OCH Archives November 2015

The National Council of Churches echoes and endorses the call of Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service for the US Government to open its borders to 100,000 Syrian refugees this coming fiscal year, in addition to increasing the total U.S. resettlement commitment to 100,000 refugees from other parts of the world. Along with our ecumenical colleagues in the World Council of Churches, the Conference of European Churches, and the Churches' Commission for Migrants in Europe, we also call upon the European Union to put in place policies which enable safe and legal pathways into Europe including issuing of humanitarian visas, lifting of visa requirements for persons fleeing from conflict zones, easier and more generous family reunification for persons in need of or granted international protection, and humanitarian admission. And along with all people and organizations of goodwill, we call upon the United Nations and its member states to commit its diplomatic and humanitarian agencies to bring about an end to this crisis.

From the very beginning, the Church has identified itself with refugees. Our ancestors in faith were themselves refugees when they fled the chariots of Pharaoh after escaping from slavery. Jesus himself was a refugee when his family fled to Egypt to escape the sword of Herod. Whenever early Christians were persecuted, they were made refugees. Since the first century, when people have fled violence and other calamities, and sought refuge in other places, often the welcome they received in these foreign societies was symbolized, and indeed motivated, by the open embrace of churches providing sanctuary and material assistance. Christians and Jews alike have heeded God's command, "You shall also love the stranger, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt (Deuteronomy 10:19, NRSV)."

PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL PRESIDING BISHOP'S STATEMENT ON REFUGEES
From the National Council on Churches
September 14, 2015

Syrian refugees and migrants disembark the Eleftherios Venizelos passenger ship at the port of Piraeus, near Athens, Greece, September 14, 2015. Of the record total of 432,761 refugees and migrants making the perilous journey across the Mediterranean to Europe so far this year, an estimated 309,000 people had arrived by sea in Greece, the International Organization for Migration (IMO) said on Friday. About half of those crossing the Mediterranean are Syrians fleeing civil war, according to the United Nations refugee agency. REUTERS/Michalis Karagiannis

Episcopal Church Office of Public Affairs Bishop Catherine Jefferts Schori has issued this statement on the current worldwide refugee crisis: The children of Abraham have ever been rminded to care for the widow and orphan and the sojourner in their midst, who were the refugees and homeless of the time. Jesus charged his followers to care for the least of these and proclaim the near presence of the Reign of God - in other words, feed the hungry, water the thirsty, house the homeless, heal the sick, and liberate the captives. We cannot ignore the massive human suffering in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, nor in Asia and the Americas. We are our brothers' and sisters' keepers, and our lives are bound up with theirs.

AT POPE FRANCIS' DIRECTION, VATICAN HAS RESTORED A FACULTY IT SUPPRESSED 85 YEARS AGO

Bishop Nicholas Samra,
Melkite Eparchy of Newton, Mass.

WASHINGTON — Eastern-Catholic bishops in the U.S. and Canada can once more ordain married men to the priesthood, now that the Vatican has removed decades-long prohibitions that had prevented them from following the traditional practice of their patriarchal Churches. The decree — signed by Cardinal Leonardo Sandri, the prefect of the Congregation for Oriental Churches — was dated June 14, 2014, in the . It was published online in November and announced that Pope Francis restored the faculty of Eastern-Catholic bishops "outside of the traditional Eastern territories" to admit married men to the priesthood "according to the traditions of their respective Churches."

According to the decree, Eastern-Catholic bishops all over the world may "ordain the Eastern-married candidates who come from their jurisdiction." It adds they have the "obligation to inform beforehand" the local Latin-rite bishop in writing "in order to have his opinion regarding any useful information." The decree adds that ordinaries overseeing Eastern-Catholic ordinariates that lack their own hierarchs can ordain married men to the priesthood, "providing they notify the bishops' conference of the specific cases in that area." The Congregation for Oriental Churches, however, reserves for itself the decision to ordain a married man in cases where Eastern-Catholic faithful are entrusted to the care of a Latin bishop or a bishops' conference. "It's a very good move for us," said Bishop Nicholas Samra, the Melkite eparch of Newton, Mass., in welcoming the decision. "We've been arguing and discussing this for quite a while." Bishop Samra was among the more vocal advocates in the U.S. calling for a restoration of the faculties of Eastern-Catholic bishops outside of their patriarchal territories to ordain married men.

The Vatican decision affects the 15 eparchies and two archeparchies of the various Eastern-Catholic Churches in the U.S. and appears to bring the Church's practice into line with the Second Vatican Council's teaching that "each individual Church or rite should retain its traditions whole and entire," adapting to the "different needs of time and place." The ability of Eastern-Catholic married clergy to serve in the U.S., Canada and Australia had been suppressed for more than 85 years, since a 1929 Vatican decree called . The 2014 decree signed by Cardinal Sandri related the history of the Eastern-Catholic married priesthood's suppression, saying it had been granted at the behest of the Latin bishops in North America, who, at that time, believed Eastern married clergy posed a "grave scandal" to their faithful. The Vatican acknowledged that, in North America, as a result of this treatment, "an estimated 200,000 Ruthenian [Eastern-Catholic] faithful became Orthodox."

Pope Francis' restoration of Eastern bishops' faculty to ordain married men outside of their patriarchates has sent positive signals to the Orthodox, where the vast majority of diocesan clergy are married men. "For the Catholics to show that there isn't anything wrong with the married clergy is a very good thing — that there isn't a 'second tier' or 'sub-priesthood,' so to speak, just because one is married," said Father Nathaniel Symeonides, ¥director of Inter-Orthodox, Ecumenical, Interfaith and Church-World Relations at the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. He said this would help the dialogue move forward and added that the way the Church resolved the issue internally was encouraging. "It does show an openness, absolutely, for changing a policy without the fear of changing doctrine or the teachings of the Church," he said.

Paulist Father Ronald Roberson, associate director for the Secretariat of Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs at the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, said resolving the issue was necessary to assure the Orthodox that the Catholic Church would respect their traditions in the event of a reconciliation between them. "It would be a problem if, in the final stages of a theological dialogue with the Orthodox — and we were talking about the arrangements that would be made — [we were] to say, 'Oh, by the way, you can't have married priests in North America,'" he said. Father Roberson said the decision is about respecting traditions and not changing celibacy as the norm for priests in the Latin rite. "It has been clear from the beginning that celibacy is a treasured tradition of the Latin rite, and that is the standard thing, and there can be exceptions," he said, pointing out that the majority of married priests in the U.S. are Latin rite, such as those serving in the Anglican ordinariates established by Benedict XVI.

" This simply recognizes that the Eastern-Catholic Churches that are in communion with us have a different tradition, and the tradition of married priests and celibate priests live side-by-side with respect for one another." Most Eastern-Catholic Churches have a tradition of both a married and celibate priesthood, except the Syro-Malabar and Syro-Malankara Churches, which have had priestly celibacy as their norm for quite some time. Traditionally, in the Eastern-Catholic Churches, celibate priests would live together as monastics, while married men would serve as diocesan clergy. Only celibate priests may be consecrated bishops. But in all the Churches of the Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church, once ordained, a priest cannot get married. A married priest must observe celibacy after the death of his wife.

[Sharon PA] His Beatitude Metropolitan Stephen, in his desire to reunite canonical independent clergy tracing their orders to His Beatitude Metropolitan Timotheos Vilathi or Metropolitan Jules Ferrette or other independent jurisdictions recognized by the Church, to consider entering dialogue with the Syriac-Greek Antiochene Holy Metropolis. Dialogue does not infer any "communion" with our Church, it merely means that there is interest in us by another jurisdiction. It is such dialogue that often leads to "communion" and union with the Primatial See.

