Diocesan Life Sunday of Orthodoxy Joint Celebration On the “Sunday of Orthodoxy” (March 20th), His Eminence, Archbishop Michael hosted His Eminence, Metropolitan Joseph of the Antiochian
After the morning Liturgy, Metropolitan Joseph and Father Thomas Zain (Vicar-General of the Antiochian Archdiocese) gave a presentation on the situation of Syrian refugees and the continuing war in Syria.
Summer 2016
Those in attendance included Mayor John Krenzel of South River, NJ, and numerous clergy members from local Coptic, Roman Catholic, Reformed, Episcopal, and Methodist churches. Also present was a group of students from Calvin College in Michigan, visiting the Jersey Shore for a Spring Break service project.
Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America for the Divine Liturgy at SS. Peter & Paul Orthodox Church in South River NJ. The two hierarchs concelebrated with seven priests, among them Father Joseph Lickwar (Chancellor, Diocese of New York & New Jersey) and Father David Garretson (Rector, SS. Peter & Paul Church). They were joined by Archdeacon Michael Suvak. Metropolitan Joseph preached the homily. The responses were sung by the parish choir under the direction of Basil Kozak.
That evening, Metropolitan Joseph presided at the Vespers for the “Sunday of Orthodoxy” joined by Archbishop Michael and more than forty priests and deacons at Brooklyn’s Saint Nicholas Cathedral. The homily was delivered by Archbishop Michael. Numerous faithful representing various jurisdictions from throughout the greater New York City area attended the Sunday evening service. A Byzantine choir led by Protopsaltis Rassem El Massih, together with the “Spirit of Orthodoxy” Pan-Orthodox Choir co-directed by Professor Aleksei Shipovalnikov and Protopsaltis Stratos Mandalakis, shared in the responses to the Vespers service. A delicious Lenten meal was served after Vespers by the faithful of Saint Nicholas Cathedral. The evening culminated in joyous fellowship of hierarchs, clergy and faithful. v
Thirst for God (From the “Daily Reflections” of Sr. Vassa Larin) “Let whoever who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.“ (Rev. 22:17) This is a passage about desire and thirst at the end of the Book of Revelation; at the very end of the New Testament. We have many, varying desires and wants and needs every day. At times there is unfulfilled desire and unfulfilled ambition. Sometimes I can’t even identify what it is that I desire. It’s just a hole in my heart. Let me identify that it is God, the Comforter, the Holy Spirit, Who is lacking in my heart. Let me take small steps, in brief, daily prayer, to ask Him to come and abide in me, so that I may not
thirst like this, constantly. Let me hear Jesus say to me, as He says to the Samaritan woman, “whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.” (Jn 4:14) Because I can take this water “freely,” as did she. Not because I am “worthy,” or for any other reason. But because I desire it, and ask for it, as did she. v (Subscribe to get Sr. Vassa’s Reflections daily via email and learn more about her podcasts at: www.coffeewithsistervassa.com)
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