ARCHBISHOP NAMES COADJUTOR His Eminence Metropolitan Stephen, Protohierarch of the Syro-Russian Orthodox Catholic Church, Archbishop of the Archdiocese of the Americas and Dependencies, and Primate of the Synod of Bishops, has announced the election and appointment of Mitred Archimandrite Timothy John Kjera as Coadjutor of the Metropolia on September 1st , 2005. The Synod of Bishops and Consultors of the Metropolia expressed their consent making this final. Fr Archimandrite Timothy has served as Moderator of the Commission on Religious Counseling and Healing since 1996. He has been pastor of St Mary Church in Duluth Minnesota since 2002. He also serves the Metropolia as Vicar General and the Archdiocese as Chancellor. The Archbishop Primate has decided that his consecration as Bishop Coadjutor will take place in July 2006 so that it coincides with the Synod of Bishops Consistory and the Commission Conference making it possible for all to be in attendance. There has only been one time in the history of the jurisdiction when there were two active archbishops, 1988-89 when Archbishop Primate Joseph and Archbishop Stephen were both present within the Church before the death of Archbishop Joseph in 1989. Although Archimandrite Timothy will be a Bishop Coadjutor with succession to the See of the Metropolia, he will not receive the title of Archbishop until later on, but will be the second ranking Bishop of the Church at that time. The consecration will take place at St Mary the Theotokos Pro-Cathedral, 5907 Grand Avenue, Duluth Minnesota at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday July 30th, 2006. His Eminence Metropolitan Archbishop Stephen will be assisted in this by Bishop John of India. Also taking part will be Chorbishop Joseph of Belgium.
ST CYPRIAN AND THE ORTHODOX
CATHOLIC CHURCH: By Mitred Archimandrite Fr Timothy Kjera I would like to begin this article by quoting the words used by His Eminence Archbishop Stephen in his previous articles on the Church. This is taken from 2 Timothy 4:1-5: I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His Kingdom: Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, and exhort, with all long-suffering and teaching. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. In obedience to these words, I greet you! St Cyprian of Carthage was a great father of the Christian Church and defender of the faith of Christ God. He is revered by many in both the Roman and Protestant Churches, as well as all Orthodox Churches. When he spoke on salvation outside the true Church, he spoke as one belonging to the Orthodox Church of Jesus Christ and not as a Roman Catholic, that did not exists as such at that time, or a Protestant Christian which did not exist until over 1500 years later. Recently, I listened to a Roman Catholic priest on television who stated that St Cyprian was making reference to the Roman Catholic Church when he spoke on salvation outside the true Church. This cannot be true because the Roman Catholic Church, as it exists today, did not take full form until A.D. 1054. St Cyprian was speaking of the Catholic Church of Orthodox Faith as it existed in A.D. 252 and before. The great and resounding words of St Cyprian come from his Epistle: (51:24) written in A.D. 252. "In reference, however, to the character of Novatian, dearest brother, of whom you desired that information should be written you about what heresy he introduced; know that, in the first place, we ought not even to be inquisitive as to what he teaches outside the pale of unity. Whoever he may be, and whatever he may be, he who is not in the Church of Christ is not a Christian. Although he may boast himself, and announce his philosophy or eloquence with lofty words, yet he who has not maintained brotherly love or ecclesiastical unity has lost even what he previously had been." St Cyprian, like most of the great fathers of the Church were inspired by God the Holy Spirit in what they had to say, and their words were good and applicable to the Church both then and now. This is also true of the teachings of Christ God, although spoken over 2,000 years ago they are still applicable to the faithful even today. Christ does not change his thoughts from year to year, and if he should do this only he alone can tell us what changes he has made. New religions, new prophets, new religious denominations cannot do this – only Christ God. So this being truly believed we must agree that only one Church and one Faith was given to us by Christ God and not many. Only one can be right and that would be the faith that has not changed and that has been taught for over 2,000 years. That is why we state in the Creed that we believe in the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church . We do not profess belief in many but only one. What Church then dates back to this Creed that we profess? It is the Orthodox Catholic Church. The early Church, that founded by Jesus Christ, was made up of five patriarchates, i.e., Jerusalem, Antioch, Alexandria, Constantinople (now Istanbul) and Rome. Each patriarch was in union with one another and comprised the Catholic Church. However, over the years Rome started to