Icon Bridges to Mexico 

PHARR:  Last year, after a 14 hour bus ride from the Texas border to Mexico City, Fr. Antonio Perdomo and his two teenaged daughters delivered three large boxes of icons to Orthodox Church in America Bishop ALEJO and Archbishop DMITRI during Vladika DMITRI’s annual Theophany season visit to Mexico.  The Hierarchs and Clergy in Mexico received these gifts with great joy and thanksgiving.  This year, the Perdomos hope to continue the tradition and to do even more.

“This is something that we, as Orthodox Parishes in the US can easily do to act as a bridge of support for the Orthodox Church in Mexico,” said Fr. Perdomo.

The Orthodox Churches and Missions in Mexico are challenged in several ways. First, it is difficult to access traditional Orthodox icons and liturgical supplies in Mexico, which is a largely Roman Catholic nation. Second, most mission parishes in Mexico live with financially demanding situations. Although more men are being trained, the nation as a whole has with few Orthodox clergy, and many of these must work full-time to support their missions because of the economically-challenged situation of Parishioners.

“Two years ago, when my sister and I first came with our dad to visit the Orthodox Churches in Mexico,” said University of Texas, Pan American student, Analucia Perdomo, “one of the first things my sister and I noticed was the lack of Orthodox icons in the missions we saw. It is very hard for them to find icons down there. It made us want to go home and do what we could to help out.”

After that 2005 Theophany visit to Mexico City, Fr. Antonio and his family decided to try to get the word out and encourage others here in the states to share from their abundance.  Matushka Elizabeth added, “Most parishes in the States have a closet or shelf somewhere storing older acolyte robes or unused vestments. Often, when a church is remodeled, older icons are also just put into storage. Rather than letting these things gather dust here, it’s much better to share these holy things with mission churches which very much need them.”

In addition to larger sized, traditional Orthodox icons for use in Churches, various missions in Mexico need vestments, acolyte robes, altar coverings, censors and any other objects used in liturgical services.  Since shipping and delivery to Mexico is both very expensive and extremely unreliable, Fr. Perdomo, rector of St. George’s Orthodox Church on the Mexican border in Pharr, Texas, continues to receive and hand deliver icons and liturgical supplies directly to Bishop ALEJO at the Cathedral in Mexico City.

 “If every Parish in the US decided to give the Church in Mexico a Christmas present, what a wonderful thing that would be!  And, it wouldn’t take much to do it, either.” Matushka continued, “If each Parish or Women’s Group or Church School class decided to raise money and buy just one, nice sized icon for the Church in Mexico – it would be such a blessing and would strengthen our fellowship with the Church there.” 

“Or, if everyone just cleaned out their Parish closets and shared what they have stored in there,” continued Ms. Perdomo, “that would likely benefit every Orthodox mission in the entire nation of Mexico.”   

To read more or to see photos from last year’s “Icon Bridges to Mexico” deliveries, please see:  http://www.stgeorgepantry.org/iconbridges.html   Please ship icons and liturgical items to:  Fr. Antonio Perdomo, 520 W. Rosemary Avenue, Pharr, TX  78577. For more information, call 956-781-2388 or email Father at padreantoniop@aol.com

(Clinton, MS) Archpriest Paul Yerger, rector of Holy Resurrection Orthodox Church, surrounded by local and guest clergy and faithful celebrated its final service in their old church building on October 14. The final service remembered the departed of the parish community who worshiped the Lord in the old church, which the community prayed in since 1980. Prayers of Thanksgiving were then offered for all the blessings the Lord gave to the faithful of Holy Resurrection. With the conclusion of the final service, the clergy and faithful processed through the streets of Clinton to the new Holy Resurrection church. The first Divine Liturgy was celebrated on Sunday, October 15.

May God bless your work for the Lord in your new facilities!