According to Chorbishop Haralambos Winger, - the Primatial See has approved the establishment of ordinariates within the Primatial Archdiocese to accommodate those incardinating bodies wishing to maintain certain customs within our jurisdiction. An ordinariate is similar to a diocese or eparchy but one allowed to use a custom or customs not in coherence with the common body or the universal jurisdiction of the Church. According to Archbishop Timothy Kjera, " His Beatitude made it very clear that those coming to us for jurisdictional canonicity, or other sincere reasons, and who now profess beliefs that are alien to us or unacceptable to the universal Church, must recant any of their errors in faith and make the necessary changes in their beliefs that conform to those of Oriental Orthodox Catholic Christianity and this Primatial Archdiocese. The Church has long known that there are many "game players" who like to be "bishops" with many having more than ten other bishops with them and one or two priests serving all of the bishops. This is not what we are inviting to the table with us. We will not take any "bad clergy" or "charlatans" with us into the Holy See. It is our desire to work with such if they are sincere and regularize any deficiencies and make right any beliefs they have that are against Orthodox Catholic doctrines or beliefs. As the Coadjutor Archbishop of the Holy Metropolis, I stand firm with His Beatitude in these issues."

We know that there are others who claim to be "Orthodox Christian" or even descendants from the apostolic successions of honor, e.g. Metropolitan Timotheos Vilathi, Archbishop Jules Ferrante, and some others, but many are not because of broken lines of succession or multiple consecrations by many bishops of various groups, or because they simply did not have the documentation. The archives that exist within the Church have numerous entries about the schismatic, heretical, phony, and the ecclesial players, et cetera, that call themselves Orthodox Catholic, and often "Orthodox - Old Catholic." We know one notorious group in California who has been in and out of the canonical Church over different twenty-one times. Our Primate also implemented a new policy concerning such bishops or dioceses that wish to be in communion with the Primatial Archdiocese and journey with us back to the Syriac Patriarchate of Antioch from where we came.

Concerning bishops coming with a following of parishes, clergy and faithful, he is allowing an option of patrimony for those wishing union. Patrimony was approved by the Primatial See and is the blessing from our Primate to establish within our Primatial See and Archdiocese "Personal Ordinariates " for other ecclesial heritages that wish to enter full communion with the Syriac-Greek Antiochian Orthodox Catholic Church, while maintaining certain non-conflicting but important elements of their spiritual and liturgical backgrounds. Equivalent to a diocese, they become an "ordinariate" composed of parishes, monastic communities (approved by the Primate)), and individuals of another ecclesiastical heritage gathered around its Bishop Ordinary, but with fidelity to the Primatial See and Holy Metropolis. The Ordinary serves under the direct authority of the Primate, in partnership with the Primatial Archdiocese and as a member of the Syriac-Greek Antiochene Synod of Bishops, to build the Church through a mutual mission and ministry while retaining elements of their heritage. According to His Beatitude, the members of an Ordinariate include: " those faithful of every category or state of life, who, belong to another heritage or rite, in full communion with the Syriac-Greek Antiochian Orthodox Catholic Church and its Primatial See, and who have received the sacraments of initiation within the jurisdiction of the Ordinariate itself, or who are chrismated and received into the Ordinariate."

His Beatitude stated: "It is our mission, and one that would be pleasing to Christ, that we all be one, and at this time to initiate dialogue with other jurisdictions (and individuals) that might be interested in union with us and our reunification dialogue with the Syriac Patriarchate of Antioch. " In our investigation of the many schismatic groups that have sprung up since 1932 (and the few before), it is evident that there are some who are making an effort to maintain the true Orthodox Catholic Christian faith and its theology and Holy Traditions. However, there are others who are non-canonical or illicit, or who are heretical in their beliefs, and unless they resolve the impediments that keep them from union with us and true doctrine, the petition process would be fruitless. Those interested are asked to contact the Primatial Archdiocese at rbsocc@juno.com or by postal mail to St Nicholas Center, 456 Nimick Street, Sharon PA 16146. This revision became effective on September 17, 2014.

Ongoing Series - 2nd Installment: The Malankara Orthodox Church (Source of Apostolic Succession of the Syriac-Greek Antiochian Orthodox Catholic Church) in Union with the Syriac Patriarchate of Antioch

The Malankara (Indian) Orthodox Churches
Christianity in India has a far longer history than some might suspect, with origins stretching back more than a thousand years before the arrival of Catholic and Protestant missionaries. Indeed, when the Portuguese began to colonize the southwest coast of India in the early sixteenth century, they were surprised to find there a Christian community tracing its roots all the way to the apostle Thomas. The Orthodox Christian Church in India, the inheritor of this ancient tradition, is known as the "Malankara" Church, after an old name for the region where the Church is centered, roughly equivalent to the modern state of Kerala. Since the early twentieth century, the Church has been divided into two communities, both with historical ties to the Syriac tradition: the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church is a fully independent church, recognizing as its head the Catholicos of the East, whose office is in Kottayam, Kerala; the Malankara Syrian Orthodox Church remains under the jurisdiction of the Syriac Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch, although it is administered locally by a Catholicos, with an office in Puthenkurishu, near Kochi, Kerala.

St. Thomas is said to have reached India in 52 A.D. According to tradition, he established several churches in Malankara and also spent time in what is today the state of Tamil Nadu; a small mount near Chennai (the capital of Tamil Nadu) is venerated as the site of his martyrdom and is a center of pilgrimage for Christians of many denominations in India. The history of the early "Thomas Christians," as the converts of the apostle became known, is obscure, and some modern scholars have questioned the account of Thomas's journey. What is certain, however, is that sea trade routes did exist between the Near East and the Malankara coast, and that Syrian and Persian merchants had contact with South India in the early centuries of the Christian era. A group of around 400 Syrians from Edessa is said to have arrived in 345, led by a merchant known as Thomas of Cana and accompanied by Mor Joseph, a Syrian bishop (Kottapparambil). Another wave o

f Syrian immigrants arrived in Malankara in the ninth century. Beginning in the fifth century, the Syriac community in the Near East came to be divided between the Assyrian Church of the East, which accepted the doctrines of the theologian Nestorius, and the Syriac Orthodox Church of Antioch, which regarded Nestorianism as a heresy. Although the influence of Syriac Christianity in India is uncontested, it is difficult to know which tradition was more influential, and at what periods. Many scholars have asserted the jurisdiction of the Assyrian Church of the East in Malankara from an early period; others have argued for a continuous Orthodox tradition until 1490, when it is well documented that the church began receiving Nestorian bishops from Persia). The period of Assyrian bishops continued until 1599, when Roman Catholics took control of churches in the region.

The Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama had reached India in 1498, and the following century marked the beginning of European colonization and missionary work there. Indian and European Christians seem to have enjoyed cordial relations at first, but by the end of the sixteenth century the situation had completely deteriorated: while the Malankara Christians were content to acknowledge separate apostolic traditions, stemming respectively from St. Thomas and St. Peter, Catholic missionaries sought to bring the Indian Church under the administration of Rome. The culmination of their efforts was the Synod of Diamper (1599), which proclaimed the Malankara Church a part of the Roman Catholic Church. Although canonical irregularities meant that Rome never accepted the synod, its conveners nonetheless enrolled the support of the local government and began enforcing use of a Latinized rite.

On 3 January 1653, Malankara Christians finally rebelled: thousands gathered before the Coonan ("leaning") Cross in Mattancherry, taking an oath no longer to submit to the Roman Church. They attempted to re-establish communion with the Assyrian Church of the East but were unsuccessful (Robertson); finally, they reached an agreement with the Syriac Patriarch of Antioch, by which they would renounce Nestorianism and adhere to Orthodox faith and practice. The restored church thus became an autonomous part of the Syriac Orthodox Church of Antioch.

The eighteenth and nineteenth centuries gave rise to two schisms within the Malankara community. The Malabar Independent Syrian Church of Thozhiyur was founded in around 1774, following the disputed appointment of a local bishop; today this church has fewer than ten thousand members. Another split took place the following century, when Anglican-inspired reformers within the Malankara Church broke away to form the Mar Thoma Syrian Church of Malabar; today the Mar Thoma Church has approximately 700,000 members and is in communion with the Church of England).