deviate from what was considered holy belief and began adding man-made innovations and dogmas, e.g., the addition of the Filioque Clause to the Creed in A.D. 589, and in A.D. 1053 it replaced using bread for the Holy Eucharist with wafers. These, and several other issues, led to what we call the Great Schism of A.D. 1054 when Rome separated itself from the other four Patriarchates, the greatest tragedy of the Christian world. Mutual excommunications executed by Pope Leo IX and Patriarch Michael were issued between Rome and Constantinople at that time. The first issue that caused conflict within the Christian Church was that of Papal Authority or Supremacy. From the time of the apostles there was always equality among them. St Peter was considered first among equals just as Orthodox Bishops consider the Patriarchs today. St Peter was the first Bishop of Antioch, not Rome as Roman Catholics are led to believe. At that time he was not known as a Pope and certainly not the Pope of Rome. St Paul was the Bishop of Rome but St Peter later went to Rome and there he was martyred by being crucified upside down. Papal authority meant that the Pope (Patriarch) of Rome would extend his authority over the other Patriarchs and all Christians. He saw infallibility as his sole perogative, whereas the Eastern Church insisted that in matters of faith the ultimate decision belonged to an Ecumenical Council consisting of all the Bishops of the Universal (Catholic) Church. There has been no Ecumenical Council of canonical status since the Council of Nicea II in A.D. 787 attended by 367 bishops of the Church. Often we hear Rome refer to their Church as "Catholic" and in reality it is not the whole of Catholicism, only 1/5 which is today known as Roman Catholic since the Eastern Church is also Catholic. An interesting note that is important to know is that said by Father George Grube in his book, The Complete Book of Orthodoxy, which states: "In some Roman Catholic literature a pope's name is inserted in place of the emperor or empress who convened a council. This is a blatant historical falsehood and should never be accepted as fact." The true Church of our Lord must be built upon a truthful foundation and, if so, there will be no need to fabricate stories to make it look so. As stated by Archbishop Stephen in his previous articles on this subject, "The second issue that led to the Great Schism was that of the Filioque (Latin for and the Son). It was first inserted into the Creed at the Council of Toledo (Spain) in A.D. 589, and later adopted by the whole Western Church but rejected by the Eastern Church. The original wording of the Creed, that was approved by the whole Universal Church, stated, "and in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and the Giver of Life, Who proceeds from the Father and who together with the Father and the Son…" The Latin insertion changed this to read, "and in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and the Giver of Life, Who proceeds from the Father and the Son…" added by Rome. The Orthodox Catholic Church objects to this insertion on two grounds. They are: 1) The Fathers of the Ecumenical Councils strictly forbade any changes in the Creed; and 2) the insertion disturbed the balance between the Three Persons of the Holy Trinity, and this led to a false understanding of the mission and purpose of the Holy Spirit in the world. Therefore, the Creed recited by Roman Catholics is not what was approved by the early Church Fathers." Other issues that also played a role in the Great Schism were the creation of the dogma of the Immaculate Conception making the Holy Virgin Mary equal to Christ as being born without original sin, something that is theologically and humanly impossible. Although many Roman Catholics today still think that this dogma is in reference to the virginal birth of Jesus Christ. The invention of Purgatory and Indulgences as a means to raise money for the Roman See by praying souls out of it. Purgatory will never be found in the Bible. Indulgences are meaningless as God alone is the final Judge of all souls based on what they did in life. It is good to pray for those who have gone before us as done by Orthodox Catholics, but to believe that we can pray a soul out of a place called purgatory is without historical merit and fact. Some Orthodox Catholic jurisdictions today doubt the validity of Roman sacraments while others recognize them but with limitations. A Roman Catholic who converts to Orthodox Catholicism is chrismated (confirmed) again and in some jurisdictions even baptized. St Cyprian of Carthage was an African noble by birth. His early life was less than inspiring but he later converted to Christianity, was ordained a priest, and then later made the Bishop of Carthage. In A.D. 258 rather than denounce his faith he desired martyrdom and his wish came true. He was surrounded at the end by many of his faithful followers and those who loved and believed in him. He opposed the readmission of lapsed Christians who denied the faith in the face of persecution. Those who stand outside the Church should consider his words about "no salvation outside the True Church".
