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.

First Synod Meeting of the Ecclesiastical Year

With the grace of God, the Church of the G.O.C. of Greece's first Synod meeting of the ecclesiastical year took place at the church "The Unfading Rose" in Piraeus, Greece on Tuesday September 11/24, 2013 under the presidency of His Beatitude Archbishop Kallinikos of Athens and all Greece.

As is customary, before the first Synod meeting of the ecclesiastical year commenced, the Holy Water Service was served by His Grace, Bishop Demetrius of Boston.

Below, from left to right: Their Eminences and Graces - Demetrius of Boston, Photios of Marathon, Moses of Toronto, Gerontios of Piraeus & Salamis, Maximos of Thessalonica, His Beatitude, Archbishop Kallinikos of Athens & All Greece, Athanasios of Larisa & Platamon, Chrysostom of Attica & Boeotia, Gregory of Christianoupolis and Theodosios of Bresthena.

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

Saint John of Kronstadt - Bunnell, Florida

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...

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

Fasting

Q. There seems to be a lot of variation in how people observe fasting, but my confessor told me to fast from oil on Wednesday and Friday. Oil is a pretty vague category, though, and I was wondering if I could get a more explicit description of what kinds of food and drink are excluded on strict fast days. Read more...