Category Archives: Orthodox Church in America

Archbishop Nathaniel issues Pastoral Letter marking the beginning of the Dormition Fast

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His Eminence, Archbishop Nathaniel of Detroit and the Romanian Episcopate, Locum Tenens, issued a pastoral letter concerning the Dormition Fast, which begins on August 1, 2012.

The text of the letter reads as follows.  It may also be accessed in PDF format here.

Pastoral Letter on the Beginning of the Dormition Fast

July 26, 2012

Feast of Saint Jacob of Alaska

To the Worthy Clergy, Pious Faithful and Monastics:

“Most Holy Birthgiver of God Save Us!”

Dearly Beloved in Christ, we are at the outset of the Fast of the Falling-Asleep of the Holy Birthgiver of God. At the end of the prescribed time of fasting and reflection, we shall joyfully celebrate the translation of the Theotokos to the heights of heaven. She is our constant intercessor with her Divine Son, our Lord and God and Savior, Jesus Christ. Our Orthodox tradition is: first the fast and then the feast! So, the Church in North America is also in a time of fasting and reflection in anticipation of the Descent of the Holy Spirit on our special All-American Electoral Council.

I am Nathaniel, Archbishop of the Romanian Episcopate of the Orthodox Church in America. Inasmuch as I am the oldest in date of ordination into the Holy Episcopacy (1980), I was appointed by the Holy Synod, according to the Statute, to be the Locum Tenens of our Church until the election of a new Metropolitan. My role is temporary; to oversee, together with the Holy Synod, an orderly transition from the present status and to prepare the Church for the special All-American Electoral Council. His Grace, Bishop Michael of New York and New Jersey was appointed by the Holy Synod to be the Temporary Administrator of our Church. He has a “hands-on” obligation.

The Holy Synod is in constant contact among members, acting according to the Statute to prepare for the election. In addition to daily communications, the Holy Synod will meet in a special session on August 13, just before the conclusion of the Fast and in anticipation of the celebration of the Feast of the Holy Virgin. Our agenda is to decide on what is necessary to move forward with a decision on the time and place of the Council. For this, we ask your prayers. Other matters, of course, will be taken up.

Dearly beloved, the Church in this period of fasting and spiritual reflection is preparing for the Electoral Council at which we shall elect a new Metropolitan. The Holy Synod is fasting and praying for guidance even as you are fasting and praying for the “peace for the Holy Church of God.” The Holy Synod, knows that some in the Church are saddened and wondering what will be taking place; we are aware of this sadness and are laboring to change that into joy.  After the election, “we shall rejoice in the Lord.”

Each hierarch in his own diocese is going about his apostolic labor as shepherd of his flock and, as a member of the Holy Synod, working together serving our Holy Church in North America. Each clergyman, each lay person, each monastic is exhorted to continue “to serve the Lord in fear and trembling” during this opportune period of fasting in anticipation of the joy which will come at the celebration of the Most Holy Virgin, and in due time, the resolution of the office of Metropolitan.

Across North America – Canada, Mexico, and the United States – let us all beseech the Holy Virgin to intercede for us and call upon all the Saints of North America the founders and benefactors, the martyrs and teachers, the pioneers who brought the faith to be with us in the days ahead so that our fasting and prayers may be pleasing to God and a good preparation for the work which lies ahead of us, “that is the salvation of our souls” (1 Peter 1:9).

The Lord bless!

+ Nathaniel
Archbishop of Detroit and the Romanian Episcopate
Locum Tenens of the Orthodox Church in America

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Metropolitan Jonah tenders resignation

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(OCA) In a letter addressed to the members of the Holy Synod of Bishops dated Friday, July 6, 2012, His Beatitude, Metropolitan Jonah tendered his resignation as Primate of the Orthodox Church in America. His Beatitude composed and signed the letter at his residence in Washington, DC, in the presence of Archpriest John Jillions, OCA Chancellor. On Saturday, July 7, the letter was presented to the Holy Synod in the course of a conference call in which all of the hierarchs participated, except His Eminence, Archbishop Alejo of Mexico City. The text of His Beatitude’s letter reads as follows.