By His Eminence Archbishop Stephen Blessed be our God! Throughout the years I have heard many remark about the length of the Orthodox Liturgy and, from a few, about the "dryness" of it. In brief, the length of the Liturgy is not nearly as long as the time that Christ spent suffering and hanging on the cross for us. I fail to see where 1˝ - 2 hours is a long time to spend in prayer and worship to God per week. The Roman Liturgy once took as long until it was shortened by a group of Lutheran ministers to appease the churchgoer – but that does not make it right. God accepts only that which is right and just and pleasing and nothing less. In the 1970's while I was a young man and searching for faith, I left the Roman Church because I felt the changes made in the mid 1960's in the Mass were no longer filling my spiritual needs. In my journey that led me to visit the Lutheran Church, Episcopal Church, Anglican Church and others, I realized that the "Real Presence of Christ" in the Eucharist was missing in them all and that their liturgies also lacked something for me. Then I met a Serbian Orthodox priest who spent much time with me and explained the mysticism and importance of Liturgy. I was amazed and after seeing my first Divine Liturgy I not only believed it was divine, but it made me feel so close to God and the saints that I felt transformed during the time Liturgy was being served. I could feel the presence of God and His angels and saints. It was then I knew where I should be and later converted and was chrismated by Greek Orthodox Bishop Timotheos of Blessed Memory. Bland and dry are hardly the words that describe this mystical beauty that draws us closer to God and provides the right setting for prayer and communion with all that is holy. For those who see the Liturgy as such it is because they either do not understand it, or because they are preoccupied with thoughts of taking a ride or watching a football game or another activity that they feel is being missed out on. The greatest words used to describe the beauty of an Orthodox Christian Liturgy are taken from the envoys of Russian Prince Vladimir in A.D. 987. Now Vladimir, a heathen, had no idea what the Orthodox Liturgy and Faith would do to him at the time he began his search for faith. His envoys attended Divine Liturgy at the Great Cathedral of Hagia Sophia (Holy Wisdom) in Constantinople and were amazed at what they had seen. They returned to Prince Vladimir and stated: "We knew not whether we were in heaven or on earth. For on earth there is no such splendor or such beauty and we are at a loss to describe it. We only know that God dwells there among men and their service is fairer that the ceremonies of other nations. For we cannot forget that beauty." These were exactly my thoughts and the thoughts of many after attending an Orthodox Liturgy for the first time. During the time Liturgy is going on, the cares of the world, my needs as a human, problems that I face daily and even my physical hurts are forgotten and replaced with the peace and warmth that surrounds me during that time. Such an uplifting feeling that is only a taste of what heaven must be like. I would not want anything less. It was because of this report that Prince Vladimir accepted Orthodox Christianity as the religion of Russia and he, his sons and others in his family accepted the faith trough Holy Baptism. The Liturgy is very important to the spirituality of any Orthodox Christian. Through it we retrace the steps of Christ from his birth to his death and celebrate his resurrection every Sunday and Holy Day. Liturgy is worship to God in the Holy Trinity. It is not meant to be entertainment for us on earth, but rather where we feel the presence of God among us as a community. If you went to see a movie and found that it truly pleased you and was well worth the time spent, wouldn't you want to see it again at another time? I know I would and have. To me this is how I feel about the Liturgy, only in this case I desire to be part of it more and more because it is greater than a movie as it provides what is real, i.e., Heaven on earth and the Body and Blood of our Lord. It is a solemn act filled with mysticism and beauty that draws us from earthy cares and surroundings upward to heaven where we experience peace and holiness along with all the angels and saints with God. Anything less is not true worship and certainly is not spiritual nourishment for our tired souls. The worship of the early Christian Church was very similar to that of the Jewish Temple because Jesus did not come to change but perfect that which was before Him. The fact that the Church does not change its expression of worship to suit the whims of man offers and maintains security that is appreciated and wanted by most, i.e., the knowing that what one does today will be done tomorrow. To quote an old saying, "if it's not broke don't fix it." The Orthodox Liturgies have been around for many years and are the oldest of Christian worship still used today. The Liturgy was loved and appreciated by our holy saints and forefathers and through the centuries-escaped major changes because it was good and holy. How do we perfect that which comes from God and the holy saints of the early Church? We do not attempt to do so because that would only destroy its beauty and sanctity. Christ is the Alpha and Omega, He is the same at the beginning as He is now and always shall be. Amen! THE SOUL AND ABORTION By Archbishop Stephen The Church condemns unnecessary abortion at any level. The taking of any life is murder without a doubt. Once life begins a soul is present and known to God. Life and