(Miami, FL) His Eminence, Archbishop DMITRI, blessed the new Christ the Saviour Cathedral here on October 27 and 28. Clergy from the South Florida Deanery and sister Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox communities were represented. His Eminence encouraged the gathered faithful to see the new Cathedral as a focal point for outreach and renewal and to bring others to Christ and the Orthodox Church.

The day-long festivities at Christ the Saviour began with the blessing of water, followed by the blessing of the Cathedral and the celebration of the Divine Liturgy. The day continued with a grand banquet and concluded with the clergy of the DOS South Florida Deanery meeting with Archbishop DMITRI.

The Diocese of the South will celebrate its 30th Anniversary in 2008. A year-long remembrance of the 30th year will begin at the 2007 DOS Assembly in Miami. Miami was the first diocesan see of the DOS. The culmination of the 30th year celebration will at the 2008 Diocesan Assembly hosted by St. Seraphim Cathedral in Dallas, the current see of the DOS

(Dallas, TX) The clergy of the South Central Deanery of the Diocese of the South met here. The day long gathering began with the Divine Liturgy at St. Seraphim Cathedral, followed by the meeting and lunch. Archpriest Basil Zebrun, Dean, presided at the Liturgy and chaired the meeting. The South Central Deanery includes parishes in New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Arkansas, and Mississippi. Given the great geographic distance of the deanery, its clergy typically meet twice a year.

(Dallas, TX) His Eminence, Archbishop DMITRI officially blessed the Aiken, SC  Mission Station with its name, Holy Resurrection Orthodox Mission. The mission is a plant of Holy Apostle Church in Columbia, SC. Priest Andrew Diehl is the mission's first priest-in-charge.

Link to the Mission's website http://www.holyapostles.org/aiken/

(DALLAS,TX) With work completed on the rear section of ceiling at St. Seraphim Cathedral, the scaffolding was repositioned to the front of the Cathedral revealing the spectacular iconography work done by Vladimir Grigorenko. The three rear ceiling panels depict the Baptism, Transfiguration and Cruxifiction of our Lord. Work on the final three ceiling panels in the front of the Cathedral will depict the Resurrection, Pentecost, and Nativity of Christ. The project entire project is scheduled for completion in 2008.

- Day One -

(DALLAS, TX) His Eminence, Archbishop DMITRI returned to Dallas last night completing his swing through the southeastern area of the Diocese of the South. In reviewing the trip, he called it "inspiring and humbling." Inspiring because of the miraculous work taking place by dedicated and self-sacrificing clergy and laity and humbling because of the awesome opportunities that God continues to give us in spreading the Gospel in this diocese.

The trip was a microcosm of the DOS, from fledging new missions, missions building impressive new temples, communities that have completed building new temples and are growing the church, to “established” communities like Clinton, MS that outgrew their facilities and moved into a larger temple with auxiliary buildings to increase the opportunities for parish development and community outreach.

The first stop on the trip was Anniston, AL. where Dr. Carla Thomas has carved out a small mission outpost dedicated to Ss. Cosmas and Damian. Her medical office, adorned with icons, includes a waiting room which also serves as an Orthodox bookstore and is convertible to worship space when clergy from Atlanta come for the divine services.

Remarking on His Eminence’s visit to Anniston, Dr. Carla commented, “His Eminence visited for an hour….one heavenly peace filled hour and the Ss. Cosmas and Damian Mission had its first service conducted by Vladyka himself. Truly, I am the most blessed woman on earth. What a seed planter and sower he is.” Carla in a message to Archpriest Peter Smith, Dean of the Southeastern Deanery, went on to say, “Yet now the work begins. He, (the Archbishop) told me what to do….and I shall do it. The blessing of an Archbishop of Christ is indeed a beauty to behold."

Dr. Carla’s faith and commitment are being repeated by countless clergy and laity who have captured the missionary vision of the DOS as faithfully lived by His Eminence since the birth of this diocese.