The most significant schism for the Orthodox community of Malankara took place in the early twentieth century, when a large group of the faithful, pointing to the founding of the church by the apostle Thomas, urged the formation of an independent Indian Orthodox Church. Although the Malankara Church was already an autonomous, or self-governed, part of the Syriac Orthodox Church, the new faction desired autocephaly, or its own head rather than reliance on the patriarch of Antioch. The autocephalous church, established in 1912, became known as the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church, while the church that remained under the patriarchate became known as the Malankara Syrian Orthodox Church. Despite repeated efforts at reconciliation, relations between the two groups remain tense. As of 2004, each of the two churches has around 1,250,000 members.

NO DIALOGUE WITH THE 'AOCC' IN INDIANA AND OUR PRIMATIAL SEE
From the Syriac-Greek Antiochene Chancery and Primatial See

[Indianapolis IN] Several callers and some who wrote us in the past, have contacted the Syriac-Greek Antiochene Chancery Office asking about the association of our Church (because of its original name in 1892) with that of the American Orthodox Catholic Church (their current name) based in Indiana. Many Churches and bishops claim succession from Metropolitan Timotheos of Blessed Memory. However, a good portion are schismatic and hold doctrines not of the original Church. His Beatitude Metropolitan Timotheos Vilathi, our first Primate in the "Legitimate Succession" did consecrate some bishops who broke away from the Church, and started their own self-styled jurisdictions. Our Chancellor, Chorbishop Haralambos Winger, and our Coadjutor Archbishop Timothy Kjera, have both researched some of the claims and traditions of this particular group, and, as stated by Chorbishop, they do not appear to be governed by the policies and canons we are governed by or any other Orthodox Christian Church." Among some of the groups studied, there are those who believe in "reincarnation" who bill themselves as "Reformed Orthodox Catholic" or "Independent Orthodox" but who in fact are far from "Orthodox" and/or "Catholic" in the true ancient sense of the words. There are those who ordain women to the Holy Orders of the Priesthood. There are those whose beliefs vary from each other and all from the Orthodox Catholic Church and even the Roman Catholic Church. According to His Beatitude Metropolitan Stephen, " we did have some very short dialogue about six years ago with a female bishop from this group, but it was not "ecumenical dialogue" in nature."

From what we have read online and, as you know, it is not always gospel-truth if it is online, we have found that this group was established in Indianapolis Indiana under Archbishop Alfred Lankenau a former Roman Catholic priest. In one of the articles the following was stated. " Lankenau was ordained a priest in 1956 by Roman Catholic bishop James McNulty of the Diocese of Paterson, New Jersey. Lankenau was the founding pastor of Holy Eucharist Church in Indianapolis, Indiana, which developed a ministry with the gay and lesbian community. In June 1980, Fr. Lankenau was consecrated bishop by Bishop George Augustine Hyde of the Orthodox-Catholic Church of America, assisted by Bishop Joseph Raffaele (see below). He was then named the first bishop of the Diocese of Indianapolis and Chicago. In 1983 he was elected to the position of Presiding Bishop with the title of Archbishop of Washington and Indianapolis as well as Metropolitan of the Church." His primacy was inherited from Archbishop George Augustine Hyde of Washington DC. The issue about some documents that Hyde had somehow secured or coveted from our predecessors are unknown to us and how he got them. Archbishop George Augustine Hyde is discussed separately below due to his major part in the formation of the 'American Orthodox Catholic Church' and the 'Diocese of Indianapolis and Chicago'.

Bishop Joseph Raffaele was the founder of the 'American Orthodox Catholic Church – Western Rite Mission, Diocese of New York'. He was initially a layman in the Roman Catholic Church. On August 28, 1973, he founded St. Gregory's Church in Sayville New York. Three months later, he was ordained to the priesthood by Robert R Zaborowski of the Archdiocese of the American Orthodox Catholic Church in the U.S. and Canada, later known as the Mariavite Old Catholic Church. Raffaele's congregation drew a number of Catholic traditionalists who separated from the post-Vatican II Roman Catholic Church. The parish of St. Gregory's grew slowly, while Raffaele and his assistants, following the pattern of Old Catholic churches, continued to work at other jobs and spent their remaining time on the church. The parish would around this time move from Sayville to Shirley and later Ronkonkoma New York. In the mid-1970s, Zaborowski declared that the churches in his jurisdiction would be obliged to follow the religious traditions of the Polish Roman Catholic church. Raffaele would not agree to do so, and he and the parish left the church, to be excommunicated from it by Zaborowski shortly thereafter. According to His Beatitude Metropolitan Joseph John Skureth in 1971, (and many other bishops of the time and after), " Robert Zaborowski, Mariavite Old Catholic Bishop of Michigan, received his original consecration from the hands of a deceased bishop. Therefore, we do not accept such orders and consecration as valid. " Taken from articles online: "Raffaele and his church joined the Mount Athos Synod under Bishop Charles C. McCarthy, of the American Orthodox Catholic Church of Archbishop Patrick Healy. In 1976, McCarthy consecrated Raffaele a bishop, and at the same time made Raffaele's associate, Gerard J. Kessler a monsignor. Six months after being made a bishop, Raffaele and his church left the Mount Athos Synod, and formed the American Orthodox Catholic Church – Western Rite Mission, Diocese of New York."

Archbishop Alfred Lankenau later became the primate of the American Orthodox Catholic Church (Indianapolis), and he was the first – as they claim - "Canonical" Orthodox bishop to authorize the ordination of women, in 1994. The ordination of women to the priesthood in any of the truly canonical Orthodox Christian Churches is forbidden by canon law. and Sacred Tradition. The word "canonical " is used but disagreed with by several Orthodox Christian bishops. Lankenau was an outspoken supporter of the GLBT Community and favored legalizing same sex unions with full benefits. In 2000 he retired as Presiding Bishop and was given the title of Patriarch of Honor. This poses another issue when the word "patriarch" is used as there are no real canonical patriarchates in the United States of the Orthodox Christian Churches. The correct title would have been "Primate-Emeritus" or simply "primate of Honor." During his lifetime, he encouraged the growth of the Church and at his death there were congregations in 20 States with priests also serving Mexico and Australia. Always hospitable, he was recognized as a friend of priests and served many as their spiritual director and confessor.

In the closing of this article, we want to give some insight into the life of the founder of the person who actually gave created this jurisdiction known as "American Orthodox Catholic Church." George Augustine Hyde became the first archbishop of this Church and after his retirement he was succeeded by Archbishop Alfred Lankenau. When he retired and passed he was succeeded by Archbishop E. Paul Brian Carsten who died in March 2009. On June 1, 2009, Bishop Peter Robert Zahrt was elected and enthroned as the metropolitan archbishop of the jurisdiction. Archbishop George Hyde was actually the first known bishop of his church to minister to homosexuals, as he himself was also gay, and later Archbishop Lankenau continued this ministry. The following was taken from a website: " Hyde attended a Roman Catholic seminary, though he left before achieving priestly ordination. He became a high school teacher in Atlanta, Georgia, where he met John Augustine Kazantks, a bishop in the Orthodox Church of Greece, who had been pushed out of his post and his homeland due to his revealing his homosexual orientation. Occasioned by the denial of communion to a group of gay and lesbian Catholics in a local parish, Hyde, with Kazantks' blessing, decided to form an independent Catholic congregation for addressing their needs. During the month of June, 1946, bi-weekly "informational and educational programs" were begun, conducted by both Kazantks and Hyde, designed to prepare those in quest for an ecclesiastical life outside the Roman and other "institutional churches." The first formal gathering of the new parish was held on July 1, 1946, the occasion being the ordination of Hyde to the priesthood at the hands of Bishop Kazantks. This gathering was held in a meeting room of the Winecoff Hotel in Atlanta. This particular meeting room, the rental of which was underwritten by the management of the Cotton Blossom Room, a gay bar in the same hotel, was to house the activities of the nascent congregation from June to December, 1946. In late November l946, the emerging congregation rented a large residence near the downtown business district for housing a chapel and living quarters for the local clergy. Educational and instructional classes continued to meet at the Winecoff Hotel until it was destroyed by fire on December 7, 1946. Through working with the gay and lesbian community in Atlanta, contacts were made with a number of gay and lesbian people across Georgia who desired to relate to an accepting church. In January l947, Bishop Kazantks moved to Savannah, Georgia, and from his home there maintained a ministry to a scattered flock across southern Georgia, while Hyde did the same in Atlanta and the northern half of the state."

