NEWS 2006
Columbia - December 7 thru 20, 2006. Vladyka Chrysostomos, accompanied by Archdeacon Nicolas and Sister Mariamne and Sister Veronica, recently completed his sixth pastoral visit to the Diocese of Columbia, during which time he visited with local clergy and received and chrismated many converts into Orthodoxy and our blessed jurisdiction.
Milwaukee, WI - December 9, 2006. During the Divine Liturgy on the Feast of the Maternity of St. Anne (New Style), Fr. Deacon Pete Fox was ordained to the Holy Priesthood for service in the Archdiocese of the United States by His Beatitude Prime Bishop Vladyka Ioan. The ordination was celebrated at the Chapel of the Holy Resurrection of Solus Christi Brothers Skete. Father Pete will continue his ministry to AIDS patients and their families and will serve as Pastor of the Church of the Holy Apostles, Nokomis, Illinois.Our warmest fraternal congratulations and prayers go to Father Pete and his family. Mnohaya lita!
Ternopil, Ukraine - November 18, 2006. Metropolitan Archbishop Venedykt of our Archdiocese of Russia and Abbess Maniefa, accompanied by Archpriest Valentyn Soroka from Kyiv, recently visited Archbishop Vsevolod. All visited our newest parish (shown above) in the Ternopil Region and its pastor. Currently, plans are in progress to attach a monastic community (a dependency of Solus Christi Brothers) of women to the parish.
OFFICIAL NOTICE
Milwaukee, WI - October 31, 2006. By virtue of Ukase 2506, signed by His Beatitude Metropolitan Prime Bishop Vladyka Ioan on the Feast of the Evangelist Luke (Old Style), His Excellency Archbishop Spyridon Babsky, Archbishop of Luts'k - Volyn, Ukraine, has been assigned to the faculty of our jurisdiction's International Seminary of St. Basil, Quito, Ecuador, effective immediately. Archbishop Spyridon Babsky will serve on the faculty of St. Basil's Seminary as professor of Liturgy and Ukrainian Spirituality. Initially, this assignment will be for a period of two years, during which time Archbishop Spyridon will remain a member of the Holy Synod of the Archdiocese of Ukraine and as pastor of the Cathedral of St. Michael, Luts'k, Ukraine. Father Volodymyr Markiewich of the Archdiocese of Luts'k - Volyn, Ukraine, is hereby assigned as Administrator of the Cathedral Parish of St. Michael the Archangel during the period of Archbishop Spyridon's absence/tenure at the Seminary of St. Basil. Fr. Archdeacon Sergiy Larin, Chancellor.
Quito, Ecuador - October 22, 2006. After enjoying a day of retreat with their classmates and the Sisters at the Schoenstatt residence in Quito (photo left), seminarians Monk Estaban and Samuel were ordained to theminor orders of Reader (center photo) and Subdeacon (photo right) by His Excellency Vladyka Chrysostomos, Major Archbishop of Ecuador, Central and South America.
OFFICIAL NOTICE
Milwaukee, WI - October 17, 2002. Vladyka Ioan, Major Archbishop of the United States, has formally erected the Parish of SS. Peter & Paul, Cape May Court House, New Jersey, and has appointed the Very Rev. Mitred Archpriest George Drozdowski as Pastor of the newly established parish. Fr. Archdeacon Sergiy Larin, Chancellor Archdiocese of the United States.
Milwaukee, WI - October 15, 2006. Very Rev. Mitred Archpriest Clifton Ransom, JD, Judicial Vicar, and his wife, Pani Matka Dorothy, arrived in Milwaukee from Houston, TX and visited with Vladyka Ioan and Fr. Archdeacon Sergiy at Solus Christi Skete. Fr. Clifton Ransom concelebrated the Divine Liturgy with Vladyka Ioan, after which the new iconostas at the Skete was consecrated by Vladyka Ioan. Also pictured are Vitalek and Marika, friends of Solus Christi Skete and parishioners of our Holy Resurrection Parish, Milwaukee, who also attended the ceremony of consecration.
Ternopil', Ukraine - October 5, 2006. Seminarian Artur Tverdun was tonsured, ordained and vested to the minor order of Reader by Vladyka Vsevolod, Archbishop of Ternopil' - Bukovyna, during the Divine Liturgy at our Cathedral on August 23, 2006. Seminarian Artur Tverdun will be ordained to the subdiaconate this winter by Metropolitan Prime Bishop Vladyka Ioan. Reader Artur is currently pursuing his undergraduate studies in Ukraine, after which he will continue with his theological studies. MNOHAYA LITA, READER ARTUR!
