On January 13th and 14th of 2011 Father John Prokopiuk and the faithful of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary parish had a great privilege and honor to welcome His Grace, The Right Reverend +Michael during his visit to the parish. His Grace, Bishop +Micheal made his first visit to St. Mary’s Church since becoming the first Bishop of the Diocese of New York and New Jersey in May of 2010.

This historic visit began on January 13th with celebration of All-Night Vigil services for the feast of the Circumcision of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The Orthodox Church also celebrates the memory of Our Holy Father St. Basil the Great on the same day. His Grace, Bishop +Michael pointed out to those attending the All-Night Vigil the true meaning of hospitality, exemplified in the life of St. Basil the Great. His Grace also told the faithful of St. Mary’s that the memory of Saint Basil, should challenge each of us to strive to imitate his life especially when it comes to caring for the less fortunate among us- the sick, the poor, the hungry, the widows and the orphans. Immediately after the All-Night Vigil every one was invited to the parish hall for a dinner and time of fellowship during which His Grace, Bishop +Michael made sure to meet and talk with every one who attended.

The next day, January 14th, 2011 the Feast of the Circumcision of Our Lord the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy was celebrated by His Grace, Bishop +Michael and the local clergy. During the Divine Liturgy Bishop +Michael bestowed kamilavka onto Protodeacon John Morvay in recognition of his faithful service to the St. Mary’s Church and to the Orthodox Church in America.

During his homily, His Grace Bishop +Michael reflected upon the significance of the Feast of Circumcision of Our Lord:

After the celebration of the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy once again every one was invited to the parish hall for a festive dinner.

Additional pictures and videos from the celebration will be available in the upcoming days.

On July 18, 2009, Baptism of Rylan George Gorins took place at St. Mary’s Russian Orthodox Church. We would like to congratulate the newly baptized, his parents, grandparents and relatives and wish them good health for Many and Blessed Years!

We are publishing several video fragments from the funeral of our beloved late Archbishop GREGORY. We will publish them all in the course of the next several days. If you are subscribed to our website through e-mail or feed reader, you might want to visit the our website to see the video below.

His Eminence, Archbishop Gregory [Afonsky], retired Archbishop of Sitka and Alaska, fell asleep in the Lord at his home here on the evening of Tuesday, April 15, 2008, three days before his 83rd birthday.

The son and grandson of priests, Archbishop Gregory was born George Afonsky in Kyiv, Ukraine, on April 17, 1925. During World War II, he was taken by the German army to work labor camps in Germany. In 1949, he emigrated to the US, where he served as choir director at parishes in New Jersey and Connecticut.

Archbishop Gregory (Afonsky)After completing a degree at the University of Connecticut, he attended Saint Vladimir’s Seminary, Crestwood, NY, from which he graduated in 1965. Later that year, he was ordained to the diaconate and the priesthood. His first assignment was Saint Sergius Chapel at the Metropolitan’s Residence in Syosset, NY, (which would later become the OCA Chancery) where he served as Church archivist from 1965 to 1971. He also received a Master of Arts degree from Hofstra University and a Master of Theology degree from Saint Vladimir’s Seminary.

In November 1971, Fr. George was assigned rector of Saint Nicholas Church, Portland, OR, and shortly thereafter took monastic tonsure at Saint Tikhon’s Monastery, South Canaan, PA, receiving the name Gregory. In March 1973, he was elected Bishop of Sitka and Alaska. His consecration to the episcopacy took place at Archangel Michael Cathedral, Sitka, AK, on May 13, 1973.

In addition to his duties as diocesan hierarch, Bishop Gregory was instrumental in establishing Saint Herman’s Pastoral School, Kenai, AK. He oversaw the school’s move to Kodiak, AK, and its elevation to the status of a theological seminary. He was instrumental in revitalizing many communities throughout the Diocese of Alaska, and delighted in attending annual regional conferences. He was deeply loved by his flock, especially the diocese’s native Alaskan population.

The author of several books in Russian and English, as well as numerous articles, His Eminence was a passionate researcher of the Church’s historical legacy in North America. He served as episcopal moderator of the OCA Department of History and Archives and chairman of the OCA’s Canonization Commission.

In 1995, Bishop Gregory was elevated to the rank of archbishop by the Holy Synod of Bishops of the Orthodox Church in America. Later that year, after 22 years of fruitful archpastoral service in the Diocese of Alaska, he retired due to failing health.

After the fall of communism, Archbishop Gregory was reunited with his brother after nearly 50 years of separation, when his brother visited him in the US. Later, His Eminence was also able to travel to Russia and Ukraine.

Funeral services for His Eminence, Archbishop Gregory will be celebrated at the Nativity of the Holy Virgin Church, 316 Cassville Rd., Jackson, NJ. On Friday, April 18, 2008, at 6:00 p.m., His Grace, Bishop Tikhon of Philadelphia and Eastern Pennsylvania will preside at the Funeral Service for a Hierarch. On Lazarus Saturday, April 19, His Beatitude, Metropolitan Herman, will preside at the hierarchical Divine Liturgy at 9:00 a.m. Interment will follow in the parish cemetery.

Congratulations to the newly crowned in the Holy Marriage Demur and Natalia Lukas.