" Over the next decade the church experienced a reasonably steady growth. The original (1946) congregation of about 85 people had grown to a total of more than 200 people by the end of l947. In the l950s, Kazantks expressed his desire to return to Greece and did so in l957, dying later that year. Prior to his leaving he put Hyde in touch with Archbishop Clement Sherwood (1895-1969) of the American Holy Orthodox Catholic and Apostolic Eastern Church. On May 7, 1957, Hyde was consecrated a bishop by Sherwood, assisted by Bishop Maurice Francis Parkin and William Ernest James Robertson. In 1950, seven years prior to his consecration as bishop, Hyde had centered his pastoral outreach in Washington, D.C., where he established and functioned as superior of a "Worker Priest" ministry called "The Society of Domestic Missionaries." As workers in various secular jobs the Domestic Missionaries "took the church to where the people were". A secondary "benefit" was that their secular salaries went toward the support of the ministry-church. The present day practice of the Holiday Inn (motel chain) providing an "on call chaplain" for its guests was started in the early l960's by a Domestic Missionary whose secular occupation was a desk clerk at a Washington, D.C., Holiday Inn. " Up to now, we have read about multiple consecrations for various bishops, something that is unheard of in the Holy Orthodox Catholic Church consisting of the canonical Orthodox Christian Churches. Most jurisdictions term this act as illicit and invalid as valid ordination can be given only once, like a valid baptism.

It has been alleged that it was erroneously reported by some sources that shortly after his consecration Hyde split with Sherwood over Eastern vs. Western liturgical practices and that, in l960, Hyde formed his own church, i.e. the Orthodox Catholic Church of America. This is incorrect. While it is true that a brief disagreement did surface that negatively impacted the harmonious fellowship previously existing between Sherwood and Hyde, there was no formal schism. Subsequently, Sherwood designated Hyde as "Bishop of the Western Rite Missions" of the American-Eastern Orthodox Church" and charged him to accelerate Clement's own long-time plan for all of the Bishoprics of the American-Eastern Church to cut their identity ties with Greece, Russia, the Balkans, the Middle East and to identify themselves as members of an indigenous American Church under the title of the "Orthodox Catholic Church of America." This divesting of the assortment of ethnic bishoprics of their national identities was not very successful. Archbishop Clement Sherwood died April 9, l969, with Hyde being elected in l970 as his successor. With this event the nationally-defined ethnic Bishops (Russian, Greek, Ukrainian, etc.) went into schism, taking with them about eight thousand people and scores of clergy and churches, rather than to conform to the name change to Orthodox Catholic Church of America which they felt Hyde would now force upon them.

The Orthodox Catholic Church of America, while having an active pastoral outreach to gay people as members and priests, was never exclusively a "gay church", just as it was never a "black church" because of its pastoral outreach into the black community. Hyde encouraged and worked with the Reverend Robert Clement in nurturing his founding of a gay-oriented parish in New York's Greenwich Village, that was administratively known as the Eucharistic Catholic Church with its New York parish being known as the Church of the Beloved Disciple. This congregation eventually numbered about 500 people. Clement was consecrated Bishop in l974 and subsequently expanded the Eucharistic Catholic Ministry into Canada. Archbishop Hyde retired for health reasons in l983 and was succeeded as Archbishop of the Orthodox Catholic Church of America by Bishop Alfred Lankenau of Indianapolis, Indiana and Hyde moved to Belleair, Florida. In l995, the Orthodox Catholic Church of America, under the headship of Lankenau, decided to ordain women. Hyde disapproved of the decision, and when subsequently approached by a small group of priests and members who also disapproved of female priests, he came out of retirement so as to address and serve their liturgical, sacramental, and spiritual needs. When it became apparent that Lankenau and his associates were not going to abandon the practice of ordaining women, Hyde and his constituency incorporated in the State of Florida as the Autocephalous Orthodox Catholic Church of America. In common usage they are known as the Orthodox Catholic Archdiocese and Metropolitanate of America, the territorial and jurisdictional name originally given by the Patriarch of the historic Syrian Orthodox Church of Antioch to the American Orthodox Catholic Church upon the consecration of its first bishop in l892. Hyde spent the last years of his life living in Belleair, Florida. He died on May 4, 2010. He was cremated and his ashes buried in his family plot in Marietta, Georgia.

At this point in time, we of the Syriac-Greek Antiochian Orthodox Catholic Church have no affiliation what-so-ever with the Orthodox Catholic Church of America, or any of the other affiliated names given above, nor do they have any dialogue with us. We did have some very short dialogue with them some years ago. Some of the reasons why we cannot have any union or other dialogue with them is because the AOCC of Indianapolis "accepts both men and women, married and unmarried, as candidates for ordination to all three orders of the apostolic ministry" which would mean they ordain women to the orders of deacon, priest, and bishop. This is totally unacceptable to the Orthodox Christian Churches of Ancient Apostolic Successions. Also, the OCCA ordains openly lesbian, gay, transgender and bisexual persons as clergy. Access to the seven Holy Mysteries is offered to all individuals, but unlike the Orthodox Catholic Church, they do not combine Holy Baptism, Holy Chrismation, and Holy Eucharist as initial sacraments so that the newly baptized can begin receiving Holy Communion.

The following statement made by the "AOCC" is questionable by many and the manner in which the documents they allude to were that they acquired are contested by many as stated by these Archbishops: Daniel Brown in 1968 (deceased), Robert St Gernain-Iler (decesead) in 1995, Walter Xavier Brown (deceased), and Joseph John Skureth (deceased) in 1969. There was much discussion about this matter between Metropolitan Joseph Sokolowski and then Bishop Stephen Thomas (now Primate). All the previous bishops named have orders/succession from Metropolitan Timotheos

Vilathi. If the following statement made by them were true: " We are the original "American Orthodox Catholic Church" then its current beliefs and traditions weighed against the "original Archdiocese" it would truly separate them from Metropolitan Timotheos Vilathi and the legitimate Archdiocese, and all the bishops who held true to what was the norm from 1892 on. They state this - We are the original "American Orthodox Catholic Church" that was canonically established Feb. 2, 1927 and incorporated Feb. 1, 1928 by 'Archbishop Aftimios Ofiesh, Archbishop and corporate president'. Under the ancient Canon Law, enacted by the Council of Chalcedon in 453 A.D., this (Church) can be the only lawful Orthodox authority or jurisdiction in America. The only Church that can be "the only lawful … jurisdiction" is that which has maintained its Orthodox Catholicity from bishop to bishop since the time of His Beatitude Metropolitan Timotheos Vilathi, or it becomes schismatic. Since our current Primate in the legitimate succession of the Church can not determine how ecclesial documents from the State of Illinois were retrieved by George Augustine Hyde, we simply base the "legitimacy" question on the continuous "validity" of the Church. Suffice it to say – it is what it is and the Syriac-Greek Antiochian Orthodox Catholic Church traces it's apostolic succession back to His Beatitude Metropolitan Timotheos Vilathi, and it has maintained the faith in tact from the time of his consecration by His Holiness Igantius Peter III in 1892, and the declaration he subscribed to.