Tomorrow, we will continue our review of the trip through the southeast. Next stop, Mt. Pleasant/Charleston, SC and Holy Ascension Mission, where Priest John Parker - and his growing band of missionary faithful - are building an impressive temple in the heart of an upscale planned community on the edge of Charleston.

- Day Two and Three -

After spending the night at the “posh” Motel 8 in Georgia, His Eminence and his fellow travelers, Milos Konjevich, DOS Treasurer, and Subdeacons Vladimir Grygorenko and Mikael Gladskov, continued their journey. The destination, Mt. Pleasant, SC, a close in suburb of historic Charleston, SC where Priest John Parker leads the fast growing community of Holy Ascension Mission.

Started in 2000 and officially founded in 2002, Archpriest John Breck former professor at St. Vladimir Seminary was instrumental in the early development of the mission and played an important role in helping secure the mission's current building location.

His Eminence’s Archpastoral visit to Holy Ascension included the celebration of the Lord’s Day services at which two of the favorite sons of the community, Wayne Nagy was tonsured a reader and subdeacon Mark Barna was ordained to the Holy Diaconate. Deacon Mark will be attached to the Mt. Pleasant mission and assist Father Parker. Such ordinations are another sign of the growing maturity of this community. At the conclusion of the Liturgy, His Eminence awarded Fr. John the skufia and nebedrenik. Axios!

After the Divine Liturgy the gathered faithful followed His Eminence and the clergy as they walked the 400 yards from the storefront chapel and bookstore of Holy Ascension, to the building site of the impressive new temple. At the building site, His Eminence blessed the cornerstone of the new church.

The site of the new temple is in the center of an upscale planned community on the edge of Charleston, SC. As the new community was being built, members of the parish inquired of the community developer if there were any space set aside for churches. When the answer back was a definite “Yes” the process began to purchase a piece of property in the development. After much good-willed negotiations, the Christian generosity of the neighborhood developer, and the financial commitment of the Mission faithful, the current piece of property the church is being built on was purchased at a greatly discounted price.

The neighborhood has embraced Holy Ascension Mission, seeing it and the other church being built in the planned community as essential components to the overall spirit of the development.

As the walls of the new church go up, one can begin to see what the finished temple will look like, complete with an adult walk-in baptistery between the narthex and nave of the church. “This community, like others in our diocese welcomes all people, cradle Orthodox, and converts. We learn from each other the joys of the Orthodox faith,” commented Fr. Parker. “We are blessed to be here.”

Day Three of His Eminence’s southeastern tour will focus on his stop at St. Innocent Mission in Macon, GA where Fr. Chris Williamson is the priest-in-charge. The temple in Macon has already become a place of interest to the local community, attracting visitors on a regular basis.

- Day Three  Continues -

After leaving Charleston, SC in the late afternoon, His Eminence traveled well into the evening to arrive at St. Innocent Mission in Macon, GA. Because the mission is located in a wooded area on the outskirts of Macon, finding it proved a bit of a challenge in the dark of night; however the Archbishop noticed a strong light emanating in the distance and told subdeacon Vladimir to head toward the light. As they turned the corner, there, standing out like a beacon was the beautiful temple dedicated to St. Innocent, Apostle to America.

Based on the architecture of a classic Georgian Orthodox church, St. Innocent Mission is fast becoming a destination for people who have heard of this beautiful church in the woods. Seeing it at night, one can understand why people are searching it out.

As impressive as the temple is from the outside, the inside is no less impressive where the traditional Georgian style continues with high ceilings and archways that mark off the open spaces for worship that all point to the iconostasis and altar.

After entering the church and venerating the altar, His Eminence inspected the church and spent time with Priest Christoper Williamson, priest-in-charge of the mission. Fr. Christopher lives in Atlanta and travels to Macon at least three times a week to serve the spiritual needs of his flock. The mission is in the process of working out the details so Fr. Christopher and his family can move to Macon.