“To the Holy Synod of the Orthodox Church in America, “Brothers, “As per your unanimous request, as conveyed to me by Chancellor Fr. John Jillions, I hereby tender my resignation as Primate of the Orthodox Church in America, and humbly request another Episcopal assignment. “I had come to the realization long ago that that I have neither the personality nor the temperament for the position of Primate, a position I never sought nor desired. “It is my hope that due consideration will be made for my financial situation, both in any interim and in consideration for any future position. I am the main financial support for both my parents and my sister, beyond my own needs. “I will appreciate your consideration in this, and beg forgiveness for however I have offended you, and for whatever difficulties have arisen from my own inadequacies and mistakes in judgment. “Asking your prayers, I remain faithfully yours, “Metropolitan Jonah, Archbishop of Washington”

The hierarchs again will meet via conference call on Monday, July 9, after which additional information will be made available.

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Metropolitan Jonah attends meeting of the Friends of Mount Athos in UK

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(OCA) On Friday and Saturday, June 15-16, 2012, His Beatitude, Metropolitan Jonah will travel to Oxford, England to participate as a member of the society in the Annual General Meeting of the Friends of Mount Athos. Under the presidency of His Eminence, Metropolitan Kallistos [Ware] of Diokleia, the Friends of Mount Athos is a charitable and education society dedicated to supporting the well-being of monasteries of Mount Athos and aiding those undertaking pilgrimages to the Holy Mountain. Metropolitan Jonah will deliver a talk titled “Monasticism in an American Context.” Other presentations during the annual meeting will include “The Monk and the Maiden: Theophanes the Cretan and the Athonite Iconography of the Annunciation”, by Father Maximos of Simonopetra Monastery, and “Georgia on My Mind: An Illustrated Presentation on Monasteries in Georgia”, by Mr. Peter Lea. During the weekend, with the blessing of His All Holiness, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople, Metropolitan Jonah also will visit the well-known Patriarchal Stavropegial Monastery of St John the Baptist in Essex, England, founded in 1959 by Archimandrite Sophrony, the disciple of Saint Silouan the Athonite. Metropolitan Jonah will spend a few days in retreat at the monastery.

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Archpastoral Letter of His Beatitude Metropolitan Jonah for the Great Feast of Pentecost

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(OCA.org)To the Very Reverend and Reverend Clergy, Monastics, and Faithful of

Icon of the Pentecost

the Orthodox Church in America:

The Great Feast of Pentecost is a celebration of humility. It is the humble acceptance of a gift – the gift of life – which we receive by bending our knees before the One Who is Life Itself.

On the Great and Holy Day of Pentecost, we truly marvel at God’s divine reversal of Babel. In days of old, He scattered the people of the earth by confusing their tongues, since they wanted only to make a name for themselves. But on the day of Pentecost, He sends the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles, so that the whole world would hear and understand the Good News of the risen Christ. Having emptied Himself by taking on our human nature, Christ reunites the world with Himself – in His Name – through the proclamation of the Gospel in all the languages of the world. Is this not why, with inexpressible joy, we shouted, “Christ is Risen!” in many languages during the 40 days of Pascha? Is this not why with boldness we announced in many tongues the Prologue of the Gospel according to Saint John – “In the beginning was the Word…?”

We are blessed in the Orthodox Church in America to continue the inspired practice of reaching those to whom we are sent in their own languages – from Alutiq in Alaska to new translations into Otomi, a regional, ancient (but living) language of native Mexicans; to English, Spanish, French, Romanian, and Russian. We seek in our services and our educational materials, our prayers and our preaching, to make disciples by teaching the unchangeable words of the Unchangeable Word by means of intelligible words.

As much a feast of tongues, Holy Pentecost is a feast of humility. It is a return to what the late Father Alexander Schmemann called “the routine drudgery of everyday existence.” Having enjoyed the presence of the Bridegroom for 40 days, having awaited the promised Comforter with those gathered in the Upper Room for ten days, we now bend the knees of our hearts, asking God to strengthen us for “usual” life – and recalling that the strength to do so comes from Him.

