With the blessing of Metr. Demetrius of America, the Dormition of the Theotokos parish in Concord, NH, hosted this year’s Youth and Family Conference on the weekend of October 20 – 22. The conference theme was “Reverence and the Fear of God.” Metr. Demetrius and Metr. Moses of Toronto joined us along with more than a dozen clergy and about 150 laity. Conferees came from New England, New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, Florida, Toronto, and as far away as California. It was wonderful to get re-acquainted with old friends as well as get to know many new folks.
The event began and ended with a short service asking for our Lord’s blessing on this event and clearly our Lord blessed us greatly. On Friday night at the church, a large group gathered for fellowship and snacks. On Saturday, activities and meals were held at an elementary school a few blocks from the church. In the morning, attendees were divided into four age groups, and clergy presented talks to each group on reverence and fear of God in church, at home, and in the world. Everyone attending the sessions spoke highly of how the theme was fleshed out and made practical to our daily lives. The younger children also enjoyed painting pumpkins, other crafts and relay races.
The weather was beautiful through out the weekend, and many attendees enjoyed a trip to an apple orchard for apple picking, cider and fresh cider doughnuts Saturday afternoon. Following vespers and dinner, the young people went bowling. Adults took part in a Q&A with our hierarchs, focusing on the topics discussed earlier in the day.
On Sunday, Matins and a Hierarchical Divine Liturgy were celebrated, with two hierarchs, six priests and four deacons. Both Metropolitans gave edifying brief sermons on the Gospel lesson, the raising of the widow’s son in Nain. What a great blessing to all be together worshipping our Lord. The event concluded with a banquet at the school. Presbytera Katina Patitsas entertained us with some of her songs. Metr. Moses agreed to hold next year’s Youth and Family Conference in Toronto.
Fr. Andrew Snogren, the Dormition parish priest, expressed his thanks to our hierarchs, the clergy who attended and participated, the planning committee for their great work, and to all the parishioners and guests who helped in many ways.
This miracle of Saint Spyridon took place in Mandra, Greece in 1926.
It was 12/25 December, 1926. The state Church of Greece adopted the Papal calendar and with the help of the Greek government persecuted all those who did not accept the Papal calendar. The faithful Orthodox Christians of Mandra woke up and headed to their Church to celebrate the Feast of Saint Spyridon. When they reached the Church they saw that the door to the Church had been secured with chains and the faithful could not enter. Before leaving the Church to return to their homes they stuck their candles on the door. As soon as the last person placed his candles on the door
the chains broke and fell. The faithful, confirmed in their Faith, entered the Church and celebrated the Feast of Saint Spyridon.
The miracle was reported the next day by the newspaper Skrip.
St. John of Kronstadt Orthodox Church began as a mission parish in the year 2000, in a home chapel in Palm Coast, FL – a small town on Florida’s northeast coast located between St. Augustine and Daytona Beach. After two years, it became necessary to have services in area community centers, rented for Sundays and other Holy Days. Read more...
2025 Youth Conference
Please join us for the 2025 youth conference in Toronto, Ontario, Canada! To learn more, visit the conference website.
Q. Can you tell me what the two-headed snake cane the Greek Bishop is walking with represents? What does it mean?
-V.T.
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