Columbia - September 9 thru 19, 2006. Vladyka Chrysostomos, Major Archbishop of Ecuador, Central & South America, accompanied by Sister Veronica, Sister Marianne and Hierodeacon Nicolas, made a pastoral visit to our people, parishes and clergy in Columbia. They were greeted and received by Father Hieromonk Eliseo, MD, Vicar General for Columbia. Vladyka Chrysostomos returned home to Ecuador in time to celebrate his birthday on September 20. Mnohaya lita, dearest Vladyka Chrysostomos!
Ternopil, Ukraine - August 23, 2006. Archbishop Vsevolod Kucherhin and his people and clergy celebrated the Feast of the Dormition at our Cathedral in Ukraine. Mitred Archpriest Valentyn also made the journey from Kyiv to share this special moment with newly-elevated Archbishop Vsevolod.
Quito, Ecuador - August 12, 2006. Vladyka Chrysostomos, Major Archbishop of Ecuador, Central & South America, received the monastic profession and tonsured Estaban, one of our jurisdiction's seminarians. Estaban, pictured with his seminary classmates and Sister Mariana and Sister Veronica, will continue his studies at St. Basil Seminary, Quito, in preparation for Holy Orders. MNOHAYA LITA, DEAREST BROTHER ESTABAN!
Coleman, MI - August 6, 2006. On the Feast of the Transfiguration of our Lord, Metropolitan Vladyka Ioan, assisted by Archdeacon Sergiy Larin (center rear), blessed the church at the Coleman monasteries as Holy Trinity Pro-Cathedral which will serve as the temporary cathedral for the Archdiocese of the United States, until the new cathedral building planned to be built in Milwaukee is a reality. Vladyka Ioan was assisted by Archbishop Vsevolod (Archdiocese of Ternopil' - Bukovyna, Ukraine (seated front row left) and Bishop Martin (Bishop of the Midwest, USA & Abbot of Most Blessed Sacrament Western Rite Monastery).
Coleman, MI - August 5, 2006. During the Divine Liturgy celebrating the anniversary of our blessed jurisdiction, Metropolitan Vladyka Ioan raised the Diocese of Ternopil - Bukovyna to the dignity of an Archdiocese and blessed Vladyka Vsevolod Kocherhin, D.D. as Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Ternopil - Bukovyna. Pictured to the right are Bishop Martin, Abbot Bishop of the Western Rite Monastery of Our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament and Bishop of the Midwest, Metropolitan Prime Bishop Vladyka Ioan, Archbishop Vsevolod and Father Marian Bellin, Abbot of the Eastern Rite Monastery of SS. Cyril and Methodius.
Kyiv, Ukraine - August 4 - 11, 2006. On August 4, 2006, His Beatitude Metropolitan Venydykt of the Archdiocese of the Russian True Orthodox Church of the Autonomous Ukrainian Orthodox Church in America), together with Ihumena (Abbotess) Manefa, arrived in Kyiv and were greeted by Mitred Archpriest Valentyn Soroka, Apostolic Administrator of Kyiv. They were joined by Nina Prokofyvna, President of the Church Council (Archdiocese of the Russian True Orthodox Church) and Vera Vyachyslavyvna. During the visit, both Metropolitan Venydykt and Ihumena Manefa appeared on local television in Kyiv and visited the Lavra in Kyiv. On August 5, Metropolitan Venydykt and Mitred Archpriest Valentyn led the Liturgy in celebration of the anniversary of our jurisdiction. From August 7 through 9, all travelled to Odessa to visit Vladyka Luka, our Archbishop of Odessa.
Milwaukee, WI - August 2, 2006. Vladyka Vsevolod (Archbishop of Ternopil' - Bukovyna, Ukraine) and Vladyka Ioan (Archbishop of the United States), assisted by Archdeacon Sergiy Larin, baptized-chrismated baby Maksym, the first baptism in the newly forming Parish of the Holy Resurrection in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Baby Maksym is seen being held by his Godparents, Rzenni and Vitaliy, during the exorcism (photo left) and being immersed and baptized by Vladyka Vsevolod and Vladyka Ioan (photo center). In the photo to the right, Vladyka Vsevolod, assisted by Archdeacon Sergiy Larin, tonsures Baby Maksym while Vladyka Ioan recites the prayers. The baptism was celebrated at the home of Maksym's parents, Lesya and Ihor. Mnohaya lita to our beloved new Orthodox Christian Maksym!