The conversation and fellowship continued in the church hall as Fr. Christopher and a few members of the mission, who patiently waited for His Eminence well into the late evening, reported on the missionary efforts of the community. Founded in 1996, the mission has made great progress, yet all know there is still much work ahead.

By the Grace of God and the dedicated stewardship of the pastor and flock of St. Innocent Mission, another Orthodox community has been established inviting all people to “come and see” and learn about Christ in the Orthodox Church.

Tomorrow we conclude our review of His Eminence’s sojourn through the southeastern area of the DOS with his final stop in Clinton, MS where Holy Resurrection Church has just moved into its new church complex

-         Day Four –

The final day of the southeastern tour began with an early morning departure from Macon, GA and the long drive back to Dallas. As in years past when His Eminence would travel back and forth between Dallas and Miami, Clinton, MS (a suburb of Jackson) and the home of Archpriest Paul and Matushka “Sissy” Yerger was a familiar and comfortable way station to break up his long drive. So when His Eminence called the Yergers and said he would be stopping by for lunch, the Yergers went into “Vladika’s on his way" mode and offered their customary Mississippi hospitality.

However, what made this “drop in” different was that Father Paul and Sissy (both natives of Mississippi) had something new to show His Eminence -a new church complex for Holy Resurrection.

As reported earlier last month here on the DOS website the community of Holy Resurrection took possession for the Lord of a large Presbyterian church just down the street from Holy Resurrection’s old home. The faithful have converted the interior of the temple into Orthodox worship space with ample room for growth, something badly lacking in the old church. Additionally, the new church complex has a large fellowship hall, classrooms and office space for Fr. Paul who has faithfully led this community since its founding in 1977.

When one thinks of Orthodoxy, the state of Mississippi may not be the first place that comes to mind, but don’t tell that to the flock here, who also helped plant the Orthodox mission of Christ the Savior in McComb, MS. Upon inspecting the new facilities, His Eminence charged Fr. Paul to “double the size of the community right away!”

His Eminence is confident that because of the love and dedication of Fr. Paul and his flock, the new facilities will help them better promote Orthodoxy in the greater Jackson, MS area and that the DOS will see even more converts to the faith coming from Mississippi.

Early saint inspired Santa Claus

Orthodox priest to portray St. Nick in weekend events

By CAROLYN CLICK
cclick@thestate.com

It takes only some ornate red and gold vestments and a mitered hat to transform the Rev. Thomas Moore into St. Nicholas.

Legend has it the real Nicholas, born in the third century in what is now southern Turkey, earned his reputation for gift-giving by helping a destitute family with three daughters.

Moore, pastor of the Holy Apostles Orthodox Church in West Columbia, hands out gold coins to remind people of the faithfulness of that early Christian saint, the spiritual forerunner of our modern Santa Claus.

“He took gold from the church and threw it through the windows,” Moore, pastor of Holy Apostles Orthodox Church said in recounting the legend of St. Nicholas.

Nicholas, a bishop who devoted his life to helping others and suffered persecution for his faith, did this on three successive nights. Legend has it the coins landed in a stocking and shoes near the fireplace, the money ensuring that each girl would have a dowry.

The Orthodox Church’s St. Nicholas Day is celebrated Dec. 6, and many children around the globe set out shoes the night before in hopes of receiving small gifts from St. Nicholas.

As his congregation prepares for its annual St. Nicholas festival Saturday, Moore hopes the story of St. Nicholas will resonate with those who may hunger for an understanding of the early Christian church and his own Orthodox faith.

“St. Nicholas is my Trojan horse,” the bearded Moore laughed. “You get him in the door and then you can talk about scripture.”

Holy Apostles is rooted in the traditions of the Russian Orthodox Church but is a congregation of the Orthodox Church in America, which is governed by an American leader, or metropolitan.

