ for all the forms, but what is MOST important is each individual's registration form and medical release form attached to this email be completed and mailed.  Please have each of your teens complete this form and send it directly to: St. Elijah Orthodox Church - Attn: Erin Learned - 15000 N. May Avenue - Oklahoma City, OK 73134. If for any reason your teens cannot do this before the November 1st deadline, please call Erin (405-755-7804) and tell her exactly how many teens will be attending from your parish. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at my office at the Cathedral (316-636-4676).

Download Parental Authorization and Medical Consent Form (PDF Format)

October 17, 2008

Baltimore, Maryland — International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) lent a hand recently to the American Red Cross in its effort to bring relief and recovery to communities in Houston and Galveston that were devastated by Hurricane Ike. IOCC delivered $140,000 worth of medical and hygiene supplies to the American Red Cross Auchan shelter in Houston. The supplies include such items as baby wipes, gloves, hygiene and toiletry kits, antibacterial soap and medical items.

The supplies, which were donated by IOCC partner Globus Relief, will be divided among Auchan and three other shelters in the Houston area benefitting more than 2,000 individuals.

Since early September, IOCC has also been sending a team of Orthodox clergy known as the Frontline to American Red Cross shelters in Houston and Galveston. The Frontline volunteers are trained in Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM), a form of trauma counseling and evaluation. Shelters are filled to capacity, according to American Red Cross officials who invited IOCC’s assistance.

Several Orthodox churches in the Houston area, as well as outside Texas, have provided IOCC with valuable logistical assistance, supplies and counsel throughout this effort.

Antiochian Village Senior Accountant

Company:    Antiochian Village, Ligonier, PA

Status:          Full Time Employee

Education Level:  College graduate

Responsible to the Antiochian Village Conference Center Executive Director and the Antiochian Village Camp Director

Job Description  

About the Village: The Antiochian Village Camp and Conference Center was founded in 1978 initially as a camp for young people. The Conference Center was added in 1985 as a full service Conference and Retreat Center that includes 100 hotel-style lodging rooms, a full array of meeting rooms, a chapel, a Library specializing in Orthodox Theology and Middle Eastern Studies, a full-service Dining Hall and so much more. In 2004, the Heritage Museum was added to the Antiochian Village as well.

by Fr. James C. Meena

from The Word, October 1980

Over twenty strong male voices filled Ss. Peter and Paul chapel with a heavenly sound as the clergy of the Diocese of New York and Washington DC, and the Diocese of Charleston, Oakland and the Mid Atlantic gathered with Bishop THOMAS in late September for their fourth annual clergy retreat at the Antiochian Village.

The retreat’s theme was the spiritual development of our youth, as well as ministering to our parishioners with special needs. The retreat was led by the Village’s own pastor - the Very Rev. Anthony Yazge. During our first session, Father Anthony reminded us of St. Clement of Alexandria’s words that the Church must implant within each child’s soul an ability to know God from the earliest age possible. This is the activity that must animate the children’s ministries within all our parishes. Fr. Anthony also discussed the differences in how children within various age groups understand the Church, God and prayer, and what these differences mean from a pastoral perspective. The session ended with the clergy discussing the challenges and the rewards they face in establishing an environment within their parishes that nurtures the spiritual growth of their children.

Join us in Ottawa for the first Orthodox Institute Ontario. The Institute, which is especially valuable for church school educators, is a pan-Orthodox event that encompasses training, and education on topics of Orthodox belief in an enjoyable atmosphere of fellowship and sharing.

The Orthodox Institute Ontario will be held at St. Elias Antiochian Orthodox Cathedral in Ottawa on November 14 and 15, 2008, with the theme, "Are you In . . . or At . . . the Divine Liturgy?” His Grace, Bishop Alexander, will be the keynote speaker for the event and presenters include Carole Buleza, Director of the Antiochian Archdiocese Department of Christian Education, and Myra Kovalak, Director of Teacher Training for the Orthodox Christian Education Commission.

Pre-registration is REQUIRED. Contact: Subdeacon George, (613) 738-2222, or, info@steliascathedral.com.

You can download the flyer here, and the registration form here.

Need an Orthodox Speaker for a retreat or other special event? The Orthodox Speakers Bureau allows you to easily choose and schedule a well-known Orthodox speaker/writer to speak on a wide variety of topics for your event.

