Diocese of Worcester and New England
Welcome to the Diocese of Worcester and New England, part of the Self-Ruled Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese in America. The Diocese of Worcester is led by His Eminence Metropolitan PHILIP and includes 12 churches and missions in Massachusetts and Rhode Island.
Click here to visit the Diocese of Worcester's external web site.
Click here for a map of the Diocese of Worcester.
Click here for a directory of all the parishes in the Diocese of Worcester.
St. George of Boston Youth Director Job Opening
St. George Church of Boston announces the immediate opening for a Parish Youth Director. The Youth Director at St. George Parish is a full-time, salaried staff person responsible for the overall development and implementation of a comprehensive program designed to meet the needs of our children and young adults. The program will address the spiritual, educational, emotional and social needs of young people being nurtured in the Orthodox Christian Faith. Our goal is to offer a sound religious oriented foundation for our children that promotes the Christian values of worship, fellowship, service and witness.
For more information, contact Fr. Timothy Ferguson at 617-323-0323, or go to:
http://www.stgeorgeofboston.org/news/special/announcements/youthdir.html
Metropolitan PHILIP Visits St. George Church in Norwood, MA
His Eminence Metropolitan PHILIP made a visit to the parish of Saint George in Norwood, Massachusetts September 18-20, 2009. The visit was the first by the Metropolitan in many years and the entire parish had anxiously awaited his return. The main purpose of his visit was to celebrate the 90th anniversary of the Ladies Society and to serve a one-year memorial for the pastor emeritus, Very Rev. Father Nifon Abraham.
Shortly after his arrival in Norwood, His Eminence met with members of the Church School and Teen SOYO for a lively Q & A session. The Metropolitan thought he had stumped the young folks when he asked “do you know where Saint Ignatius was martyred?” However, one of the teens came up with right answer (which is of course, Rome.) The Metropolitan then enjoyed a relaxing evening with the parish council; they chatted about the upcoming New York Jets – New England Patriot football game, but also serious matters, such as church growth and mission work.
On Saturday the Metropolitan and several invited guests were treated to a luncheon prepared by Khouriyee Afefee Abraham. His Eminence presented to her a photo taken of himself and the late Father Nifon Abraham. The festivities on Saturday evening began with Great Vespers and concluded with a celebration banquet for the Ladies of Saint George. The Ladies in Norwood began their work 90 years ago, two years before the parish was actually formed. At the banquet the Ladies president gave Saidna a check for $1,000 to Al-Kafaat in honor of his 50th anniversary in the priesthood.
Charity Run to Benefit Theophany School in Needham, MA
Charity Road Race to Continue Local Woman’s Dream
August 25, 2009 West Roxbury, MA—In the mid-1990s, 18-year old Sonia Belcher (then, Sonia Daly) was intent on creating a school where Orthodox Christian children in the Boston area would benefit from a strong academic and spiritual education founded in the teachings of the Orthodox Christian Church. In 1997, with the support of the local Orthodox Christian community, Sonia founded what is believed to be the first pan-Orthodox School in the country: the Theophany School in Needham, MA. That fall, 17 children were enrolled for the 1997-1998 school year. Today, Theophany School is thriving, with some 35 students enrolled in the School’s Pre-School and Kindergarten classes. With three full-time teachers and one director on staff, students are provided with the individualized care and attention that is vital to a young child’s learning. Theophany School continues to grow, thanks to the generous support of the community.
Sadly, in February, 2008 Sonia Belcher passed away suddenly on her 32nd birthday. She was survived by her husband, Deacon Nicholas Belcher and their three-month old son, Andrew. In addition to her beloved family, Sonia left behind a legacy of tenacity and determination. Her final wish was for Theophany School to function as a full elementary school. Shortly after her untimely death, the School launched its “Building on a Dream” campaign, an initiative to continue Sonia’s mission, while keeping her memory alive. Thanks to the campaign, the School has received overwhelming support over the last year.
Diocese of Worcester Antiochian Women Featured in DIAKONIA
The Summer 2009 issue of DIAKONIA, the quarterly newsletter of the Antiochian Women of North America, features the Antiochian Women of the Diocese of Wichita and Mid-America (DOWAMA). Click here to read the Summer 2009 issue!
Paschal Greetings from Metropolitan PHILIP
“He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities, the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, every one to His own way; and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.” (Isaiah 53:5-6)
“O Christ Saviour, we were but yesterday buried with Thee, and we shall rise with Thee in Thy Resurrection. We were but yesterday crucified with Thee: glorify us with Thee in Thy kingdom.”
(Verse from the Third Ode of the Paschal Canon)
Beloved Hierarchs, Clergy, Trustees, Parish Council Members, and All Faithful of our God-Protected Archdiocese:
Christ is Risen!