death are rights of the Lord – not man. This crime against a fetus or unborn child is so grave that both the Orthodox and Roman Churches consider physicians and assistants who perform these unwarranted abortions as murderers and excommunicated, as well as the person who allows this to happen. According to science, a new human being is formed when a sperm fertilizes an egg. "Fertilization is a process. The process may take 30 minutes or several hours. But it has a definite conclusion. The moment at which this process terminates in the resulting zygote can be called conception." According to the teaching of the Church, life is created by three persons: God and both the husband and wife. Once fertilization takes place there is life complete with a soul known to God. Human life begins once it is blessed with a soul from God. The soul is what separates human life from plant or other life. Because the soul is a part of God Almighty it belongs to Him. This fertilized egg now contains the full set of 46 chromosomes required to create the actual (not potential) existence of human life along with its soul. Science holds that the new human is created at the time of fertilization, or conception. Many pro-abortion advocates find it hard to accept that a single cell can be a human being – yet each of them began as just one cell. " Scientifically, the term 'Human being' signifies a complete, though not completed, living, organized, unique, individual human organism… The zygote fits all of these criteria. The informationally complete cell has an information content equivalent to 1000 volumes of the Encyclopedia Britannica, and unlike that of any other human being." How great is the power of God? It is so great and unfathomable to our human minds that he can create in one tiny cell what man has written in huge volumes of encyclopedia. No human can duplicate this achievement. How can one say, "there is no God." Arguments against the scientific (and religious) position that a human's life begins at fertilization tend to twist, skirt or simply ignore the biological facts. There is no doubt among reasonable thinking individuals that human cells are human life. At eight weeks old the heartbeat of a developing baby can be heard on an ultrasonic stethoscope. The heart itself already was beating for one month. An electrocardiogram can be performed on this developing baby. Its brain waives were measurable 2 weeks before. The developing baby feels and responds to pain and touch, and has already begun to suck its own thumb. It swims with a natural swimmer's stroke. How can anyone make a claim that it is not human life and not a child of God? There is no doubt that those who commit murder licensed or otherwise, share something in common – no conscience. In many cases they tend to mitigate their heinous crimes. Let's consider the developmental landmarks of this new life. On day one conception and after only a week it attaches to the wall of the womb. At two weeks it stops its mother's menstrual cramps and at three weeks the heart is beating. At six weeks brain waves are measurable and it moves and responds to touch. At eight weeks the heart can be heard as mentioned above. At 2˝ months the body is completely formed right down to the fingerprints. At 3 months all organ systems are functioning and after three months nothing new develops and there is only growth and size and maturity. The Church only understands abortion is certain and very extreme circumstances and with reservation. To do so outside of these circumstances is viewed by all Orthodox bishops as murder by those involved, directly and indirectly. However, the bishops show true compassion for those confronted with tragic circumstances where the lives of the mothers and their unborn children are threatened, and where painful decisions have to be made, such as those cases involving rape, incest and serious illness. For those who simply do not wish a child, they must strongly consider adoption as an alternative to the murderous act of abortion. Those who do secure an abortion must sincerely repent of such an act and ask of God's great mercy and forgiveness – something that only God can give if it be his will. The Didache states: "You shall not slay a child by abortions. " Tertullian states: "The life in the womb may not be destroyed." In addition there are many other passages from Scripture and the Saints and Fathers of the Church that speak out and against this act. Note: Scientific facts above in quotations taken from "When Does Life Begin?" by Human Development Resource Council, Inc., Norcross Georgia.
MEMBERS WITHOUT A PARISH The Syro-Russian Orthodox Catholic Church, like other small and smaller Orthodox jurisdictions, realizes that there are members who live far away from the nearest parish to them. In some cases, there exist parishes of another jurisdiction that are in communion with us or in which mutual recognition has been exchanged. In such cases our members may attend these churches until one of ours is opened in their locality. In other cases, there are those living in an area with no parish at all to attend, and for them they may belong to the Pro-Cathedral of St Mary and be on its rolls as a member. Such persons would be allowed to use the Typica Service within their homes on Sunday and Holy Days. They would also be allowed to make their 10% tithe to St Mary's as parishioners uniting them to a parish in good standing. For further information contact Father Timothy Kjera at rbsocc@juno.com. If you are interested in assisting the Archdiocese to establish a mission parish in your area, please write to the same email address.
