St. Ellien's Church in Brownsville, Pa - December 24, 2005

On Saturday morning, December 24, 2005, his Grace Bishop THOMAS celebrated the pre-feast of the Nativity at St. Ellien's Church in Brownsville, Pa.. Concelebrating with him were clergy of the Deanery of Western Pennsylvania including Fr. John Abdalah, Dean of Western Pennsylvania, Fr. Jason DelVitto of Bridgeville, Fr. Joel Gillam of New Kensington, Fr. Fred Pfeil of Monessen, Fr. Sam Smolsic of West Brownsville OCA and Dn. Glenn McIntyre of New Kensington. That evening Bishop THOMAS presided over Vespers, Artoclysia, Orthros and Liturgy for the Feast at the Cathedral of St. George in Oakland PA.

Bishop THOMAS blessed the Church of St. Athanasius, in Claymont, DE December 8, 2005

On Thursday, Dec.8th, his grace Bishop THOMAS blessed the Church of St. Athanasius, in Claymont, DE. with a visit. On the same evening, our parish was graced by the presence of the miraculous myrrh weeping icon of St. Anna, mother of the Theotokos. The icon was brought to us by Father Igumen Athanasy Mastalski of Our Lady Joy of All Who Sorrow Orthodox Church in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Those in attendance were anointed with the holy myrrh from the Icon.   The evening began with a service, celebrated by our pastor Fr. James Dougherty, in honor of the feast of St. Anna's conception of the Holy Theotokos. Afterwards, Rev. Athanasy spoke on the significance of the weeping icon and his devotion to St. Anna. Bishop THOMAS spoke on the topic of what is normal in Orthodox life.   Later, lenten refreshments were served in our hall. Fr. Michael Nasser, director of Antiochian Village, gave a presentation on upcoming events and activities in the Village Camping Program. The evening ended with the Sunday school children presenting a Nativity play.   Photos from the event...

St. John Chrysostom Patronal Feast

Consecration of Holy Spirit Orthodox Church of Huntington, West Virginia

In the spring of 1999, the parishioners of Holy Spirit Orthodox Church of Huntington, West Virginia, faced a momentous decision. After worshipping in the same church (a former Church of Christ building) for over 30 years, they faced the choice of undertaking a complete renovation to the church or the formidable task of beginning from scratch in a new location. Having fewer than 100 members, either choice seemed to border on the impossible. But what is impossible with men is possible with God. In an almost unanimous vote, the members voted to put the building up for sale. What made the choice even more difficult was that a new location had not yet been found. Nevertheless, in the summer of 2000, with the church sold, Bishop DEMETRI traveled to Huntington and removed the holy relics from the altar. The icons, altar, and other church items were carefully packed away, and the parish began a three year period of exile, worshipping in a chapel generously provided by Fifth Avenue Baptist Church.   Three years later on the Sunday before Christmas, 2003, the doors of the new Holy Spirit Orthodox Church were opened and the parish again had a home. However, it was not until the weekend of October 8-9, 2005, that the most blessed event in the life of parish, the church consecration, took place.   Bishop THOMAS arrived from the Archdiocese Board of Trustees meeting in Potomac, MD, in time to be present at Great Vespers. Also serving that evening was our pastor, Fr. John Dixon; our former pastor Archimandrite Daniel Keller, currently pastor of Our Lady of Walsingham Orthodox Church in Mesquite, TX; Fr. Thomas Gallaway of St. Andrew Orthodox Church, Lexington, KY; Fr. Mark Elliott of St. George Greek Orthodox Church, Huntington; and Fr. David Shaw of St. John Greek Orthodox Church, Charleston, WV.    Following the Vespers, we enjoyed a “family” style dinner and hafli at the Palms Room. Many former parishioners and family members from as far away as Texas, Colorado, Michigan, and Florida enjoyed renewing old friendships.   At 9:00 on Sunday morning, an overflowing congregation again assembled at the church for the start of Matins. We were especially blessed to have our sister parish of St. George Greek Orthodox Church join us, along with Hieromonk Seraphim and several of the fathers of the Holy Cross Hermitage, of Wayne, WV. Many were moved to tears as Sayedna THOMAS, assisted by the clergy and Subdeacons Julian Saad, Joseph Peck, Anthony Miralles, re-consecrated the altar and anointed the walls of the church as a holy place set aside for the worship of the Holy Trinity. Subdeacon Selden McNeer and the choir and chanters did an outstanding job in providing inspiring and prayerful responses.   In his usual manner, Sayedna challenged us not to rest on our accomplishments, but to increase our efforts to spread the knowledge of Orthodox Christianity to the 300,000 people in the Huntington metro area. At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, Abraham Saad was inducted into the Order to St. Ignatius. As a blessing and keepsake of the event, each person was given a card with a portion of the bishop’s savanon, which he wore during the consecration.      Following the Consecration, a banquet was held at the Guyan Country Club. At the banquet we were also joined by Fr. Fred Shaheen, assistant pastor of St. George Orthodox Church of Charleston. Fr. Thomas Gallaway served as master of ceremonies, and with his usual wit, recalled the many joyous times in his years as a Holy Spirit parishioner. Also offering remarks were Greg Mencotti, Parish Council Chairman and Melanie Mansour, Consecration Chairperson. Bishop THOMAS again congratulated the parish, but he also called for the quick planning and construction for the next phase of construction, which will include space for Christian Education and a larger social hall.   Sayedna’s enthusiasm caused $21,000 in pledges to be raised within a few minutes to begin planning and architectural designs for the new addition. For more pictures, go to http://www.holyspiritwv.org/consecration.htm   More photos...