But we still always have a choice. For us, the great Hymn to the Holy Spirit – “O Heavenly King…come and abide in us…” – can become rote petition, when it should be a daily call to live as the Apostles lived after they received the fiery tongues.  Let it always bring to mind that the Holy Spirit is ever present with us, every active and filling us with His Grace, and bringing us to awareness of God.

The life experienced by the apostles is offered to us as well. Will we stick with “rote religion,” or accept the powerful life God gives us through His Most Holy Spirit? Will we accept the Holy Spirit into our lives mindlessly, or will we boldly reclaim and delight in the life the Spirit rightfully and generously gives us, the life in which the Name of the Lord is proclaimed and souls are converted to New Life?

Pope Shenouda, the recently-departed head of the Coptic Orthodox Church, once urged Christians not to seek the “powerful” gifts of the Spirit – tongues, healings, etc. “These” he said, “can lead one to pride. Rather, seek the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, and self-control. These,” he added, “lead to holiness.” Against these, says Saint Paul by contrast to the works of the flesh, there is no law.

And so, having seen the True Light, having received the Heavenly Spirit, having found the true faith, and emboldened with humility, may God grant us the ability to ‘transform the smallest, seemingly most insignificant detail of the routine drudgery of every day life in this fallen world into paradise by means of His great gift of grace. And may He continue to send us into the world to share His saving Gospel with all who would receive it in anticipation of the life of the world to come, yet to be fully revealed, but already fully present in the life of the Church.

With love in our Christ,

SIGNATURE
+JONAH
Archbishop of Washington
Metropolitan of All America and Canada

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March for Life

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March for Life

As reported earlier on oca.org, His Beatitude, Metropolitan Jonah offered the opening prayer during the program that preceded the March for Life here on Monday, January 23, 2012.

“Roman Catholic Cardinal Daniel DiNardo, who is in charge of pro-life activities, invited the Orthodox bishops to stand together with the Roman Bishops, as we are of one mind in regards to Life, and for us to begin to alternate giving the opening prayer for the March,” Metropolitan Jonah said, reflecting on the March. “This year, they gave the honor to me to bless the opening of the March for Life on their behalf, as well as on behalf of the Orthodox. With me at that podium, at my request, was Cardinal-elect Archbishop Timothy Dolan of New York.

“This is a significant ecumenical event, a strong gesture of unity, and a great symbol of the respect of the Roman Catholic Church for the Orthodox Church in America,” Metropolitan Jonah continued. “We are of one mind in opposition to abortion as a fundamental doctrinal and moral position, in accordance with the ancient Tradition of the undivided orthodox catholic Church.”

The text of Metropolitan Jonah’s prayer reads as follows.

“Holy Father, our Creator, Savior, Redeemer and our God, Light and Life of the World, Who didst show Thine infinite love for mankind by sending Thine Only-begotten Son into the world to take our flesh and be born as an infant of the Blessed Virgin Mary, becoming all that we are in order to liken us to Himself; Who, through Thy servant Moses didst set before thy people two ways: the way of life and the way of death, and didst not only call us to life, but freely gavest it to us; Who, speaking to Thy servant the Prophet Jeremiah, dost remind us that Thou knowest each of us even from our mother’s womb; Who Himself was born in poverty and laid in manger, taking the form of a servant; Who didst hear the lament of Rachel weeping for her children, for they were no more; Who didst proclaim to Thy disciples that unless one receives Thy Kingdom like a child, one cannot enter it:

“Visit us on this solemn day, a day on which we beg thine infinite mercy for the atrocities we allow in the killing of children in the womb; a day on which we gather to bear witness to the Sanctity of all human life from cradle to grave; a day on which we bear witness together to the value of each human person; a day on which we offer to Thee for Thy blessing, and to the world as a sign, our witness to Thine infinite goodness and charity, even to us who daily neglect the life which Thou dost give us, even unto killing and death:

“Remember not our negligence and sin. Remember not our failure to be doers of the word and not hearers only. Remember not our hypocrisy, external zeal matched only with practical inaction to assist those who fall prey to the despair and hopelessness of abortion.

“Accept, O Lord, the repentance of us who have sinned, and heal our souls. Accept, O Lord, the grief of mothers who have aborted their children as a cry of repentance. Accept, O Lord, the bitter sorrow of regret as the broken heart thou dost not despise.

