(Photo of His Beatitude Metropolitan Volodymyr of the Italian Autocephalous Orthodox Church Archdiocese of San Julio Island & Metropolia of Classis-Ravenna)
October 18, 2014 - Milwaukee, WI. On October 18, 2014, the Holy Synod of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in America voted unanimously to enter into full Eucharistic intercommunion with the Italian Autocephalous Orthodox Church Archdiocese of San Julio Island & Metropolia of Classis-Ravenna, headed by His Beatitude Metropolitan Volodymyr. We also welcome the Hierarchs of our sister Church: His Eminence Metropolitan Alexandros, His Eminence Metropolitan Anthony (Bondi), His Eminence Metropolitan Timotheos, His Grace Bishop Michael and its priests, deacons and people.
The Italian Autocephalous Orthodox Church has a presence in Denver, CO, New York and San Antonio, TX.
July 1, 2014 - Champagne-Urbana, Illinois. Congratulations to Brandon Fox, son of Abbot Theofan Fox on having graduated from the Police Academy, Shampagne-Urbana, IL. Officer Fox has already commenced his duties with a local Illinois police department. Brandon had served on two missions in Afghanistan prior to his discharge from the Armed Forces of the USA.
June 28, 2014 - Kyiv, Ukraine. It is with the deepest sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved brother, Father Valeriy Hrishchenko, priest of our Archdiocese of Kyiv, Ukraine. Father Valeriy died as the result of an accidental fall, leaving behind his loving wife, two children and his brother priests, deacons and people who loved him dearly. Fr. Valeriy was only 48 years of age. May Father Valeriy’s memory be eternal (Вічная Пам’ять)! Царство йому нeбeснe!
June 12, 2014 - Phoenix, AZ. Hieromonk Meinrad (Hart) has been incardinated into the Diocese of Arizona and the West by His Grace Vladyka Gregory (Menke) in consultation with His Beatitude Metropolitan Ioan. After several decades of ministry dedicated to helping the poor and marginalized, Father Meinrad has chosen to live a more solitary life of prayer and will be attached to the Skete of the Holy Theotokos in Phoenix. We welcome Father Meinrad and wish him many happy years and ask him to remember all of us in his prayers!
May 11, 2014 - Phoenix, AZ. Vladyka Gregory (Menke) and Hieromonk Seraphim honored the mothers of the Monastic Parish of the Holy Theotokos during the celebration of the Divine Liturgy and the fellowship which followed the Liturgy.
April 20, 2014 - Milwaukee, WI. Mitred Archpriest Oleksandr Sys, assisted by Fr. Archdeacon Sergiy (Larin) blessed the food baskets of monastic parishioners after concelebrating the Paschal Hierarchical Divine Liturgy with His Beatitude Metropolitan Ioan.
March 19, 2014 - Milwaukee, WI. Father Deacon Gregory Chwastiak (pictured above with Mitred Archpriest George Drozdowski) has petitioned and has been incardinated into the Archdiocese of the USA and Canada of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in America by His Beatitude Metropolitan Ioan. Fr. Deacon Gregory was ordained in 1987 by now Metropolitan Hilarion of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia (ROCOR). Fr. Gregory has been assigned to serve the parish community of SS. Peter and Paul, Cape May Court House, NJ with Mitred Archpriest George Drozdowski, Pastor. We wish Fr. Deacon Gregory and his family many happy years!
March 8, 2014 - New South Wales, Australia. It is with great sadness that we have learned of the passing to eternal life of our dear brother, Metropolitan Archbishop of Australasia, His Beatitude Metropolitan David-Francis (Corbett) earlier this morning. Father Nicholas wrote: "His Beatitude was surrounded by family and dear friends when he passed, and only moments before his final breath, he opened his eyes and saw the outpouring of love from his loved ones, and then it was time for our Blessed Lord to take him.” Funeral arrangements are pending. May the memory of our beloved Vladyka David-Francis be eternal!
March 2, 2014 - Nokomis, IL. Abbot Theophan expresses the sentiment of all the monastics, clergy and people of our jurisdiction at this most ominous of times for the people of Ukraine. During the holy season of Great Lent, let us pray for peace and the conversion of hearts which only the Lord can give.
February 22, 2014 - Ukraine. In memory of our fallen heros who have given their lives during the bloody revolution in their beloved Ukraine. They made their lives the ultimate sacrifice for the freedom of their Motherland, and they remain in our hearts and our prayers forever. ETERNAL MEMORY. ВІЧНАЯ ПАМ’ЯТЬ.
Мамо, не плач. Я повернусь весною. У шибку пташинкою вдарюсь твою. Прийду на світанні в садок із росою, А, може, дощем на поріг упаду…. Mother dearest, do not cry. I will come back in Spring. As a bird, I will knock on your window. I will come at sunrise to your garden like dew, and maybe I will fall as rain on your doorstep….
February 1, 2014 - Milwaukee, WI. Our dear Mitred Archpriest Oleksandr Sys officiated at the Service of Crowning/Service of Marriage for his daughter, Nadiya Sys and son-in-law, Noe Lopez. We wish the happy newlyweds a life filled with love and fulfillment. May their every prayer be answered and their every dream come true. Mnohaja i blahaya lita, Nadiya and Noe - МНОГАЯ И БЛАГАЯ літа ВАМ! We hope you enjoy the singing of the Ukrainian Bandurist Choir & Hoosli Ukrainian Male Chorus:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QBYTG0r2nD8.
January 24, 2014 - Nokomis, IL. Abbot Theophan (Fox) sends greetings from the bitter-cold “cornfields” as he prepares to celebrate the Feast of St. Xenia, patron of the monastic chapel at Solus Christi Skete of the Holy Apostles in Nokomis, IL. After her husband’s death, Blessed Mother Xenia distributed all her money and property among the poor and is known for her intercessions in helping those with employment problems, marriage, the homeless, for fires and for missing children. We wish Abbot Theophan and the people of Nokomis a blessed Feast of St. Xenia.
January 19, 2014 - Kyiv, Ukraine. Fr. Deacon Mykolay, Mitred Archpriest Valentyn (Soroka), Apostolic Administrator of the Archdiocese of Ukraine, and Fr. Vitaliy celebrated the Feast of Theophany of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ with our faithful of our Cathedral Parish of the Icon of Christ Not Made by Human Hands in Kyiv, Ukraine.