NEWS 2010
December 1, 2010 - Nokomis, IL. We have been notified that Brandon Fox, son of Abbot Theophan (Fox) of Holy Apostles Skete, has been scheduled to be deployed to Afghanistan in early January, 2011. Our prayers go with and for Brandon, whom we hold in the highest esteem, and for our other service men and women who are serving our country so selflessly and bravely.
October 1, 2010 - Nokomis, IL. For the third straight year, Abbot Theophan of Holy Apostles Skete has kicked-off the skete's St. Xena Mission Warmth for the Homeless Appeal to raise blankets, jackets, hats and gloves for the homeless in the area. Abbot Theophan is pictured above with parishioner Leah (and baby Kiera got into the act, as well). The appeal has met with great success these past few years and has received the support of Nokomis' residents and parishes.
September 6, 2010 - Baie St-Paul, Quebec. Vladyka Gabriel, Bishop of Ville Marie, was asked to give a retreat, based on Orthodox spirituality and theology, to the Little Franciscan Sisters of Mary in Baie St-Paul, Quebec. Vladyka Gabriel was joined by our beloved Father Sylvain, his wife, Nathalie, Fr. Sylvain's brother-in-law and his children, Sr. Claudette, a member of the Little Franciscans of Mary, and Bro. Jesus Miguel, oblate of the Monks of New Manjava, Solus Christi Brothers Skete, Canada.
September 5, 2010 - Zozulyntzy, Ukraine. This past Sunday, the multitude of parishioners of the Cathedral parish of His Eminence Archbishop Vsevolod in Zozulyntzy, Ukraine, officially celebrated the 100th anniversary of their parish with a special Hierarchical Divine Liturgy followed by a most eleborate dinner prepared by the ladies of the parish. Local clergy were joined by our clergy from Kyiv led by Protopresbyter Valentyn Soroka. We wish our dear Vladyka Vsevolod and the dear people of Zozulyntzy mnohaya lita and every blessing our Lord can bestow on this most active parish and its dedicated faithful.
August 29, 2010 - Kyiv, Ukraine. The Parish of the Icon of Christ Not Made by Human Hands celebrated its patronal feast on Sunday, August 29. Celebrating with Pastor, Protopresbyter Valentyn Soroka and Vladyka Vsevolod were 21 priests and deacons. Honored guests included our dear brothers, Vladyka Hilarion, and Fr. Michael of the Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church. The festivities were made even more solemn with the ordination of Subdeacon Oleksiy to the Holy Deaconate.
August 15, 2010 - Dolyna, Ukraine. On the Feast of the Relics of St. Stephen, Father Deacon Oleksandr Lyushenko was ordained to the Holy Priesthood by Vladyka Spyridon (Babsky), retired Archbishop of Luts'k-Volyn, with the blessing of Metropolitan Ioan, for service in the Diocese of L'viv and Ivano-Frankivs'k. Metropolitan Ioan issued a Pastoral Letter to the people of the Diocese of L'viv and Ivano-Frankivs'k on the occasion of the ordination of Father Oleksandr which can be accessed at: http://www.uaocamerica.org/PressRoom/PastoralLetters2010.dsp
August 1 and August 2, 2010 - Dolyna, Ukraine. With the blessing of His Beatitutde Metropolitan Ioan, Subdeacons Rostyslav Telega and Oleksandr Lyushenko were ordained to the Holy Diaconate, on August 1 and August 2 respectively, by His Eminence Archbishop Vsevolod (Kocherhyn), Archbishop of Ternopil' - Bukhovyna. Fr. Deacon Oleksandr Lyushenko, having completed his fourth year of theological studies at the L'viv Theological Academny, will be ordained to the Holy Priesthood for the Diocese of L'viv and Ivano-Frankivs'k on or about August 15, 2010. Fr. Deacon Rostyslav Telega has been assigned to the Parish of the Holy Transfiguration, Dolyna, Ukraine, and will continue his theological studies at the L'viv Theological Academy.
April 4, 2010 - Milwaukee, WI. CHRIST IS RISEN! A most joyous Pascha to all from Vladyka Ioan, Fr. Archdeacon Sergiy Larin, Fr. Oleksandr Sys and Fr. John Mahalik who, along with Sister Helen, were able to join their brother monks and parishioners of the monastic parish at Solus Christi Skete, Milwaukee, for the celebration of the Pascha of our Lord. Paschal Matins and the Paschal Hierarchical Divine Liturgy were followed by the traditional blessing of food and a brunch at the monastery.
March 31, 2010 - Milwaukee, WI. The Monks of New Manjava, Solus Christi Skete, and parishioners of the monastic parish celebrated Holy and Great Wednesday with the traditional Anointing of the Sick. Vladyka Ioan and Archpriest Oleksandr, assisted by Fr. Archdeacon Sergiy Larin, anointed all parishioners. Shown above, Diana, Hanna Sys and Nadiya Sys are anointed, celebrating this great Sacrament of healing in preparation for the Lord's Pascha.
February 6, 2010 - Nokomis, IL. Despite the brutal outdoor temperatures, Abbot Theophan (Fox) of the Solus Christi Skete of the Holy Apostles, Nokomis, IL, celebrated the Commemoration of the Dead at St. Xenia Orthodox Cemetery. May the memories of all our deceased brothers and sisters be eternal!
January 19, 2010 - Kyiv, Ukraine. The community in Kyiv celebrated the Feast of Epiphany with the ordination of Fr. Deacon Oleg to the Holy Priesthood and Subdeacon Tikhon to the Holy Diaconate. His Eminence Archbishop Vsevolod (Kocherhyn) imposed hands on the two ordinands with the blessing of His Beatitude Metropolitan Ioan, Locum tenens of the Archdiocese of Ukraine. Following the joy-filled Divine Liturgy, the clergy and people processed to the Dnieper River for the blessing of water.
January 6, 2010 - Milwaukee, WI. In preparation for the Nativity of our Lord, Vladyka Ioan and Mitred Archpriest Oleksandr Sys, assisted by Fr. Archdeacon Sergiy Larin, celebrated Soborovanya (Holy Anointing of the Sick) with the faithful of the Monastic Parish of the Holy Resurrection. Pictured above, Dr. Iryna Kudrynska is anointed by Vladyka Ioan. In the second photo parishioner Halyna receives a blessing with the Book of the Gospels by Mitred Archpriest Oleksandr Sys and in the third photo, Sergiy Vasylenko is anointed by Vladyka Ioan, assisted by Fr. Archdeacon Sergiy Larin.