“We offer this sign of our visible unity, standing together in unity of mind, with a contrite heart and broken spirit. We offer our repentance, however we have sinned, for all have sinned and fall short, and thus none of us can judge or condemn. We offer our compassion for those in grief, in guilt and despair.

“We pray that Thou will receive us as Thou didst the prodigal, with open arms of forgiveness; and the woman who had sinned, whom Thou didst not condemn.

“We beseech Thee, O Lord, to enlighten those lost in the darkness of insensitivity. Transform the minds and hearts of those hardened in bitterness. Give hope, O Lord, to those immersed in despair. As Thou art Good and the only lover of mankind, visit us with Thine infinite compassion. Create in each of us, and in our nation, a new heart, taking not Thy Holy Spirit from us, and restore unto us the joy of life and of Thy salvation. Cleanse and redeem us by Thy precious Blood, shed for the life of the world. Caste us not off, neither turn Thy face away from us, but receive us in repentance according to Thy mercy, for we earnestly repent and with the necks of our souls bowed, we turn ourselves to Thee!

“For Thou art the Giver of Life and the Savior of our souls, and unto Thee we ascribe glory, to the Father Who is without beginning, Thine Only-begotten Son, and Thy most holy, good, and life-giving Spirit, always, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.”

The pre-March program and the March itself was broadcast live on the Eternal Word Television Network [EWTN], which will rebroadcast its extensive coverage at 2:00 p.m. ET on Saturday, January 28. Please check local listings for possible variations.

Source:OCA

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OCA – Headline News – Strong Orthodox Christian presence at annual DC March for Life

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WASHINGTON, DC [OCA]

March for Life

His Beatitude, Metropolitan Jonah, together with Their Graces, Bishops Tikhon of Philadelphia and Eastern Pennsylvania, Melchisedek of Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania, Michael of New York and New Jersey, and Matthias of Chicago and the Midwest led hundreds of Orthodox Christian clergy, faithful, and seminarians at the 39th annual March for Life here Monday, January 23, 2012.

According to Archpriest John Kowalczyk, a pro-life activist and co-founder of the Orthodox Presence at the annual gathering, “this was the biggest Orthodox participation ever in the history of the March.”

Metropolitan Jonah spoke at the pre-March program and offered prayers for the opening invocation. At the conclusion of every petition, thousands responded with a heartfelt and enthusiastic “Lord, have mercy!”  Marchers then proceeded up Constitution Avenue to the US Supreme Court, where a Memorial was celebrated for the victims of abortion.

The March was broadcast live on the Eternal Word Television Network [EWTN], which will rebroadcast it’s extensive coverage at 2:00 p.m. ET on Saturday, January 28.  Check local listings for possible variations.

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Archpastoral Message of His Beatitude, Metropolitan Jonah

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To the Very Reverend and Reverend Clergy, Venerable Monastics, and God-fearing Faithful of the Orthodox Church in America:

The new year arrives at the great meeting point of the Old and New Covenants. Throughout December, the Church bade us remember the righteous and prophets of the Old Covenant, beginning with Nahum, Habbakuk, and Zephaniah, continuing with Haggai, Daniel, and the Three Youths, and culminating with the two Sundays before the Nativity, the memory of that long and great ancestry of our Savior according to the flesh.

That for which the prophets kept vigil was experienced and proclaimed by the fathers and monks celebrated throughout January: beginning today with St. Basil, throughout this month we remember a throng of holy theologians and monastics: Gregory the Theologian and John Chrysostom, Athanasius and Cyril, Gregory of Nyssa, Maximus the Confessor, Mark of Ephesus, and Ephrem the Syrian, as well as Venerable Seraphim of Sarov, Theophan the Recluse, Paul of Thebes, Theodosius and Euthymius, Anthony and Macarius, and Isaac the Syrian.

Thus, December brought us the Prophets as an icon of mankind awaiting redemption, while January presents to us the holy Fathers and venerable Monastics as an icon of mankind responding to the redemption wrought through the Flesh of the eternal Word of God.

Christ has come in the flesh! This requires of us also a categorical response. The saints show us what this response must look like.

