On July 18/31, His Eminence, Metropolitan Demetrius of America, along with Hierodeacon Benedict, travelled from St John of San Francisco Orthodox Monastery in Cobleskill, NY to the parish of St Seraphim of Sarov in Glen Allen, Virginia, just outside Richmond, to celebrate the feast of the uncovering of the relics of St Seraphim of Sarov.
That evening, Great Vespers with Liti were served, with His Eminence in attendance. Afterward, His Eminence hosted a question and answer period with the members of the parish. The following day, Divine Liturgy was served, with His Eminence in attendance. Serving from the parish of St Seraphim of Sarov were Fr Nicodemos Gayle, along with deacons Fr Andrew Wales and Fr Joseph Clatterbuck. Fr George Psaromatis from St Nicholas in Maryland, and Fr Andrew Frick from Holy Ascension in Fairfax, VA, travelled to the parish for the feast, along with many faithful from across the country. During the service, Alexis Arzuaga, from North Carolina, was made a subdeacon, and Michael Skvor, who lives locally, was tonsured a reader.
Following the Liturgy, a festive meal was served, with a brief talk by His Eminence.
May St Seraphim of Sarov intercede for us all!
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. In considering becoming part of the GOC in America, I am getting warnings from various circles that the attitude of GOC people is that of being “walled off,” “arrogant,” “judgmental,” and “in your face” toward those not in the Genuine Orthodox Church, with accusations such as “World Orthodox” priests are “not even Christians” and the like. Could you give me your personal, realistic assessment of this dynamic and possibly refer me to an official statement on how GOC members should and do relate to and communicate with those in “World Orthodoxy”? Read more...