St. Michael Church, Greensburg, PA -- 50th Anniversary

"GO HOME AND CALL YOUR FRIENDS, TELL THEM THE CHURCH IS OPEN!"

"I’m stubborn and I don’t give up easily. I will nag you until you get that billboard up on Route 30. But I’ll do it with a smile." Bishop THOMAS spoke these words during an informal meeting with the Parish Council of St. Michael’s Church in Greensburg, Pennsylvania, at which a member suggested billboard usage to help make the church more visible.

Words such as those quoted above were generously sprinkled throughout the messages of Bishop THOMAS during his visit to St. Michael’s on November 5 and 6. The occasion for the visit was the 50th Anniversary Celebration of the founding of the Westmoreland County church and the informal theme for the weekend was quickly recognized in the bishop’s already well-known drum beat -- be holy, make yourselves known, open your doors, be a family, and invite someone to church -- every week!

From his initial meeting with the Parish Council and parishioners of St. Michael’s on Saturday morning, following two days of addressing the participants in the Department of Christian Education Seminar at Antiochian Village, to his departure on Sunday, following a post-Sunday-Liturgy Grand Brunch at a local hotel, Bishop THOMAS was a non-stop evangelistic and motivational whirl-wind. "I love to work!" he said.

"I want all of you to go home and call the newspaper and radio stations and ask them if they know that St. Michael’s is celebrating its 50th anniversary." This he said on Saturday morning. His desire was fulfilled by the afternoon as a newspaper reporter called and said he wanted to do an interview because of the "barrage of calls" he had been receiving about the event.

That job being complete, there was a brief moment of rest at a Saturday night dance at which Sayidna THOMAS continued to meet and encourage the church’s membership during this his first "formal" episcopal visit to St. Michael’s. The respite ended the next morning as he presided over the Divine Liturgy, beginning with the ordination of Joel Gazal (axios!) to the sub-deaconate, blessing new icons, and inducting new members into the Order of Saint Ignatius. The day concluded with the aforementioned brunch at which Sayidna again focused our attention on our need to be thankful for everything we have, past and present, and to be bold about sharing it with all of Greensburg and Westmoreland County, now and in the future.

Whew! In a short thirty hours, Bishop THOMAS had succeeded in infusing all who heard him speak with a renewed sense of the important and urgent work we have to do in bringing people to Christ here at St. Michael’s Antiochian Orthodox Christian Church of Greensburg, PA.