The prophets who awaited His coming are our models of watchfulness: they were ready at any time for the visitation of the grace of God. The fathers who expressed this mystery in carefully chosen words give us an example of intellectual honesty: nothing could induce them to waver from the truth that God revealed to them. The monastics who abandoned everything in pursuit of Christ show us an image of detachment: no one but the Lord could occupy the throne of their heart. Continue reading →

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Holy Synod of Bishops expresses solidarity with Coptic Church

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SYOSSET, NY [OCA]

The witness and mission of the Coptic Church in Egypt have their origin in apostolic times.  Today, the Coptic Church of Egypt is the largest Christian Church in the Middle East.  Under the leadership of His Holiness, Pope Shenouda, the Coptic Church is a dynamic and active Church, with significant and effective work in education, youth work, and social work.

While the Coptic Church has experienced limitations to its work in the context of the Muslim majority of Egypt, the present time presents special challenges.  In the midst of the changes in Egyptian political life during the last months, some of which are positive, there are aspects of current developments which make the Coptic Church vulnerable to discrimination and even violence.

For this reason, the Lesser Synod of the Orthodox Church in America, under the chairmanship of His Beatitude Metropolitan Jonah, has issued a Statement of Support for the Coptic Church of Egypt.  This statement will be sent to the Embassy of Egypt in Washington, DC, to the Egyptian Mission to the United Nations, and to government authorities in Egypt.  In addition, the statement will be shared with President Barack Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

The text of the statement reads as follows. Continue reading →

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Archpastoral Message of His Beatitude, Metropolitan Jonah: Nativity of Christ, 2011

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Nativity Icon

To the Very Reverend and Reverend Clergy, Monastics, and Faithful of The Orthodox Church in America.

Dearly beloved in the Lord,

Christ is Born!

I greet you with the love, joy and hope that is so graciously granted to us with the Incarnation of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Today, we celebrate the “Winter Pascha,” proclaiming that God is indeed with us! Today, the only-begotten Son of God takes on our human nature, enabling us to become partakers of His divine nature. Today, the Law and the Prophets are fulfilled as, in the “fullness of time,” the long-awaited Messiah ushers in that peace which is beyond all understanding!

And today, we celebrate that for which we have prepared during the Nativity Fast. Our fasting, intensified prayer, and almsgiving find their meaning and fulfillment in the Mystery of the Incarnation: All that we have is a gift from God, given to us as faithful stewards, that we might proclaim God’s very presence in our midst. Our calling is to “incarnate” the Incarnate Word into our lives, our actions, our very being, at all times, and in everything we do. This, to be sure, is not easy. The world will challenge those who embrace “The Way” at every turn. Yet, it is the world that, in its self-proclaimed emptiness, precisely reveals its thirst for “something more,” a “sign” or “reality” that gives meaning to life beyond the superficial trappings of the “holiday season.”

In rendering thanks to God for His manifest love for His People, and in strengthening ourselves to proclaim the Incarnation in our lives, it is crucial for every member of the Church to discern his or her gifts and to employ them for the building up of the Body of Christ. How? One of the Nativity hymns gives us a clue.

What shall we offer Thee, O Christ, Who for our sake has appeared on earth as man?Every creature which Thou hast made offers thanks.The angels offer Thee a song. The heavens, their star. The wise men, their gifts. The shepherds, their wonder.The earth, its cave. The wilderness, the manger.And we offer Thee a Virgin Mother!

It is the Mother of God, the Theotokos, who is the very model of stewardship, of discernment, of embracing all that the heavenly Father called her to do. Where the first Eve said “no” to God, she responded positively. And in so doing, she embraced all that her Son accomplished by His birth in time and space, becoming an example for us.

As we continue our celebration, let not our faith be “shelved” with our ornaments and seasonal decorations. Let not the flame of our commitment wax cold. Let not our devotion to serving the Incarnate Word, even as His Mother served Him. May the grace and peace from above, so abundantly given by our all-merciful Savior, remain with us throughout this most glorious feast, and be strengthened within us in the days, weeks and months beyond!

Let us glorify Him!
Faithfully yours in Christ,

SIGNATURE
+JONAH
Archbishop of Washington
Metropolitan of All America and Canada

Source: OCA

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