METROPOLIA ADVISORY COMMITTEE His Eminence Archbishop Stephen blessed the establishment of a Lay Advisory Committee if the Metropolia. This is the highest administrative position for laypersons within the Church. Nominees were contacted on October 18th and 21st, 2005. The following have accepted their nomination to this honorable committee and approved: Mr Stephen Constantinides (New York); Dr Audrey Daniel (South Carolina); Dr Sandra Dobiash (Colorado); Sherry Ellison (South Carolina); Dr Teresa Jenkins (South Carolina); Dr Janet Maus (Maryland); Dr Nicholas Dore (Arkansas). Also appointed was Honorary Member Dr Peter Smyth (Ontario Canada). The first Consistory that they will attend is scheduled for July 2006. Congratulations to them all!
2006 COMMISSION CONFERENCE SCHEDULED Father Timothy Kjera has announced that the 2006 Commission Conference will take place from 11:00 a.m. Friday July 28th until 3:00 p.m. on Sunday July 30th, 2006 at St Mary Syro-Russian Orthodox Church, 5907 Grand Avenue in Duluth Minnesota. More information will be released early next year. This will also be the 20th Anniversary of the Commission since it was restructured in 1986.
2006 SYNODAL CONFERENCE AND BISHOPS' CONSISTORY The 2006 Synodal Conference and Bishops' Consistory will be held from Saturday July 22nd, 2006 until Monday July 31st, 2006 at St Mary Church, 5907 Grand Avenue, Duluth Minnesota. All Bishops and clergy of the Church are expected to be in attendance this coming year, along with the newly elected lay consultors of the Metropolia.
DONATIONS TO ST MARY PRO-CATHEDRAL CHURCH AND COMMISSION OFFICE "Giving to Glorify God" (Matthew 6: 1-4). The Syro-Russian Orthodox Catholic Metropolia would like to thank the following for their generosity and love shown to God and His Church. Those wishing their names withheld are shown as "Anonymous." Donation statements upon request. Great Benefactors
Benefactors
Patrons
MORTGAGE PAID OFF FOR ST MARY CHURCH IN DULUTH St Mary the Theotokos Church, 5907 Grande Avenue, Duluth Minnesota, has been through some very hard times since the beginning of 2004. The minister holding the deed for the building increased the balloon payment owed three times from $16,000.00 to $28,500.00. He again tried to add more money in September 2005 for money he said he put out for the building but could not prove. The Archbishop, in no uncertain terms, advised that if he continued raising the amount he would view it as extortion and take the matter to court. He then backed off. The minister gave until September 30th , 2005 to have the money in his hands or he would order the parish to vacate causing the Commission Office located there to close as well. Announcements went out to many for donations. One man, Mr Robert Austin, heard the call for help and quickly responded. He advised the Metropolia that he would take care of $25,000.00 and that money was in the bank account of the Archdiocese on September 27th, 2005. On September 28th, 2005, the amount of $28,500.00 was handed to the minister, Vernon Green, of Christ Temple Church, and the matter closed. The parish will be rededicated and blessed by the Archbishop on Sunday November 6th, 2005 at 10:30 am during the Divine Liturgy.
SYNODAL DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION NEWS
NEW POLICY REGARDING GRADUATION PROJECTS Candidates for graduation are now expected to submit the title of intended project and abstract to the College prior to commencing their work for approval. This became a new policy of the institution on August 1st , 2005. The abstract must be typed, brief and submitted by mail for approval. This should not be done until study essays have been completed or with not more than two essays left to submit.
NEW CATALOG ONLINE The Chancery has announced that the online catalogue for St Mark-Romano Byzantine College is now up and running. It can be viewed by going to http://rbc.rbsocc.org where one can also find an application for admission.
SEMINARIES AND COLLEGES OF THE METROPOLIA The Syro-Russian Orthodox Catholic Church is pleased to list its academic centers. Under the omophor of the Church are: Holy Apostles College in Tanzania; Holy Trinity College in India; Holy Trinity Seminary in Pakistan; St Basil Seminary in Cuba; St Mark-Romano Byzantine College in the United States (and extension in Canada); St Dionysios University in Greece; and St Vasilios (Basil) Seminary in Greece.