[Sharon Pennsylvania] St Nicholas Center offers homeless men a home and guidance in return for work on the grounds. This program has helped over sixty-eight men in the last four years and over 183 since 1998. In those years over 26 of these men have been chrismated into the Orthodox Catholic Church, many coming from pasts that did not include any church affiliation or faith at all. Four of these have entered the monastic life of the Church, and one is studying for the priesthood. Currently, many men are being cared for at St Nicholas that includes their room, food, their prescriptions, toiletries, personal needs, the outings they enjoy, and the new life they have found centered on Christ. However, this is costing St Nicholas Center much money and we are now brought to our knees asking for your assistance. We are in need of donations here so that our work started can continue and in time more centers to be opened. If you can find it in your heart to help with our expenses please send you donation to St Nicholas Center, 456 Nimick Street, Sharon PA 16146, or you may do so on your credit card as a donation through PayPal . Please make checks payable to "EOCC." We are a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization and your donations are tax deductible. Thank you.

"Giving to Glorify God" (Matthew 6: 1-4). The Syriac-Greek Antiochian Orthodox Catholic Holy Metropolis 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." Those not wanting their location known are left blank. Donation statements upon request. Your gift helps us to help many missions and many persons in the United States who are homeless and in need of assistance in various ways. Please consider this act of charity for those who have nothing. You are asked to consider a donation to help the Church with all its missions and programs by sending yours to the Metropolis of St Peter, 456 Nimick Street, Sharon PA 16146; or by using your credit card to make a donation through PayPal. All donations are tax-deductible. Please make your check payable to "EOCC." Every donor this year will receive a gift selected for you from the Holy Metropolis. Those donating $500.00 or more will receive a gift from the Holy Metropolis along with a "Great Benefactor Certificate" and enrollment in the "Perpetual Basilian Membership of Prayer which enrolls you or another living or deceased family member or friend in perpetual prayer offered for you or another by the members and monastics of the Community of St Basil and the Oblates of Mary Mother of God.

Saint Anthony the Great

aka St Anthony of Egypt or St Anthony of the Desert

"Father of Monasticism"

Born	c. 251 Herakleopolis Magna, Egypt

Died	c. 356 Mount Colzim, Egypt

Venerated in

Coptic Orthodox Church, Oriental Orthodox Churches, Eastern Orthodox Churches, Roman Catholic Church, Anglican Communion

Major shrine

Monastery of Saint Anhony, Egypt

Feast

17th of January

Anthony was born in Coma in Lower Egypt in AD 251 to wealthy landowner parents. When he was about 18 years old, his parents died and left him with the care of his unmarried sister. Shortly thereafter, he decided to follow the Evangelical counsel of Jesus which reads, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasures in heaven."[Mt 19:21] Anthony gave away some of his family's lands to his neighbors, sold the remaining property, and donated the funds thus raised to the poor. He then left to live an ascetic life, placing his sister with a group of Christian virgins,a sort of proto-nunnery.

For the next fifteen years, Anthony remained in the area, spending the first years as the disciple of another local hermit. There are various legends associating Anthony with pigs: one is that he worked as a swineherd during this period.

Anthony is sometimes considered the first monk, but there were others before him. There were already ascetic pagan hermits (the Therapeutae) and loosely organized cenobitic communities were described by the Hellenized Jewish philosopher Philo of Alexandria in the 1st century AD as long established in the harsh environment of Lake Mareotis and in other less accessible regions. Philo opined that "this class of persons may be met with in many places, for both Greece and barbarian countries want to enjoy whatever is perfectly good."Christian ascetics such as Thecla had likewise retreated to isolated locations at the outskirts of cities. Anthony is notable for having decided to surpass this tradition and headed out into the desert proper. He left for the alkaline Nitrian Desert (later the location of the noted monasteries of Nitria, Kellia, and Scetis) on the edge of the Western Desert about 95 km (59 mi) west of Alexandria. He remained there for 13 years.

According to Athanasius, the devil fought Anthony by afflicting him with boredom, laziness, and the phantoms of women, which he overcame by the power of prayer, providing a theme for Christian art. After that, he moved to a tomb, where he resided and closed the door on himself, depending on some local villagers who brought him food. When the devil perceived his ascetic life and his intense worship, he was envious and beat him mercilessly, leaving him unconscious. When his friends from the local village came to visit him and found him in this condition, they carried him to a church.

After he recovered, he made a second effort and went back into the desert to a farther mountain by the Nile called Pispir (now Der-el-Memun), opposite Arsinoe. There he lived strictly enclosed in an old abandoned Roman fort for some 20 years. According to Athanasius, the devil again resumed his war against Anthony, only this time the phantoms were in the form of wild beasts, wolves, lions, snakes, and scorpions. They appeared as if they were about to attack him or cut him into pieces. But the saint would laugh at them scornfully and say, "If any of you have any authority over me, only one would have been sufficient to fight me." At his saying this, they disappeared as though in smoke. While in the fort he only communicated with the outside world by a crevice through which food would be passed and he would say a few words. Anthony would prepare a quantity of bread that would sustain him for six months. He did not allow anyone to enter his cell; whoever came to him stood outside and listened to his advice.

Then one day he emerged from the fort with the help of villagers, who broke down the door. By this time most had expected him to have wasted away or to have gone insane in his solitary confinement. Instead, he emerged healthy, serene, and enlightened. Everyone was amazed that he had been through these trials and emerged spiritually rejuvenated. He was hailed as a hero and from this time forth the legend of Anthony began to spread and grow. Anthony went to Fayyum and confirmed the brethren there in the Christian faith before returning to his fort.

Amid the Diocletian Persecutions, Anthony wished to become a martyr and in 311 went to Alexandria. He visited those who were imprisoned for the sake of Christ and comforted them. When the Governor saw that he was confessing his Christianity publicly, not caring what might happen to him, he ordered him not to show up in the city. However, the Saint did not heed his threats. He faced him and argued with him in order that he might arouse his anger so that he might be tortured and martyred, but it did not happen.

At the end of the persecutions, Anthony returned to his old Roman fort. By this time, many more had heard of his sanctity and he had many more visitors than before. He saw these visits as interfering with his worship and went further into the Eastern Desert. He traveled for three days before reaching a small oasis with a spring and some palm trees and chose to settle there. Disciples soon found him out and his number of visitors again continued to grow.

Anthony had not been the first ascetic or hermit, but he may properly be called the "Father of Monasticism" in Christianity, as he organized his disciples into a worshipful community and inspired similar withdrawn communities throughout Egypt and, following the spread of Athanasius's hagiography, the Greek and Roman world. His follower Macarius the Great was particularly active in continuing his legacy.

Anthony anticipated the rule of Benedict by about 200 years, engaging himself and his disciples in manual labor. Anthony himself cultivated a garden and wove rush mats. He and his disciples were regularly sought for words of enlightenment. These statements were later collected into the book of Sayings of the Desert Fathers . Anthony himself is said to have spoken to those of a spiritual disposition personally, leaving the task of addressing the more worldly visitors to Macarius. On occasions, he would go to the monastery on the outskirts of the desert by the Nile to visit the brethren, then return to his inner monastery.

The backstory of one of the surviving epistles, directed to Constantine I, recounts how the fame of Saint Anthony spread abroad and reached Emperor Constantine. The Emperor wrote to him offering praise and requesting prayers. The brethren were pleased with the Emperor's letter, but Anthony did not pay any attention to it, and he said to them, "The books of God, the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords, commands us every day, but we do not heed what they tell us, and we turn our backs on them." Under the persistence of the brethren who told him "Emperor Constantine loves the church", he accepted to write him a letter blessing him, and praying for the peace and safety of the empire and the church.