Quito, Ecuador - July 18, 2006. Major Archbishop of Ecuador, Central & South America, His Excellency Chrysostomos, was invited by Ambassador to Egypt Mrs. Suzanne Gamil to attend a local celebration of the national holiday. Also pictured with Vladyka Chrysostomos are: Sheik Juan Suquillo, Mr. Daniel Sabban (Ambassador to Israel), Mr. Mohammed Sabbah, Mrs. Leyla de Suquillo (Secretary to the Ambassador to Israel) and her sons.
Stafford, TX - July 10, 2006. Patriarch His All Holiness, Baselios Marthoma Didymos I, 93rd successor to the Apostle Saint Thomas, and head of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church, based in India, established in the year, 52 AD, recently made his first pastoral visit to the United States since ascending the Throne of St. Thomas in 2005. Complete information is available at the Church's web site, www.orthodoxsyrianchurch.com. He visited several parishes in the Houston area, and celebrations were held in his honor at each. He presided at a vesper service at St. Thomas Indian Orthodox Church located in Stafford Texas, where our Judicial Vicar, Mitred Archpriest Clifton Ransom, JD [top row, third from right] and his wife, Dorothy, attended as invited guests representing the Autonomous Ukrainian Orthodox Church in America. Fr. Clifton Ransom and Pani Matka Dorothy later attended a reception for Marthoma in the Church Hall, where they were platform guests. The final event of the evening was a celebration of a hierarchal liturgy in the presence of the Marthoma, celebrated by Metropolitan Archbishop Mar Matthews Barnibas of New York, which they also attended. Among the invited platform guests were local mayors, state representatives and city councilmen, as well as visiting local clergy.
Quito, Ecuador. July 1, 2006. - On June 29, the feast of SS. Peter and Paul, some of the seminarians enrolled at St. Basil's Seminary gathered together for the first time. Pictured are: Samuel, Bartolomé, Esteban, Sebastián, Esteban, Fr. Archdeacon Nicolas, Archbishop Chrysostomos, Fr. Deacon Iannis, Jhon, Daniel, Ramon, Alexander. All will commence studies on July, together with the other students enrolled at our seminary. May the Holy Spirit guide and inspire these young men on their journey toward service to our Lord, the Church, our blessed jurisdiction and the People of God.
Chicago, IL - June 29, 2006. Vladyka Vsevolod and Fr. Archpriest Valentyn Soroka arrived at Chicago's O'Hare Airport from Ternopil' and Kyiv, respectively, to begin an extensive visit with Vladyka Ioan and Fr. Archdeacon Sergiy Larin at Solus Christi Skete in Milwaukee, WI to discuss future plans for the growth of the Archdiocese of Ukraine. On Saturday, Vladyka Ioan, Bishop Vsevolod, Fr. Valentyn and Fr. Archdeacon Sergiy celebrated a Panakhyda for all the deceased of our jurisdiction and their relatives. Vladyka Vsevolod and Fr. Valentyn will also spend time at our monasteries in Coleman, MI with Vladyka Martin and Fr. Abbot Marian evaluating the feasibility of bringing monks from Ukraine to share in the life of both monasteries.
Bogota, Columbia - June 14 - 26, 2006. During his pastoral visit to Columbia, Major Archbishop Chrysostomos of Ecuador, Central & South America, ordained Father Deacon Eliseo, MD, to the priesthood (left), Subdeacon Hernan Salinas to the diaconate (center), and received, by chrismation, 64 new parishioners into Orthodoxy and in to the Autonomous Ukrainian Orthodox Church in America.
OFFICIAL NOTICE
Milwaukee, WI - June 17, 2006. The petition of His Eminence Archbishop Vasilii [Oleh] Babsky, D.D., Archbishop of Lutsk-Volyn, Ukraine, to change and return to the name "Spyridon" has been received by His Beatitude Vladyka Ioan. After a review of this Petition, and based on the fact that the name of Spyridon had been given to Archbishop Vasilii at the time of his ordination to the episcopate on June 6, 1992 by Patriarch Filaret Denysensko [Kyiv Patriarchate] and Metropolitan Yakov Panchuk [Kyiv Patriarchate], Vladyka Ioan, after consultation with the Prime Bishop's Council, hereby grants this request, effective immediately. His Eminence Wasilii Babsky shall henceforth be known as Archbishop Spyridon Babsky, D.D. Fr. Archdeacon Sergiy, Chancellor and Secretary of the Holy Synod of Bishops.