At Holy Apostles, church members participate in a 40-day period of fasting from meats that prepares them for the birth of Christ. That fast ends on Christmas Day when the 12 days of Christmas truly begins, he said.

Moore will portray St. Nicholas at the Cayce Historical Museum’s Christmas event tonight and in the West Metro Holiday Parade of Lights Saturday night.

“It is just totally appropriate for us,” said Leo Redmond, the museum’s director. There will be others in costume, including actor Howard Burnham, who will tell the Charles Dickens story.

“Some of these people don’t even know who St. Nicholas is,” Redmond said. Moore is “really into it, and he looks the part.”

Moore will have his photograph taken with children as he fills their hands with coins.

“I tell them I’m not the real St. Nicholas, but there was one.”

Reach Click at (803) 771-8386.

IF YOU GO

The Rev. Thomas Moore, pastor of Holy Apostles Orthodox Church, will portray St. Nicholas three times this weekend, including during the West Metro Holiday Parade of Lights:

Christmas Traditions Open House, Cayce Historical Museum.
6:30 p.m. Friday. Includes lantern tours. 1800 12th St., Cayce

St. Nicholas Festival, Holy Apostles Orthodox Church .
10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday. Food, crafts and magic demonstrations. Concerts at 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. featuring a capella liturgical music of the Orthodox Christian Church. 724 Buff St., West Columbia. www.saintnicholasfestival.org

Cayce’s and West Columbia’s West Metro Holiday Parade of Lights.
5:30 p.m. Saturday. Begins at 101 12th St., West Columbia

The following is taken with permission from the blog of Priest Stephen Freeman. It is a wonderful insight to the weekend events in Nicholasville, but also captures so beautifully what it means for this priest and by extension, how this diocese feels when it gathers around its Archpastor who is in that long line of successors to the Apostles.

+  +  +

I am spending this weekend in Nicholasville, Ky, with my Archbishop and several clergy friends. We are saying goodby to Fr. David Rucker who will soon take up a position at the Orthodox Christian Mission Center, and we say hello, to Fr. Justin Patterson, my former assistant priest, as the new priest in charge of St. Athanasius in Kentucky. In addition tomorrow, we will see the tonsuring of two men as Readers, another two as Sub-deacons, and another ordained to the Holy Diaconate. My job as Dean of the Appalachian Deanery is mostly to hang around and be overjoyed at all of these wonderful happenings.

But apart from that, I have a very strong vision this night, a reminder of the nature of the Church. St. Paul said the Church was built on the foundation of the Apostles and the Prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone. Such language can become so encrusted with the centuries of “Scriptural usage” that we forget what it means. That the Church is built on the foundation of the Apostles and the Prophets, for the writer Paul, is nothing other than saying that the Church is built on the foundation of men that he knows. Nor is it any different today. Even though the foundation has been laid, and no other foundation can be laid, other than Christ Jesus, still each course of stone that is laid, is the living stone of the saints. I am witness to the laying of yet another course (this time of ordained ministry) other times of other ministries. I stand in witness to one of the successors of the Apostles and watch him lay yet another layer of the foundation.

The Church, whatever and however we approach it, cannot be other than men and women in the body of Christ. It is not an institution, in any non-personal sense. It is utterly and only personal, being built entirely of persons.

It is this great assemblage of persons that I think about on occasions such as this weekend. Not just the persons that I am sharing these wonderful events with, but with the persons of the Church everywhere. With the parish of St. Anne back home, with my Deanery and Diocese, with the Orthodox Church in America and throughout the world, and the great cloud of witnesses that surrounds us at every move. But none of it is other than persons. All of them live and die and live in Christ. Each had nervous days like my own (this weekend). Each had wonderful moments and of great joy. But all of it, is built in the manner that God intended - not of syllogism and statement, but of lives lived in union with Christ. The Church consists of nothing other than that - lives lived in union with Christ. May He bless this wonderful weekend, and the lives of which He is constructing His Church.