From our brethren at St. Philip's Church:

A beautiful weekend was enjoyed by the St. Philip community when our Bishop THOMAS visited us October 3-5, 2008.

On Friday evening Bp. THOMAS and the teens got together for a bonfire and conversation, and Saturday morning the Parish Council hosted Sayidna for a delicious brunch.  The afternoon included visitation of the sick and shut-in.  Great Vespers on Saturday evening was followed by a carry-in supper.

The Sunday Matins and Hierarchical Divine Liturgy was inspiring, with a glorious choir and congregational singing, as well as a homily which encouraged us to give of ourselves and not hold back the goodness of the Gospel from a world in need.  Sayidna also received a new member into the Order of St. Ignatius of Antioch: 

By Adma Shakhashiri

From The Word, September 1967

The story of the beginning of the world, as we all know it from the Bible, reveals to us that God created everything — the heavens and the earth — in seven days. God, the Almighty, made the whole world beautiful and good, and made man “In His own image” to be the master of it all. God rested on the seventh day when He ended His work. God blessed and sanctified the seventh day — the Sabbath.

Since the creation of the world, God blessed man and wanted him to be obedient and serviceable to Him. But above all, God loves mankind — He loves us all, and He also asks us to love Him. God wanted man to be happy, loving amid friendly. But Adam, the first man that He created, and Eve his wife, who lived in the most beautiful garden called Eden, were tempted and disobeyed God.

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August 20-23, 2008

By Paul Abernathy

For many Orthodox seminarians, preparing for another year of seminary is a time of great joy and nervousness. We look forward to concentrating intensely on Christ, yet recognize the spiritual struggle this growth entails. For seminarians of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America, the time immediately preceding seminary is also a time we spend together in fellowship and learning.

With the blessing of our father, Metropolitan PHILIP, who has shown himself to care for his seminarians as his own sons, all Antiochian seminarians gathered together for a three day retreat at the Antiochian Village. The theme this year, missions, reminded us that Christ commanded us to go out and make disciples of “all nations.” We received words of wisdom and experience from His Grace Bishop THOMAS, our facilitators, Fr. John Abdalah and Fr. Fred Pfeil, and other session leaders, Fr. Ted Pulcini and Fr. Jason DelVitto.

Our retreat began Wednesday night with Vespers and a welcoming, reassuring message from His Grace Bishop THOMAS. That night, Fr. John and Fr. Fred facilitated an introduction period that provided each of us with the opportunity to see the remarkable men that God has called and the extraordinary circumstances that led each of them there. As each seminarian introduced himself, it was astounding to hear the incredible life experiences that led each one to Christ. Perhaps even more astonishing was the witness many gave of the cross they bore for Christ’s sake, only to receive the tremendous blessings that came along with it. That night, the work of the Holy Spirit in the Holy Orthodox Church here in this land could be clearly seen.

The 2nd Annual DOWAMA SOYO Basketball Tournament will be hosted November 14th - 16th at St Elijah Church, Oklahoma City, OK.  Registration fee is $50.00 per team.  For further information go to www.dowamasoyo.org or contact the DOWAMA Youth Director Camille Baba of St George Cathedral/Wichita, KS at camillesbaba [at] yahoo [dot] com or the DOWAMA SOYO Spiritual Advisor Fr. Antony Bahou of Ss Constantine & Helen/Dallas, TX at antonyel [at] hotmail [dot] com.

By Fr. James C. Meena

From The Word, June 1985

Why are you in church? What have you come to church to do? What is it that you expect to receive by coming to this church at this time? Coming to church becomes such a habit, almost a social custom, something many people observe because it’s “the thing to do.” As a consequence of this, more and more people who consider themselves to be followers of Christ are really “Sunday Christians” and not much more than that.

It’s very rare to read an article in a newspaper in the middle of the week that has to do with religious events and you will almost never find spiritual programming on mid­week radio or television unless it happens to be a special season. It seems that the mentality of our society will categorize worship as being a once-a-week-thing. Muslims do it on Friday, Jews on Saturday and the Christian world on Sunday. Everybody who worships donates one or two hours a week to God and the rest of the week belongs to them. This attitude toward worship is much the same as we have towards savings accounts, putting aside for a rainy day. If we take out 1 or 2 hours a week for worship and maybe a few seconds before we go to sleep for prayers, that’s sort of building a “savings account” that we can draw on later when God requires of us an accounting for our lives. Tragically, however, most of us are going to be overdrawn when that accounting comes.