According to Athanasius, Saint Anthony heard a voice telling him "Go out and see." He went out and saw an angel who wore a girdle with a cross, one resembling the holy Eskiem (Tonsure or Schema), and on his head was a head cover (Kolansowa). He was sitting while braiding palm leaves, then he stood up to pray, and again he sat to weave. A voice came to him saying, "Anthony, do this and you will rest." Henceforth, he started to wear this tunic that he saw, and began to weave palm leaves, and never was bored again. Saint Anthony prophesied about the persecution that was about to happen to the church and the control of the heretics over it, the church victory and its return to its former glory, and the end of the age. When Saint Macarius visited Saint Anthony, Saint Anthony clothed him with the monk's garb, and foretold him what would be of him. When the day drew near of the departure of Saint Paul the First Hermit in the desert, Saint Anthony went to him and buried him, after clothing him in a tunic which was a present from St Athanasius the Apostolic, the 20th Patriarch of Alexandria.

In 338, he left the desert temporarily to visit Alexandria to help refute the teachings of Arius. Although not particularly learned, Anthony was able to confound the Arians.

When Saint Anthony felt that the day of his departure had approached, he commanded his disciples to give his staff to Saint Macarius, and to give one sheepskin cloak to Saint Athanasius and the other sheepskin cloak to Saint Serapion, his disciple. He further instructed his disciples to bury his body in an unmarked, secret grave.

He probably spoke only his native language, Coptic, but his sayings were spread in a Greek translation. He himself left no writings. His biography was written by Saint Athanasius and titled Life of Saint Anthony the Great . Many stories are also told about him in various collections of sayings of the Desert Fathers.

Famously, Anthony is said to have faced a series of supernatural temptations during his pilgrimage to the desert. The first to report on the temptation was his contemporary Athanasius of Alexandria. It is possible these events, like the paintings, are full of rich metaphor or in the case of the animals of the desert, perhaps a vision or dream. Some of the stories included in Saint Anthony's biography are perpetuated now mostly in paintings, where they give an opportunity for artists to depict their more lurid or bizarre interpretations.

Most of what is known about Saint Anthony comes from the Life of Anthony. Written in Greek around 360 by Athanasius of Alexandria, it depicts Anthony as an illiterate and holy man who through his existence in a primordial landscape has an absolute connection to the divine truth, which always is in harmony with that of Athanasius as the biographer. Sometime before 374, it was translated into Latin by Evagrius of Antioch. The Latin translation helped the Life become one of the best known works of literature in the Christian world, a status it would hold through the Middle Ages. In addition to the Life, several surviving homilies and epistles of varying authenticity provide some additional autobiographical detail.

Anthony had been secretly buried on the mountain-top where he had chosen to live. His remains were reportedly discovered in 361, and transferred to Alexandria. Some time later, they were taken from Alexandria to Constantinople, so that they might escape the destruction being perpetrated by invading Saracens. In the eleventh century, the Byzantine emperor gave them to the French Count Jocelin. Jocelin had them transferred to La-Motte-Saint-Didier, which was then renamed Saint-Antoine-en-Dauphiné. There, Anthony is credited with assisting in a number of miraculous healings, primarily from ergotism, which became known as "St. Anthony's Fire". He was credited by two local noblemen of assisting them in recovery from the disease. They then founded the Hospital Brothers of St. Anthony in honor of him, who specialized in nursing the victims of skin diseases.

Veneration of Anthony in the East is more restrained. There are comparatively few icons and paintings of him. He is regarded as the "first master of the desert and the pinnacle of holy monks", however, and there are monastic communities of the Maronite, Chaldean, and Orthodox churches which state that they follow his monastic rule.

These crispy cookies are made with Piedmontese staples—hazelnuts and eggs—and called Brutti Ma Buoni: literally, "Ugly But Good." But they are really more plain-looking than "ugly," and pack a powerful, sweet, nutty burst of flavor, making them welcome at any table.

Makes:             About 2 1/2 dozen cookies
Active Time:     15 minutes
Total Time:       2 hours

Is it allowed in the Syriac-Greek Antiochian Orthodox Catholic Christian Church for priests to marry? Stephen Moulas (Pittsburgh PA)

A. The Syriac-Greek Antiochian Orthodox Catholic Church allows for married priests, as all of the jurisdictions world-wide allow, However, we allow this if the man marries before his ordination as priest, and we, like many of the jurisdictions, promote doing this before the holy diaconate, although some jurisdictions allow the deacon to marry and then go on to ordination as priest. We have never allowed a man to marry as a deacon, but the Church is open to flexibility in this matter on an individual case by case petition. There is currently some major discussions concerning our jurisdiction allowing men who are deacons to marry without permission and then be ordained priest. However, a man ordained a priest not married must remain so.

Recently I have heard about "msone" being required to be worn by priests in the Syrian Orthodox Church, and now reading about this in the Syriac-Greek Antiochian Orthodox Catholic Church emails and "OCH." Can you tell me something about this issue? Elizabeth Woods (Homewood IL)

A. In some of the Oriental Orthodox Churches i t is the rule that those who enter the Holy Bema, the sacred part of the sanctuary where the Holy Altar is found, only liturgical slippers (msone) may be worn. It is this way so that nothing from the outside world, dirt or other things, enters the Holy Bema. We enter this area spotlessly in mind, body, and spirit. In some jurisdictions, like ours, this also applies to the servers and readers who serve within the sanctuary of the church and who might be needed in the Holy Bema. In some cases the msone are also worn in the sanctuary.

I am a priest in the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia (ROCOR) who is contemplating leaving and accepting the Christology and other traditions of your Church. Where should I write? (Gregory (last name and location withheld).

A. You can write to the Syriac-Greek Antiochene Holy Metropolis of St Peter at 456 Nimick Street, Sharon PA 16146.

A. The Greek words "Agios O Theos" mean "Holy God" and is the opening to the Trisagion Prayers sung at the Divine Liturgy of Mass in most Orthodox Christian Churches throughout the world. It is the "Thrice Holy Hymn" and the full opening is "Holy God, Holy Might One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us." In Greek, "Agios O Theos, Agios Ischiros, Agios Athanatanos, eleison imas." In the Syrian Orthodox and Syriac-Greek Antiochene Churches, and some others, is added after "Holy Immortal One" the words "Who was crucified for us." Axios is also a Greek word meaning "worthy" and is chanted at various times especially at ordinations.

When was the first American Orthodox Catholic Archdiocese of America actually formed? Theresa Lyons (Chicago IL).

A. Our "original" Archdiocese was actually created and blessed by His Holiness Ignatius Peter III of Antioch in May 1892 under the name "American Orthodox Catholic Church (Metropolitanate and Archdiocese). This was how we were first known in the United States of America and later, after a few changes, in 2008, was renamed the Archdiocese of the Americas & Dependencies of the Syriac-Greek Antiochian Orthodox Catholic Church. We are still an American Church but now exist in many other parts of the world where the local vernacular is used in all services of the Church.

A. God commanded the Patriarch Abraham the Old Testament biblical servant of God to be circumcised, and that all his descendants be also circumcised. This is the practice of the Jewish Faith, and is also the same among many Orthodox Christian Churches.

*** If you have a question about the Orthodox Catholic Christian Faith or the Syriac-Greek Antiochian Orthodox Catholic Church, please send it to OCH Editor, 456 Nimick Street, Sharon PA 16146. ***

The Syriac-Greek Antiochian Orthodox Catholic Archdiocese, like other small Orthodox jurisdictions, realizes that there are members who live far away from the nearest parish to them. In some cases, there are parishes of other jurisdictions that are in inter-communion with us or in which mutual recognition has been exchanged. In such cases our members may attend those 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 the option is trying to establish a prayer group and hold gatherings to discuss Scripture and Orthodox Catholicism. This is the start that one day can grow into a mission parish with the Typica Service or Liturgy of Mass held in home chapels on Sunday and Holy Days or a rented building. Domestic Chapels and Communities may be established in homes until a parish can be officially established. For further information contact His Eminence Archbishop Timothy at or St Nicholas Center, 456 Nimick Street, Sharon PA 16146. If you are interested in assisting the Archdiocese in establishing a mission parish in your area, please contact us.

