On Sunday, December 8/21, Andrew Wales of the parish of St. Seraphim of Sarov in Glen Allen (Richmond), Virginia, was ordained to the Holy Diaconate by Metropolitan Demetrius. His Eminence concelebrated with Fr. Nicodemos Gayle, the parish rector, and Archdeacon Agathangelus.
After the ordination, a festive but fasting meal was served, and the Metropolitan spoke on several issues of concern to Orthodox Christians, such as the appearance of the Cross in 1925, the reunion of Orthodox Christians in March 2014, and pastoral matters.
Father Deacon Andrew is married to Diakonissa Anna, and they have an infant daughter. It should be noted that Father Deacon Andrew, originally from the Southwestern United States, relocated specifically to a city where there is a parish of our Church. While not everyone can do this, it is a remarkable testimony to his dedication to the Church, and a witness to others who have the ability. We wish Fr. Dcn. Andrew, his family, and his parish many years, and exclaim, "AXIOS!" ("He is worthy!").
Why do we follow the Old Orthodox Calendar?
a Because based on it, the First Ecumenical Council established the Paschal Canon and appointed that the feast of Holy Pascha may fall anywhere from March 22nd until April 25th, while with the New (Papal) Calendar it can fall as late at May 8th.
b The Gregorian (Papal) Calendar has been condemned by three Pan-Orthodox Councils under Patriarch Jeremiah Tranos (1583, 1587, 1589) Read more...
Saints Peter and Paul Orthodox Church is a beautiful mission parish near downtown Tucson, a city in southern Arizona. It was started in 1997 by Father John Bockman, who was a missionary Priest formerly serving missions in Tennessee and Massachusetts since 1990. Father John served the faithful in Tucson and the surrounding area in his home Chapel until his repose in November of 2000. His wife, Presbytera Valerie, continued to make her home Chapel available for the mission, with clergy from Saint Nectarios Orthodox Church in Seattle and His Eminence, Metropolitan Moses of Toronto (then of Portland), visiting to provide the Divine Services.
Read more...2025 Youth Conference
Please join us for the 2025 youth conference in Toronto, Ontario, Canada! To learn more, visit the conference website.
Q. Can you tell me what the two-headed snake cane the Greek Bishop is walking with represents? What does it mean?
-V.T.
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