Ternopil', Ukraine - June 13, 2006. During the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy which began the Holy Synod of Bishops of the Archdiocese of Ukraine, Subdeacon Yuri Filipchuk was ordained to the diaconate for our Diocese of Ternopil'-Bukovyna by Metropolitan Venydykt, Metropolitan Archbishop of our Archdiocese of the Russian True Orthodox Church - AUOCA who was present for the Synod. Our heartfelt congratulations go out to our new Father Deacon Yuri Filipchuk and to his beloved family.
Ternopil', Ukraine - June 13, 2006. The Synod of Bishops of the Archdiocese of Ukraine met at the Cathedral Parish of Bishop Vsevolod near Ternopil', Ukraine. The Synod was a true celebration with a remarkable near-2000 faithful attending and celebrating with our Bishops, priests and deacons. The Synod also marked the formal welcome, into our jurisdiction, of Metropolitan Venedykt, Archbishop Luka and Archbishop Rostyslav of our Archdiocese of the Russian True Orthodox Church of the Autonomous Ukrainian Orthodox Church in America. Pictured above are the members of the Holy Synod along with priests and deacons who attended, and to the left are Archbishop Spyridon, Metropolitan Venedykt and Bishop Vsevolod
concelebrating during the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy which opened the Holy Synod, the procession to the Cathedral, along with a photo of some of our most beloved Faithful. Of course, in true Ukrainian fashion, after the Divine Liturgy and Synod, a picnic was held to celebrate the Holy Synod [top row of photos].
Milwaukee, WI - June 7, 2006. His Beatitude Metropolitan Ioan has formally incardinated the Very Reverend Mitred Archpriest George Drozdowski into the Autonomous Ukrainian Orthodox Church in America, Archdiocese of the United States. Archpriest George Drozdowski was ordained to the diaconate and priesthood in the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia (ROCOR) and served, for a period of time, at the Cathedral of St. Cyril of Turau (Belarusian Autocephalous Orthodox Church), Brooklyn, NY. Fr. George and his dear wife Lisa currently reside in New Jersey where Fr. George will begin his priestly ministry as a priest of the Autonomous Ukrainian Orthodox Church in America. Fr. Archdeacon Sergiy, Chancellor, Archdiocese of the United States.
Milwaukee - June 6, 2006. In compliance with the unanimous decision of the Holy Synod of Bishops of April 2, 2006, Metropolitan Prime Bishop Vladyka Ioan incardinated His Beatitude Metropolitan Venedykt [above left], his clergy, people and monastics, and appointed His Beatitude Metropolitan Venedykt as Metropolitan Archbishop of Russia and Kazan of the Russian True Orthodox Archeparchy of the AUOCA. Also incardinated were Archbishop Rostyslav [above center] who has been appointed Archbishop of Kamsky of the Russian True Orthodox Archeparchy of the AUOCA and Archbishop Luka [above right] who has been appointed Archbishop of Odesa of the Russian True Orthodox Archeparchy of the AUOCA. The Apostolic Succession of the three newly incardinated Hierarchs comes from Metropolitan Mefodiy Kudriakov of the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church. MNOHAJA LITA to our newly incardinated Brothers, priests, deacons, monastics and people. Fr. Archdeacon Sergiy, Secretary of the Holy Synod.
Milwaukee - On June 3, 2006, the Most Reverend David-Francis Corbett, D.D. of Malta, was incardinated by Metropolitan Prime Bishop Ioan in accordance with Article VI, Section 9(g) of the Statutes of the Autonomous Ukrainian Orthodox Church in America and the recommendation of the Holy Synod of Bishops of the Autonomous Ukrainian Orthodox Church in America dated June 3, 2006. A native son of New Zealand, Archbishop David-Francis has been named Archbishop of Malta and locum tenens of Australia for the period specified by the Synod of Bishops and will continue to serve as Magisterial Grand Prelate for the Byzantine Order of the Holy Sepulchre. May the Lord bless and keep our new Archbishop David-Francis. Fr. Archdeacon Sergiy, Chancellor.
Quito, Ecuador -- May 25, 2006. Above are photos of the St. Basil Center near Quito which is now being remodelled and prepared to serve as the seminary and training facility for the Archdiocese of Ecuador, Central and South America of our jurisdiction. The St. Basil Center will officially open on July 1, 2006 with 17 student priests and is the product of the hard work of Archbishop Chrysostomos, Fr. Archdeacon Nicolas and Fr. Deacon Iannis. More photos will follow in the next couple months.
