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
Watchfulness is like Jacob's Ladder: God is at the top while the angels climb it. It rids us of everything bad, cuts out loose chatter, abuse, backbiting, and all other evil practices of this kind. Yet in doing this, not for an instant does it lose its own sweetness.
—St. Hesychios the Priest, On Watchfulness and Holiness.
Fr Maximus Ordained to the Holy Diaconate
- Details
- Created on Monday, 11 February 2008 16:16
On January 21, 2008 (February 3 n.s.), Fr Maximus of Holy Ascension Monastery was ordained to the diaconate by His Eminence Metropolitan Pavlos at the parish of St Maximos the Confessor, which is pastored by Fr Maximus's father according to the flesh, Fr Thomas Marretta. We wish Fr Maximus many years. Axios!
FrMaximosDeacon001
FrMaximosDeacon002
FrMaximosDeacon003
FrMaximosDeacon004
FrMaximosDeacon005
FrMaximosDeacon006
FrMaximosDeacon007
FrMaximosDeacon008
FrMaximosDeacon009
FrMaximosDeacon010
FrMaximosDeacon011
FrMaximosDeacon012
FrMaximosDeacon013
FrMaximosDeacon014
FrMaximosDeacon015
FrMaximosDeacon016
FrMaximosDeacon017
FrMaximosDeacon018
FrMaximosDeacon019
FrMaximosDeacon020
FrMaximosDeacon021
FrMaximosDeacon022
FrMaximosDeacon023
FrMaximosDeacon024
FrMaximosDeacon025
FrMaximosDeacon026
FrMaximosDeacon027
FrMaximosDeacon028
FrMaximosDeacon029
FrMaximosDeacon030
FrMaximosDeacon031
FrMaximosDeacon032
FrMaximosDeacon033
FrMaximosDeacon034
FrMaximosDeacon035
FrMaximosDeacon036
FrMaximosDeacon037
FrMaximosDeacon038
FrMaximosDeacon039
FrMaximosDeacon040
Upcoming
Latest News
- Saint Innocent Fellowship 2025
- Theophany in Greece 2025
- Feast of St. Demetrius 2024
- 2024 Family & Youth Conference Photos
- Services Held to Honor the Sanctity of Saint Ioasaph of Edmonton and Buenos Aires
- His Grace Bishop Benedict of Astoria Ordained Bishop
- ΑΝΑΚΟΙΝΩΣΗ: ΧΕΙΡΟΤΟΝΙΑ ΤΟΥ ΘΕΟΦΙΛΕΣΤΑΤΟΥ ΒΕΝΕΔΙΚΤΟΥ ΕΜΨΗΦΙΣΜΕΝΟΥ ΕΠΙΣΚΟΠΟΥ ΑΣΤΟΡΙΑΣ
- Announcement: The Ordination of His Grace Bishop-elect Benedict of Astoria
Latest Content
- The Persecution of Christians in Modern Greece (English version)
- Why Orthodox Christians Venerate Saints — St George Sermon
- Glastonbury, St. Joseph of Arimathea and Unreasonable “Scholars” (Sermon)
- If You're Struggling With Your Faith, Listen to This (Sermon)
- Apostle Peter Understood Just by Looking at the Grave Clothes of Jesus Christ the Lord (Sermon)
- Apostle Peter Understood Just by Looking at the Grave Clothes of Jesus Christ the Lord (Sermon)
- 2026 Paschal Message (English, Eλληνικά, Português)
- Hades, The Resurrection, and the Power of Holy Relics (Sermon)
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
Why Do We Follow the Old Orthodox Calendar?
Why do we follow the Old Orthodox Calendar?
a Because based on it, the First Ecumenical Council established the Paschal Canon and appointed that the feast of Holy Pascha may fall anywhere from March 22nd until April 25th, while with the New (Papal) Calendar it can fall as late at May 8th.
b The Gregorian (Papal) Calendar has been condemned by three Pan-Orthodox Councils under Patriarch Jeremiah Tranos (1583, 1587, 1589) 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
Two-Headed Snake Cane?
Q. Can you tell me what the two-headed snake cane the Greek Bishop is walking with represents? What does it mean?
-V.T.
Read more...
© 2026 Church of the Genuine Orthodox Christians of America (GOC). All Rights Reserved.
For inquiries, please contact the webmaster.