The Spiritual Watch

Below, please find the latest issue of The Spiritual Watch, the official publication of the Metropolis of America, published with the blessings of His Eminence, Metropolitan Demetrius of America. In The Spiritual Watch, you will find news and information regarding our Holy Metropolis, as well as spiritual writings.

The Spiritual Watch, Vol VII (New: February 24/March 8, 2024)

Quote From the Fathers

Examine yourself daily in the sight of God, and discover which of the passions is in your heart. Cast it out, and so escape His judgment.
—St. Isaiah the Solitary, On Guarding the Intellect.

Attack Against the Fathers of Esphigmenou

We received the following email at 8:26am EDT on Monday July 16/29, 2013 from His Grace Bishop Photios, Chief-Secretary of the Holy Synod in Greece.

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Τώρα 3 διμοιρίες ΜΑΤ κατευθύνονται στίς Καρυές για να αποβάλουν βιαίως τους Εσφιγμενίτες Πατέρες από το αντιπροσωπείο της Μονής. Παρακαλούμε όπως:

α. Προσευχηθείτε θερμώς γιά την ενίσχυση των Πατέρων και την αποτροπήν των σχεδίων βιαίας απομακρύνσεως

β. Οι δυνάμενοι να στείλουν διαμαρτυρία στο Πρωθυπουργό ζητώντας την παρέμβασή του για την παύση των διωκτικών ενεργειών. Το e-mail του Πρωθυπουργού This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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Three riot squads are now directed at Karyes to forcibly expel the fathers of Esphigmenou from the Monastery's representation in Karyes.

a. Please pray fervently for the support of the Fathers of the Monastery and for the thwarting of the plans to forcibly remove them.

b. Those who are able, please send a letter of protest to the Prime Minister of Greece seeking his intervention to stop this persecution. The Prime Minister's e-mail is: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

About the Church

The Church of the Genuine Orthodox Christians (GOC) of America is The Traditionalist Orthodox Church serving the faithful of North and South America following the old (Julian) calendar. Having its roots in the Diocese of Astoria, founded by Metropolitan Petros (Astyfides) in 1954, it presently consists of two Metropolises (America and Toronto) and two dioceses (Etna and Portland, and Boston), shepherded by five hierarchs, under the Presidency of His Eminence, Metropolitan Demetrius of America.

The Church of the GOC of America is an autonomous Eparchy whose Mother Church is The Holy Synod of the Church of the GOC of Greece, under the Presidency of His Beatitude Archbishop Kallinikos of Athens and All Greece. The bishops belonging to the Eparchial Synod are also members of the Holy Synod of the Church of Greece. We resist the heresy of Ecumenism.

Orthodox Awareness

The Calendar Question

A Classic Defense of the Old Calendar, proving it is part of the Tradition of the Church. Read more...

Missions

Saints Peter and Paul Orthodox Mission, Tucson, Arizona

Saints Peter and Paul Orthodox Church is a beautiful mission parish near downtown Tucson, a city in southern Arizona. It was started in 1997 by Father John Bockman, who was a missionary Priest formerly serving missions in Tennessee and Massachusetts since 1990. Father John served the faithful in Tucson and the surrounding area in his home Chapel until his repose in November of 2000. His wife, Presbytera Valerie, continued to make her home Chapel available for the mission, with clergy from Saint Nectarios Orthodox Church in Seattle and His Eminence, Metropolitan Moses of Toronto (then of Portland), visiting to provide the Divine Services.

Read more...
Youth

2026 Youth Conference

Please join us for the 2026 youth conference in Upper Marlboro, MD! To learn more, visit the this page.

Ask A Priest

Why do we Call Angels “Saint”?

Q. I noticed that we call the angels Michael and Gabriel "Saint." I thought the title "Saint" was only given to humans who have proven themselves Godly. Do you mind clarifying this for me? Is there a deeper meaning to "Saint" that I am not aware of?

-S.L. Read more...