Kyiv, Ukraine -- May 2006. Metropolitan Benedict of Kazan [left] and Bishop Vsevolod of Ternopil' recently appeared on national TV in Ukraine [Channel 7] to discuss the essence of Orthodoxy, Orthodox spirituality and life with Host, Olena Katkova. The interview was broadcast throughout Ukraine with several runs. In the photo to the right, Mitred Archpriest Valentyn Soroka, Apostolic Administrator of Kyiv, who oversaw the project, is pictured with the entire crew.
Lutsk, Ukraine - May 7, 2006. Congratulations to Vladyka Spyridon, Archbishop of Lutsk - Volyn', who celebrated the twenty-fifth anniversary of his priestly ordination. Vladyka Spyridon (co-consecrator of Vladyka Ioan, Vladyka Chrysostomos and Vladyka Vsevolod) was ordained a bishop on June 6, 1992 by Patriarch Filaret Denysenko assisted by Metropolitan Yakiv Pinchuk). There will be an official celebration marking Vladyka Spyridon's anniversary in June at the Cathedral in Lutsk. MNOHAJA LITA to our beloved brother and shepherd.
Phoenix, AZ -- April 16, 2006. Paschal greetings Vladyka Gregory and his parishioners who are pictured above celebrating Pascha in the warmth of Arizona. The community of St. Gregory celebrated the Divine and Liturgy and afterward shared in the spirit of fraternity.
Pflugerville, TX - March 30 to April 3, 2006. The first Holy Synod of the Autonomous Ukrainian Orthodox Church in America was held at the Cathedral of St. Augustine, Pflugerville, TX. Clergy in attendance, and pictured from left to right are: Fr. Jerry Galaviz (Western Rite Metropolia), Mitred Archpriest Clifton Ransom, JD (USA), Mitred Archpriest Valentyn Soroka, D.Min (Ukraine), Fr. Ihumen Marian Bellin (USA), Bishop Martin de Porres, D.D. (USA), Bishop Gregory Menke, D.D. (USA), Major Archbishop Andre, Metropolitan Ioan, Ph.D, D.D. (Prime Bishop), Metropolitan Thomas Logue, D.D. (Western Rite Metropolia and host of the Holy Synod), Major Archbishop Chrysostomos, D.D. (Ecuador & Central & South America), Bishop Daniil Kudybyn, D.D. (Ukraine), Bishop Vsevolod Kucherhyn, D.D. (Ukraine), Fr. George Wood (Western Rite Metropolia), Fr. Archdeacon Sergiy Larin, MD (Chancellor of the Holy Synod/USA), Fr. Archdeacon Bob Bugnand (Western Rite Metropolia and organizer for the Holy Synod). Taking the photo was Fr. Archdeacon Nicolas (Ecuador).
Pflugerville, TX - April 1, 2006. Fr. Archdeacon Marian Bellin was ordained to the Holy Priesthood by Metropolitan Prime Bishop Ioan [photo on left] during the Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom celebrated during the Holy Synod. MANY HAPPY YEARS to our dear brother, Father Marian. Fr. Marian was subsequently blessed as an Ihumen [Abbot] by Vladyka Ioan on April 2, 2006 [photo on right] and will serve as Ihumen/Abbot of the Eastern Rite Monastery of SS. Cyril & Methodius, Coleman, MI.
Pflugerville, TX - March 30 to April 3, 2006. Pictured from left to right are: Fr. Archdeacon Nicolas (Ecuador), Fr. Archdeacon Sergiy Larin, MD (USA) and Fr. Archdeacon Bob Bugnand (Western Rite Metropolia), who were the heart-and-soul of our First Holy Synod and without whose wisdom and selfless giving the Synod could not have been the success that it was. Fr. Archdeacon Nicolas prepared and directed all the liturgical and para-liturgical services; Fr. Archdeacon Sergiy served as translator during the entire Synod and Fr. Archdeacon Bob organized all the arrangments and transportation for everyone. In the photo to the right, Fr. Archdeacon Sergiy Larin is shown leading a Moleben to the Theotokos in Ukrainian during the Holy Synod. MAY THE LORD BLESS OUR BELOVED ARCHDEACONS in their tireless service for the People of God and our jurisdiction.