MANDATE TO ALL CLERGY – (07.10.14) (Reiterated by Primate 9.17.15) The Primate has requested that all clergy refrain from placing any information on their websites that may suggest to others that we are already in union with the Holy See of the Patriarchate of Antioch. As stated previously, the reunification dialogue is very delicate and still in progress. Those who fail to follow this Mandate will be reprimanded and, if necessary, disciplined.

2015 CODE OF CANONS & STATUES – (0521.15.1) The Syriac-Greek Antiochene Primatial Archdiocese has announced that the new 2005 Code will be ready for purchase by December 20, 2015. This will also be available online. The cost of the 2005 Code will be $75.00 plus S&H. All clergy are required to have a copy of the 2005 Code, or to download it to or from your computer for reference.

OFFICIAL COMMEMORATION AT ALL MASSES – (06.29.14.1) Ordered by His Beatitude Metropolitan Stephen V Primate of the Church – His Holiness Moran Mor Ignatius Aphrem II, enthroned as the 123rd Patriarch of the Syriac Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch & All East on May 29, 2014, shall be commemorated in the Liturgy of the Mass and all other litanies in all services of the Church. Note of Interest: As His Holiness Moran Mor Ignatius Aphrem II became the 123rd successor to the Patriarchal Throne of Antioch, we began our 123rd year as a jurisdiction that came from the Patriarchate of Antioch (1892).

ANNUAL DAY OF COMMEMORATION – (05.09.15.1) Ordered by His Beatitude Metropolitan Stephen, V Primate of the Church – Consecration of His Beatitude Metropolitan Timotheos Vilathi I Primate and Establishment of the Church and Primatial Archdiocese in the United States on May 29, 1892. This shall be commemorated in all parishes on May 29 annually except if it falls on a Holy Day of Obligation, then it is transferred to the first Sunday after the Holy Day.

Note: Due to the unrest and turmoil going on in the Democratic Republic of the Congo all ordinations in this country have been put on hold until further notice. Let us pray for immediate peace there.

Note: We ask that all readers and members of the Commission on Religious Counseling & Healing and our clergy to please keep in your prayers Dr Michael Farley DCh FSAC who is seriously ill at this time. We also ask your prayers for his wife, Anna.

We ask all our readers to keep Dr Bruce Wright DCh FASC who has been ill for a long time in their prayers and has been fighting several serious medical conditions for over sixteen months.

Note: If you, or someone you know, is sick or suffering, please let us know and you (or they) will be added to the "OCH" Prayer List. Send full name, address, and age. Thank you.

Lord, have mercy on their souls and all Your faithful departed, who by Your mercy, O God, rest in the sleep of peace. Amen!

Note : If you had a passing in your family or at your local parish, or a friend, please let us know so they can be listed in this section.

[Office of the Primate] Seminarian Ivan Kyambadde of Kampala Uganda was personally received into seminary preparation for the Holy Priesthood of the Church. Most of his preparation will be through St Mark's Seminary via distance education, the other studies will come through St Athanasius Seminary in Nigeria, He has been in the process now for a few months.

The Syriac-Greek Antiochene Vicariate of Uganda was a vicariate of more than five parishes and missions under the Primatial See. However, in 2013 it was discovered that certain clergy there were secretly under the auspices of two jurisdictions at the same time. This is an uncanonical act. The clergy were dismissed from the Syriac-Greek Antiochian Orthodox Catholic Church. Such occurrences exist within the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, who have been known to "bribe" or "covet" parishes from other jurisdictions who are at the time under a canonical authority. The same occurrence happened in Saraghoda Pakistan where the Church lost property belonging to it - to ROCOR, whose hierarch ordained an untrained man to the priesthood in return for the property donated to our Primatial See..This matter will eventually be handled legally.

Very Reverend Father Noah Kasule is currently the Primatial Vicar of Uganda under His Beatitude Metropolitan Stephen, and serves there at the pleasure of the Primate. He, too, will be responsible for the seminarian's formation and guidance. The Church is currently try to rebuild itself in Uganda. The deception that existed in Uganda among some clergy from 2010 – 2013 caused the Church to lose many faithful members of the laity because of the suspended clergy there who did not know what was happening. Seminarian Ivan has committed himself to work hard for the Church in Uganda.

[Eaton CT] Plans to establish a Syriac-Greek Antiochian Orthodox Catholic Mission Parish in Eaton Connecticut have now begun under the administration of Reverend Deacon James J Stuck. Deacon James is already planning to make visitations to local hospitals and nursing homes to visit the infirmed and elderly in order to make the new mission known. In addition, he will be looking for a place to open St Thomas the Apostle Parish. More information on this matter will be released soon. His wife. Diakonissa Joanna Janet Stuck, will be assisting Deacon James in the formation of St Thomas Mission Parish in Eaton Connecticut, and in other evangelical ministries of the parish.

[Sharon PA] Father John Tokarick from Lancaster Pennsylvania petitioned the Syriac-Greek Antiochene Primatial See to be accepted as a priest within the Syriac-Greek Antiochian Orthodox Catholic Church. He comes from the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia from which he advised us he was canonically released. Father John stated he was ordained a priest in the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church Sobornopravna by Archbishop Kyril in Omaha Nebraska on January 14, 2001. His petition for incardination was being reviewed while he was domiciled at St Nicholas Center in Sharon Pennsylvania, although never approved. In the time he was there he was alleged to have asked a young resident there if he wanted to engage in smoking some pot with him. This was brought to administration immediately and investigated. In another issue, he had been seen exchanging some pills with another person and it was alleged he received money for pills just purchased at a Rite Aid. This issue was verified by two witnesses and advised of by an unknown caller. There were other allegations made against him by other people, known and unknown, about other matters that took place during his stay. On September 1, 2015 when he knew that something was awry regarding him, he left St Nicholas and after about two weeks returned with a "Father Paul" to gather his belongings and leave. Some of the allegations were found factual during the investigation and the Primate ordered his application be denied. When His Beatitude was asked if any canonical sanctions would be issued against him, he replied: "It is not within my powers as I did not incardinate him, this would rest with whoever the bishop is that "released him. If he were one of ours, he would no longer be a priest in the Church. I have done what I am allowed to do – deny his application." Last heard he was in the vicinity of Largo Florida.

[ Daleville AL] Father John Giddings who entered the incardination process in our Church, about a year ago, was admitted to our jurisdiction after a few delays on September 21, 2015. He will be assigned to establish a mission parish in Daleville Alabama under the patronal name of St Ephrem. Father has been in dialogue with the Primatial Archdiocese for over a year and has always expressed himself as a dedicate and sincere person. His Eminence Archbishop Timothy recommended the approval of Father John to His Beatitude which was accepted. St Ephrem's will become the first parish in Alabama of our jurisdiction since the closing of St George the Martyr Parish in Huntsville Alabama in 1999 due to the passing away of its pastor, and having no successor priest at that time.

[Largo FL] The Primatial See has blessed the formation of a new mission parish in Largo Florida. The Primatial See approved the establishment of this mission parish under the patronal name of St Michael & All Archangels. This was done on August 21, 2015 by His Beatitude Metropolitan Stephen. It will be under the administration of Seminarian Michael Bohon who will be ordained to the subdiaconate later this year. He is studying for the priesthood under St Mark Seminary & Graduate School. It is his desire to begin reaching out to the unchurched, those in need of a parish family, the sick and the suffering as he continues his studies. He will engage in making hospital and nursing home visitations, and in forming the new mission parish. It is expected that a domestic chapel for the mission will be open soon.