No doubt he’ll be back in touch with us soon, to urge and encourage us -- even nag us toward that goal, if necessary. And he’ll do it with a smile!

2005 Fall Delagates Meeting - Allentown, PA

A Festive Fall Delegate’s Meeting

St. George of

Saturday, October 29^th was filled with meetings for all the organizations; a humanitarian project called a “Fair to Remember” which was held at Whitehall Manor, a senior residential living facility – there were games galore, popcorn, hot dogs, soda, cotton candy and whole lot of fun!; Vespers was held and following, we hosted a dinner with a hafli.  The evening ended with Great Compline.

On Sunday, October 30^th, we were all blessed to worship with His Grace, Bishop Thomas, at the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy and were witnesses to Sub-Deacon Andrew Dain’s elevation to the Diaconate.  Afterwards, there was luncheon for everyone downstairs and all the delegates said their goodbyes to one another.  Through Christ, we worshipped as one, worked as one, and grew as one.  We look forward to coming together again to do the work of Christ for His all-honorable church. 

10th Anniversary of Saint Mary Church, Chambersburg, PA

ST. MARY CHURCH OF CHAMBERSBURG CELEBRATES
TENTH ANNIVERSARY WEEKEND

The congregation of St. Mary Church (Chambersburg, PA) welcomed His Grace Bishop THOMAS to preside over the celebration of their Tenth Anniversary Weekend, held October 22 and 23, 2005.  During the celebration, the parishioners and their pastor, Fr. Theodore Pulcini, recalled their first Liturgy (celebrated October 15, 1995), the two years when they met in a parishioner’s basement, the following two years when they assembled in a rented building, and the past six years in which they have gathered in their new temple, consecrated in October 1999 by His Grace Bishop ANTOUN.  While looking back, they also looked to the future by celebrating four ordinations to the subdiaconate and an ordination to the Holy Priesthood.

Sayyidna THOMAS met with members of the parish council and of the Order of St. Ignatius over lunch on Saturday, October 22, commending them for all that the parish has accomplished in its short history and reminding them of their role in our newly-formed Diocese and in the Archdiocese at large.  He responded to questions from those gathered, covering a number of topics, most notably our concern for His Eminence Metropolitan PHILIP.

At 5 p.m., Bishop THOMAS was greeted at the door of the church, which he entered to preside at Great Vespers with Artoclasia.  Over 120 people were in attendance, singing the responses congregationally.  Four priests concelebrated (besides Fr. Ted, Fr. Costas Keares of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Camp Hill, Fr. Gregory Long of St. Anthony Church in Butler, and Fr. Nicholas Wyborski of St. Nectarios Mission in Lakeland, FL), along with two deacons (our own Deacon Elias Yelovich and Deacon John Shumski of St. John Chrysostom Church in York).  After the service, His Grace blessed the church’s cornerstone.  Afterwards, the chairs were removed from the church’s nave to make room for the crowd anticipated at the next day’s Liturgy.  We then went to Fayetteville Fire Hall for an informal “Homecoming Celebration.”  In addition to our own parishioners, we welcomed visitors from a number of other communities outside the area, most notably former parishioners of Fr. Ted from New Castle, PA, and Cleveland, OH.

The next day, Orthros began at 9 a.m., attended by a good number of worshipers who were able to assist the chanters in singing responses, the text and music for which were included in the commemorative service book compiled for the weekend.  At the conclusion of the Great Doxology, four of our parish’s sons were “set apart” as subdeacons: Joseph Merlina, Euthymios (Tim) Panagos, Evangelos (Evans) Prieston, and Nathan Rush. 