VICARIATE OF SPAIN CANONIZED His Eminence granted faculties to Father Christopher Moyano Roldan of Spain and returned him to the omophorion of the Church after a long separation. Spain has now been canonized as a vicariate of the Archdiocese with Fr Archpriest Christopher as its Vicar.
ARCHBISHOP ANDREAS PASSES ON TO THE LORD The Protohierarch of the True Orthodox Church of Greece, His Eminence Archbishop Andreas, passed away on October 4th, 2005. He was the oldest by ordination of all hierarchs of True Orthodoxy. He was primate of the Matthewite Synod since 1972. The funeral was held on October 6th, 2005 at the Chapel of St Modestos at his residence in Greece.
FROM THE DIOCESE OF THE ROMANIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH IN EXILE Bishop Stefan, Hierarch of the Diocese of the Romanian Orthodox Church in Exile, had advised that his diocese has grown somewhat since his last update sent to Archbishop Stephen. The Romanian Orthodox Church in Exile, which is in full communion with the Syro-Russian Orthodox Catholic Church, now has six priests serving it, two deacons, one monk and two novices. It just opened a new parish in Phoenix Arizona, Holy Trinity, which is being served by Father Daniel Ungureanu. The parish is renting a building from the Episcopal Church there. Bishop Stefan has also received under his omophorion two an Archbishop retired from the Autocephalous Greek Orthodox Church in America.
ST MARY MOTHER OF GOD CONVENT Mother Helena is the Mother Abbess of St Mary Mother of God Convent in The Congo. She has served the Church faithfully for many years and has trained over twenty new nuns serving the Church today. The convent has attracted many other young women who wish to continue such a service. The Sisters of the Community of St Basil in the Congo work among the homeless and the sick. They spend their days in prayer and in service. Mother Helena tells us that funds are needed there to care for the sick and destitute and to build a larger convent to hold the many new Sisters and Novices. We are asking all readers to consider a $10.00 (or more) donation to St Mary's Convent to help Mother Helena and the Sisters continue their work there for Christ and His Church. Please send your donation to: Chancery Office, 1318 Baxter Avenue, Superior Wisconsin 54880. Donations to be made out to "St Mary Church" but note on bottom of check should state "St Mary Convent Fund." NEW MISSION PLANNED FOR CARLSBAD CALIFORNIA The Metropolia has canonized a new parish to be established in the Carlsbad California area in 2006. The name that has been given to this mission parish is Saints Cosmas & Damian. Father Deacon Stephen Lawrence, who will be ordained priest in July 2006, has been named the administrator of the new parish. His Eminence announced the patronal name on December 31st, 2005. NEW MISSION PARISH CONSIDERED FOR ST CLOUD His Eminence Archbishop Stephen has announced that he will consider establishing a mission parish in the St Cloud Minnesota area sometime late in 2006. There is currently an interest in having a mission in Brainerd Minnesota by approximately 15 persons, and this would be about one hour from St Cloud. More information will be made known on this matter by May 2006.
ST STEPHEN THE PROTOMARTYR MISSION Father Seraphim Reed is currently searching for a suitable building in Hemet California that will house St Stephen the Protomartyr Mission Parish. He has reported to the Chancery that he has communicated with several other churches in Hemet asking about the possibility of using their facilities to start the mission. He is expected to have a site by March 2006.