[Kenya] Seminarian Matthew Fred Onwonga of Nyamarambe Kisi Kenya is administrator of Holy Apostles of Christ Mission that has approximately 70 members all of whom have converted to the Syriac-Greek Antiochian Orthodox Catholic Church from the Protestant Evangelical Church. The parish is working hard with limited income to continue building their parish church. Your donation will help them purchase the many building materials and sacred utensils needed, and to purchase educational materials for the children and adults, and so much more. We are hoping that those reading this will make a donation to help build for Christ. The chrismation of all the faithful will be handled by His Excellency Archbishop Anthony Akinnugba, Primatial Legate for Africa, later this year. Please make your donation out to "EOCC" and note it for Holy Apostles of Christ Mission of Kenya and mail to the OCH address on heading of this newsletter. Please - do not pass by this "cry for help."

Advertise in the Herald You can advertise your parish, center, club or other organization in this section for $10.00 plus $.25 (twenty-five cents) per word. The "Orthodox Christian Herald" is sent to every diocese which copies it on to local members. It is read by over 4,200 people and growing.

Framed Icon of St Panteleimon, Patron of Healers Available from the Archdiocesan Chancery, 456 Nimick Street, Sharon PA 16146, these icons are framed and suitable for hanging in counseling centers, clinics, offices, and in the home. $35.00 for framed icon with hard card stock paper trimmed in gold, and without frame on plain card stock $15.00, postage and handling included at this time as well. Commission members are required to have this icon hanging in their offices and clinics. Order yours today.

Handmade Nun Dolls from the Past Handmade nun dolls from the past. Full habits of many orders of nuns from various Churches including Orthodox, Lutheran, and Roman. Nostalgia brought to your doorsteps. These are beautifully created and show the exact habits of nuns worn many years ago. Write for a catalog or additional information to Father Patrick Lemming or Presbytera Josie Lemming, St James House, 804 Catlett Road, Sevierville TN 37862.

Primatial Archdiocese of the Americas & Dependencies - Write to His Eminence Archbishop Timothy Kjera, 456 Nimick Street, Sharon PA 16146.

Commission on Religious Counseling and Healing CRCH.RBSOCC.ORG For information on the Commission write – Vincent Cappabianca CSB, 456 Nimick Street, Sharon PA 16146. This is an organization of licensed healing professionals in service to God. They serve through the Healing Ministry of the Church.

Lay Companions is open to married or single men and women wishing to share in the good works and prayers of the Basilian Monastic Communities. Those interested in becoming a lay companion should write to the Moderator of Lay Companion Vocations, 456 Nimick Street, Sharon PA 16146. Application on request. You may also email us for more information and application to rbsocc@juno.com .

Community of St Basil / Sisters of St Basil is open to those who wish to follow a monastic way of life. Write to Community of St Basil, 456 Nimick Street, Sharon PA 16146. The Community has monastic centers in the African Congo, Nigeria, Alaska (USA), and Pennsylvania (USA). The Sisters of St Basil are headquartered in the African Congo. In addition to Priests, Brothers, and Nuns, there are also Companions of the Basilian Monastic Community who now belong to the Oblates of Mary Mother of God. His Eminence Archbishop Timothy is the interim Archabbot of the Congregation of Basilian Monastic Communities.

Oblates of Mary Mother of God is open to those who wish to follow a lay community way of life and prayers but not under the traditional vows of monastic members. This is a pious society of the Church and it is a "lay companion" branch of the Community of St Basil, a monastic community of men, and also women belonging to the Sisters of St Basil. Established on June 27th, 2014, the Oblates of Mary Mother of God is a community for non-monastic members although clergy are invited to join as well. This mainly "companion" community was blessed and canonized as a "pious society" of the Church by His Beatitude Metropolitan Stephen, Primate. Headquarters will be announced.

All Saints Syriac-Greek Antiochian Orthodox Catholic Chapel, 2216 Culver Avenue, Anchorage Alaska, Chorbishop Haralambos Winger, Pastor. This chapel is temporarily closed due to the serious illness of its pastor and his retirement.

All Saints of Ireland Syriac-Greek Antiochian Orthodox Catholic Parish , 16 Lios NA Circle, Saleen Castlebar County Mayo, Republic of Ireland; VR Archimandrite Fr Padraig Kneafsey, Pastor. Contact Very Reverend Father Padraig Kneafsey CSB for Liturgy of Mass schedule.

Holy Apostles of Christ Syriac-Greek Antiochian Orthodox Catholic Mission under the care of Seminarian Matthew Fred Onwonga of Nyamarambe Kisi Kenya, mission administrator. More details to come later.

St Athanasius Major Seminary Syriac-Greek Antiochian Orthodox Catholic , 7 Orthodox Avenue, Makogi Ogun State Nigeria (Africa). His Excellency Archbishop Anthony MacFonse Akinnugba CSB, Rector.

St Anthony the Great Cathedral Syriac-Greek Antiochian Orthodox Catholic, His Excellency Archbishop Anthony MacFonse Akinnugba CSB , Pastor. More information to be announced.

Ss Cosmas and Damian Syriac-Greek Antiochian Orthodox Catholic Chapel, 785 Grand Avenue #206, Carlsbad California; Very Reverend Archpriest Stephen Lawrence DDS JCD, Pastor.

St Ephrem Syriac-Greek Antiochian Orthodox Catholic Mission, Father John Giddings, Founding Priest, located temporarily at 431 County Road 44, Hartford Alabama. More information later.

St Ignatius of Antioch Syriac-Greek Antiochian Orthodox Catholic Mission Parish, 710 Carnegie Avenue, Sharon Pennsylvania. Sunday Liturgy of Mass temporarily celebrated on Saturdays at 5:00 pm and Holy Days as announced. Proskomide Service celebrated every Friday evening at 7:00 pm in preparation for Holy Liturgy of Mass on Saturday. Archbishop Timothy Kjera, Administrator. For information call St Nicholas Center at 724.308.6218.

St Mark Seminary & Graduate School (Syriac-Greek Antiochian Orthodox Catholic) is a distance education program with some in-house practica in Liturgics. Programs offered are in Theocentric Chiropathy, Behavioral Chiropathy or Theocentric Psychotherapy, Ministry, Divinity, Religion, Biblical Studies, Biblical Medicine (Healing and Herbology), Pastoral Counseling, Pastoral and Chaplaincy Services, and more. For more information write: St Mark Seminary & Graduate School Administrator, c/o 456 Nimick Street, Sharon PA 16146, or email to rbsocc@juno.com .

St Mary & St Andrew Syriac-Greek Antiochian Orthodox Catholic Church, 5907 Grand Avenue, Duluth Minnesota. Plans to sell the building are now in effect. Please call 724.308.6218 for more information and ask for Brother Vincent.

St Micheal & All Archangels Syriac-Greek Antiochian Orthodox Catholic Mission, 13801 Walsingham Road, A-118, Largo Florida. Seminarian Michael Bohon, Administrator of Mission.

St Nicholas of Myra Syriac-Greek Antiochian Orthodox Catholic Homeless Center, 456 Nimick Street, Sharon PA 16146. Liturgy of the Mass and Holy Unction of the Sick as announced.

St Paul the Apostle Syriac-Greek Antiochian Orthodox Catholic Parish (New Jersey) under the pastorate of VR Father Thomas Dillon JCD. Further information will be announced in the next edition.

St Stephen Protomartyr Syriac-Greek Antiochian Orthodox Catholic Mission Parish, Uganda, Seminarian Ivan

St Thomas the Apostle Syriac-Greek Antiochian Orthodox Catholic Mission Parish, Eaton Connecticut will be announcing contact information soon. It is under the care of Rev Deacon James J Stuck who is mission administrator. More details later.

Ss Vladimir & Olga Chapel , St Paul Minnesota. Father Vladimir Raasch. (Send email to Chancery for more information. This mission is not under the omophor of the Holy Metropolis, but is in association with it. Contact rbsocc@juno.com for more information.