(Nicholasville, KY) His Eminence, Archbishop DMITRI thanked Priest David Rucker for his dedicated service to St. Athanasius Church here as he now moves on to his new ministry with the Orthodox Christian Mission Center. His Eminence installed Fr. Justin Patterson to replace Fr. Rucker. Fr. Justin was the assistant priest at St. Ann’s in Oak Ridge (Knoxville) TN. Both Fr. David and Fr. Justin were awarded the nabedrenik and Fr. Rucker was awarded the skufia.

The weekend also included the ordination of subdeacon Kevin Rigdon to the Holy Diaconate and the making of three readers and two additional Subdeacons.

The St. Athanasius mission has purchased a spectacular piece of property that is literally on the top of a hill overlooking the beautiful countryside near Nicholasville. The mission’s goal is to pay off the $100,000 land cost as soon as possible and then turn their sights on the building of a temple. So far, St. Athanasius has raised $50,000 in pledges.

In a sign of solidarity with its sister parish, the Priest Stephen Freeman, Dean of the Appalachian Deanery announced at the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy that the St. Anne Mission will provide a grant of $25,000 to match the next $25,000 in pledges thus completing their goal. Such a visible sign of support is another indication of the mission commitment of the clergy and faithful of the DOS for the missionary growth the Church.

In commenting on the weekend, His Eminence stated, “the zeal for the faith demonstrated by the people who gathered in Nicholasville is another indication of how the Lord is blessing this diocese and all those who stay focused on Christ and the spreading of the Gospel.”

(Ft. Lauderdale) With the blessing of His Eminence, Archbishop DMITRI, the clergy of the South Florida Deanery elected Archpriest Philip Reese as their new dean here on Friday. In being notified of the election, Archbishop DMITRI stated that he was grateful for the faithful service of Archpriest Ernesto Rios who was dean of the deanery for many years. His Eminence went on to say that he has every confidence that Fr. Philip will do an excellent job as dean and that he would focus his service as dean in fostering the revitalization of the South Florida Deanery.

(McComb, MS) Priest Matthew Jackson, priest-in-charge of Christ the Saviour Mission in here has been suffering from severe joint pain the past several weeks. Yesterday, Fr. Matthew met with a specialist in Jackson, MS to determine the nature of his condition. Below is an email that Fr. Matthew has shared, and with persmission is being posted here. Please keep Fr. Matthew, Matushka Xenia and their five children in your prayers.

(McComb, MS) 

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

Christ is in our midst!

I write once again to update you all on this current health trial I am undergoing.  As you know, I was officially diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis on Dec 11.  I went back to the rheumatologist yesterday (Dec 18), and was able to look over all of my test results from the first week, and begin to see how the doctor wants to proceed in treating me.  The results of my blood work confirm the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis.  My case is on the severe end of the scale, with very high numbers for inflammation in my body.

With RA the joints become inflamed and swollen and very painful from the immune system attacking the joints. RA is the same type of disease, autoimmune, as cancer.  The numbers that indicate how inflamed your body is also indicate how much damage is being done to your joints.  The worse the inflammation, the more damage is being done.  The goal of the doctor, in treatment, is to slow the progression of the disease, or to send it into remission (which happens only about 10% of the time).  The standard of care for someone with a severe case like mine is chemotherapy, which is what the doctor has prescribed.  It is in very small doses (nowhere near the strength needed to treat cancer), given by self-injection at home once a week, and about six hours after the treatment you take a pill that counteracts the chemo.  Basically, the process is stunting the immune system for a few hours, and then waking it back up to recover for a week.

The hopes are that the immune system stops the attack on the body.  It takes some time, up to a year, to see if this will work.  The process is to undergo the treatment, then begin to stop all treatments and medications and see if the disease has slowed or gone away.  Everyone’s response to the medications is drastically different, so the treatment process for  someone with RA is “wait and see.”  If it works then we go on, if not then we try another treatment.