BLESSINGS & ORDINATIONS
APPOINTMENTS & ASSIGNMENTS
OFFICIAL FROM METROPOLIA Issue 1 . (09.18.05/1): The Syro-Russian Orthodox Catholic Metropolia has decreed that clergy should wear the cuffs when possible during the celebration of Divine Liturgy. Issue 2. (09.18.05/2): The Metropolia has decreed that all clergy will chant the ending sentence of the Holy Gospel at all Holy Liturgies, and that on Holy Days and the patronal feast of the parish the entire Gospel will be chanted or sung. There are no exceptions. Issue 3. (09.19.05/1): Parishes must have a Consecrated Antimins or Corporal from the Metropolia to canonically serve (celebrate) Divine Liturgy on. Those who currently do not have such must request this from the Metropolia by January 1st, 2006. Issue 4. (09.19.05/2): All parishes must apply for Charters by no later than July 1st, 2006. Only chartered parishes of the Archdiocese and Metropolia are recognized as canonical and active within the Synod. Issue 5. (09.30.05/1): It is now right and just that all clergy and faithful observe the ancient tradition of the Church that during the time from Pascha until Pentecost there shall be no kneeling at Divine Liturgy but only bows or mikra. A Great Metanoia or three Little Metanoia (Mikra) may be made by clergy in the Holy Altar area after the Epiclesis, as may be the custom. It is encouraged that clergy do not kneel during the Epiclesis on Sundays. When served by a Bishop, all will follow his actions. Issue 6. (09.30.05/2): During Lenten periods of the Church, it is inappropriate to fast on Sundays but abstinence is followed. It is allowed on Sundays and Saturdays (except Holy Saturday) to also have wine and oil. Issue 7. (10.22.05/1): Father Christopher Moyano Roldan reinstated as priest under the omophorion of the Metropolia by His Eminence Archbishop Stephen on October 22, 2005. Issue 8. (10.23.05/1): The Metropolia Advisory Committee made up of laypersons within the Synod has been created and blessed by His Eminence. The first nominees to this Committee have been approved.
PAROCHIAL CHARTERS Established:
Dissolved:
DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS
PRAY FOR THE SICK AND SUFFERING
Note: If you, or someone you know, is sick or suffering, please let us know and you will be added to the OCH Prayer List. Send full name, address and age. Thank you.
REST IN PEACE!
CLASSIFIED ADS Framed Icon of St Panteleimon, Patron of Healers Available from St Mary's Orthodox Catholic Church, 5907 Grand Avenue, Duluth MN 55807. Suitable for hanging in counseling centers, clinics, and in the home. $40.00 (Postage/Handling Included). A Treatise on Chiropathy: The Holistic Healing Ministry will be available by May 1st, 2005. Those wishing to purchase a copy of this may do so by sending $25.00 to St Nicholas Center, 1318 Baxter Avenue, Superior WI 54880-1762. The Treatise will be $35.00 after that date. Commission on Religious Counseling and Healing CRCH.RBSOCC.ORG For information write to: Dr Peter Smyth, 109 Palmer Circle RR2, Bolton Ontario L7E 5R8 Canada; or Father Timothy Kjera, Post Office Box 16201, Duluth Minnesota 55816-1612. Professionals in service to God through the Healing Ministry of the Church. Monastic Community of St Basil and Companions of St Basil open to those who wish to follow a monastic way of life or who wish to be associated with it in the secular world. Write to: Chancery Office, 1318 Baxter Avenue, Superior WI 54880. The Community has monastic centers in the African Congo, Accrington England, Superior Wisconsin (USA), Imo State Nigeria, and Managua Nicaragua. The Sisters of the Community of St Basil are headquartered in the African Congo and are part of the Monastic Community of St Basil. The Companions of St Basil is open to married or single men and women wishing to share in the good works and prayers of the Community. Those interested in the Companions of St Basil should write to: Moderator Dr Audrey Daniel CSB, PO Box 14518, Greenville SC 29610. Advertise in the Herald You can advertise your parish, center, club or other organization in this section for $10.00 plus $.50 (fifty cents) per word. The Orthodox Christian Herald is sent to every diocese, which copies it on to local members. It is read by over 1,000 people and growing. St Luke the Physician Syro-Russian Orthodox Catholic Mission Parish, VR Father Paul Jensen (Pastor), 339 NE 8th Street, Paris Texas 75450. St Mary the Theotokos Syro-Russian Orthodox Catholic Pro-Cathedral, RR Fr Archimandrite Timothy Kjera (Pastor), Father Mark Kwame (Assistant), Seminarian Joseph Klimotho (In Residence); 5907 Grand Avenue, Duluth Minnesota 55807. Phone: 218-624-0202. Sunday Liturgy: 10:30 A.M. Ss Volodymyr and Olha Ukrainian Orthodox Church, Corner of Edgecombe Road and Field Avenue (using Lutheran Church). Father Vladimir Raasch, Pastor. Call for Liturgy schedule – 651-699-0230. (In communion with Syro-Russian Archdiocese). A Treatise on Chiropathy: The Holistic Healing Ministry will be available by May 1st, 2005. Those wishing to purchase a copy of this may do so by sending $25.00 to St Nicholas Center, 1318 Baxter Avenue, Superior WI 54880-1762. The Treatise will be $35.00 after that date.
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