By the time the Divine Liturgy began, the congregation had swelled to some 175 people, who enthusiastically sang the responses under the leadership of our chanters.  Concelebrating were Fr. Ted Pulcini, Fr. John Mason (a retired priest of the OCA who has served as a supply priest for our congregation since its inception), Fr. Gregory Long, and Fr. Nicholas Wyborski.  In the course of the Liturgy, Fr. Ted and Fr. John presented Deacon Elias Yelovich to Sayyidna THOMAS for ordination to the Holy Priesthood.  To the resounding shouts of  “AXIOS!,” “MUSTAHIQ!,” and “HE IS WORTHY!,” Father Elias was vested by Sayyidna THOMAS and presented to the faithful as the newest priest of the Diocese, which he will serve as a supply priest while attached at St. Mary’s of Chambersburg.  At the conclusion of the Liturgy, three new members were inducted into the Order of St. Ignatius (Fr. Ted, Fr. Elias, and parishioner Charles Finui), joining the seven other parishioners who already belong to the Order.

After the Liturgy, approximately 120 people gathered for the community banquet at the nearby Orchards Restaurant.  Fr. Ted welcomed visiting clergy, including the priests mentioned above as concelebrants at the Liturgy, as well as Fr. Peter Pier, Fr. Dennis Buck, Fr. Thomas Kline, and Fr. Deacon John Shumski.  After Fr. Ted’s remarks and the remarks of Parish Council President Charles Shuster, the newly ordained Fr. Elias addressed those gathered for the celebration, expressing his feelings of gratitude and joy as he began his priestly service.  The highlight of the banquet was the address of Sayyidna THOMAS, who, with insight and humor, placed the crowning touch on the weekend’s festivities.

Consecration of St. Paul Orthodox Church in Emmaus, PA

The Consecration of St. Paul’s Church,

With great happiness and joy in his heart, His Grace Bishop THOMAS of Pittsburgh led St. Paul’s Orthodox Church in

            At 8 a.m. Sunday morning, much anticipation filled

            After songs of praise, Bishop THOMAS initiated the Order of Consecration of Saint Paul’s as His Grace and the fully vested clergy stood before the altar. The church was filled to capacity. The holy relics of St. Paul,

            Next, two attending clergy helped Bishop THOMAS don his Savano (an apron-like vestment). Sayedna THOMAS reverently washed the Holy Table with warm water and rose water. Following the washing, the Holy Table was anointed with Holy Chrism and vested in a newly anointed white linen cloth and then a gold linen covering. Also, the Holy Gospel, Tabernacle, Crucifix, and Candlesticks were anointed by His Grace and then placed upon the Holy Table. The final Order was accomplished when Bishop THOMAS anointed the walls of

            At the conclusion of the consecration service, Bishop THOMAS ordained three members of the parish, Joseph Kochan, his son Matthew Kochan, and Edward Stellato, as subdeacons. Then the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy began. In his sermon during the Divine Liturgy, Sayedna THOMAS carefully explained, “During the consecration of St. Paul’s, we placed names of the members of this church along side the names of the saints inside the Holy Table that we sealed because people of the church are called to be saints.” At the conclusion of the Hierarchical Divine liturgy, Bishop THOMAS inducted two members of the parish, Edward Stellato and Gladys Wiles, into the Order of St. Ignatius of

            An informal banquet was held at the Holiday Inn in

2005 Orthodox Institute

ORTHODOX INSTITUTE FOR CHRISTIAN EDUCATION

Sayidna THOMAS was welcomed to the Institute by Archdiocesan Director of Christian Education Carole Buleza, and by the Eastern Dioceses Christian Education coordinator Father George Alberts. 

This year’s theme was the Divine Liturgy. Bishop THOMAS spoke on two consecutive evenings on the topic of life and liturgy. His Grace also discussed the importance of prayer and encouraged everyone to study the lives of saints in order to find inspiration for their own lives. 

The Institute always takes place the first weekend in November, which coincides with St. Raphael of

Over sixty participants from the Antiochian, OCA, and Greek Archdioceses came together for education, worship, and fellowship. The Institute caters to varying needs by offering three separate tracks: Church School Director, Teacher Training, and Orthodoxy. 

A total of nineteen courses were offered. Participants who took three course requirements in Teacher Training or Divine Liturgy received a certificate.