Costa Rica - January 30, 2006. Today, Archbishop Chrysostomos, Major Archbishop of Ecuador, Central & South America, has announced that he has appointed Father Jorge Villalabos as Vicar General for Central America. Fr. Jorge Villalabos, seen to the left in the first photo, was elevated to the dignity of Archpriest by Archbishop Chrysostomos (Autonomous Ukrainian Orthodox Church in America), on January 18, 2006. In the center photo, Fr. Jorge joined Archbishop Chrysostomos for a live interview on Radio Costa Rica, and in the photo on the far right, Fr. Jorge Villalabos is seen at a home Liturgy with his beloved Mother. We wish Father Jorge, his family, parishioners and the people of the Church of Costa Rica every grace and blessing.
Kyiv, Ukraine - January 23, 2006. The Synod of Bishops of the Archdiocese of Ukraine brought our brother Bishops together. Pictured are (left to right) Mitred Archpriest Valentyn Soroka (Secretary of the Holy Synod of Ukraine), Bishop Stephan, Bishop Vsevolod, Archbishop Spyridon and Bishop Daniil. In the second photo, our Brothers are pictured (left to right -- Bishop Stephan, Archbishop Spyridon, Bishop Daniil and Mitred Archpriest Valentyn) prior to their meeting with the officials of the government of Ukraine.
San Jose, Costa Rica - January 23, 2006. During his pastoral visit to Costa Rica, Major Archbishop of Ecuador, Central & South America, Vladyka Chrysostomos (left), accompanied by Father Archpriest Jorge Villalabos (right) met with the Roman Catholic Metropolitan Archbishop of San Jose, His Eminence Hugo Barrantes Urena (center) for what Vladyka Chrysostomos described as an extremely warm and fraternal interchange.
Ternopil', Ukraine - January 19, 2006. The joy of the Theophany was felt and celebrated in Ternopil' by Bishop Vsevolod and his deacons, subdeacons, priests and people who also overcame the obstacles of freezing cold.
Kyiv - January 19, 2006. Braving the snow, freezing rain, winds and -12 degree temperatures, our people gathered to celebrate the Feast of the Theophany and were led in prayer by Bishop Stephan, Mitred Archpriest Valentyn, Protopresbyter Wasilii, Fr. Evheniy and Subdeacons Volodymir, Ihor and Nicholas.
Kyiv, Ukraine - January 11, 2006. Metropolitan Benedict, Archbishop of the Zaporizskogo and Kamskogo Regions and Exarch of the Russian True Orthodox Church in Ukraine, in the name of Metropolitan Raphael of Moscow, Primate of the Russian True Orthodox Church, signed an Act of Complete Eucharistic Inter-Communion with our jurisdiction. Our Bishop Stephan was delegated by Prime Bishop Ioan to sign in the name of the Autonomous Ukrainian Orthodox Church in America. Through this Act of Inter-Communion, both jurisdictions will share full Eucharistic and Liturgical communion, all Hierarchs and clergy, parishes and institutions, and act in the truest fraternal bonds of charity and fraternity. Among those present during the signing of the Act of Inter-Communion were Mitred Archpriest Valentyn, Protopresbyter Wasilii, Father Yephrem and Subdeacon Volodymir. May the Lord keep and bless Metropolitan Raphael, Metropolitan Benedict and all the priests, deacons, monastics and people of our Sister-Church, the Russian True Orthodox Church, and may He guide us all to become a witness of the deepest fraternal love and of true Christian and Orthodox unity.
Kyiv, Ukraine - January 7, 2006. We celebrate the ordination of Father Deacon Leonid by Bishop Stephan, Apostolic Administrator of Kyiv, amidst the joy of the Feast of the Nativity. Pictured (left) is the imposition of hands by Bishop Stephan upon Fr. Deacon Leonid. After the ordination, newly ordained Deacon Leonid (standing behind Bishop Stephan), his family and some of our priests gathered to celebrate Christmas and to share the joy of our newly ordained Deacon.
Bogota, Columbia - January 2, 2006 - Our very gifted monk-iconographer and Chancellor of the Archdiocese of Ecuador, Central & South America, Fr. Archdeacon Nicolas, is pictured above lecturing to our seminarians in Columbia on the sacred art of writing icons.
Columbia - January 1, 2006 - During Major Archbishop Chrysostomos' most recent visit to Columbia, Subdeacon Eliseo Porras, MD was ordained to the diaconate by Vladyka Chrysostomos. Fr. Deacon Eliseo will serve as Administrator of the Community of St. Michael the Archangel. MANY HAPPY YEARS TO OUR NEWLY ORDAINED DEACON ELISEO!