Please keep us in your prayers as we now seek guidance in how to proceed with treatment.  My next appointment is in 6 weeks, and I plan to send another update out then (if nothing significant develops before).

Thank you for your continued prayers and support. Know that your love is felt, and you are all in our prayers as well.

God bless,

In Christ-
Rev. Priest Matthew Jackson
Christ the Saviour Orthodox Christian Church
McComb, MS
http://www.Christ-the-Saviour.org
http://www.priestmatthewjackson.blogspot.com

His Eminence continues to be energized by such visits to his flock  - they help to keep him young even at 83. One can expect that the pattern of multiple visitation weekends will be duplicated in the future. Such occasions will give people more opportunities to pray and talk with their bishop and similar opportunities for His Eminence to be with those entrusted to his care and very dear to his heart.

On Saturday, December 16, His Eminence, accompanied by Mr. Milos Konjevich, DOS Treasurer, arrived at St. Raphael of Brooklyn Mission in Inverness, Florida. Priest David Balmer, a recent graduate of St. Tikhon Seminary, eagerly awaited the arrival of His Eminence. Like St. Philip’s, this too was the first Archpastoral visit of Vladika DMITRI to Inverness since the mission was founded in 2002. The gathered took advantage of the opportunity to show some good Southern hospitality. After a Molieben, lunch was served with approximately sixty people in attendance. Founding members of the St. Raphael Mission, Dolores Lichatz- Vice Warden, Nancy Kinley- Outreach and Charities, Ellen Skowronek- Treasurer and Joan Steele then presented the Archbishop with an Icon of St. Raphael. 

(Dallas, TX) St. Philip the Apostle Mission was the first stop in His Eminence’s weekend tour of parishes around the greater Tampa, Florida area. St. Philip’s is led by Priest Joseph Ciarciaglino.  Fr. Joseph and members of his flock greeted His Eminence on the afternoon of Friday, December 15. This was Vladika’s first visit to St. Philip Mission since it began only one year ago. After venerating the altar and inspecting the sanctuary the Archbishop sat down to lunch with those gathered and shared inspirational words, encouraging the faithful to continue steadfastly with their mission to spread the full Gospel of Christ to the Tampa area. 

(Dallas, TX) His Eminence, Archbishop DMITRI, Exarch of Mexico, announced plans today to visit the Exarchate of Mexico January 7-9, 2007. His Beatitude, Metropolitan HERMAN will accompany His Eminence to Mexico City where they will be greeted by The Right Reverend Alejo, Bishop of Mexico City  and Administrator of the Exarchate of Mexico.

Metropolitan Herman, Archbishop Dmitri and Bishop Alejo will concelebrate the Divine Liturgy at La Catedral de la Ascension del Senor on Sunday, January 7. At the end of the Liturgy the Great Blessing of Water will take place.

(Jacksonville, FL) The Annual DOS Pastoral Conference will be held February 5-7 in Jacksonville, FL. St. Justin Martyr Church will be the host parish.

The Conference will start at 12:00 noon on the 5th and conclude at 12:00 noon on the 7th.

The Conference will be using two hotels. The Holiday Inn Express (about 2 miles from St. Justin's) and the La Quinta Inn (about 5 miles). Please refer to the following information when making your reservations.

The Holiday Inn Express 11262 Old St Augustine Rd, Jacksonville, FL 32257  1-(800) 315-2621 or Hotel Front Desk (904) 899-9000 RATE $79.00. CUT OFF DATE JANUARY 4, 2007.

La Quinta Inn  Jacksonville Mandarian San Jose (904) 268-9999 (Group Reference Number is 101245137) 3199 Hartley Road Jacksonville, FL 32257
Phone: (904)268-9999 RATE $58.00 CUT OFF DATE JANUARY 15, 2007

For additional information, please read the Welcome Letter of St. Justin Martyr Church.