NEWS ELSEWHERE - DIOCESES, PARISHES, ORGANIZATIONS
DIOCESE OF THE MIDWEST: TRIBUTE MARKING FIRST ANNIVERSARY OF THE REPOSE OF ARCHBISHOP JOB POSTED ON MIDWEST DIOCESE WEB SITE
In commemoration of the first anniversary of the repose of His Eminence, Archbishop Job of Chicago and the Midwest on Saturday, December 18, 2010, a special tribute has been posted on the diocesan web site at www.midwestdiocese.org. Archpriest John Zdinak, diocesan chancellor, has asked that all diocesan parishes celebrate Memorials for the late Archbishop’s repose on the weekend of December 18-19. May Archbishop Job’s memory be eternal!
DIOCESE OF NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY: “JACOB’S WELL” BACK IN PRINT
With the blessing of His Grace, Bishop Michael of New York and the Diocese of New York and New Jersey, the diocesan magazine, Jacob’s Well, has resumed publication under the editorship of Archpriest John Shimchick. The fall 2010 issue, available in PDF format on the diocesan web site at www.nynjoca.org, and sent recently in bulk to all diocesan parishes, includes features on Bishop Michael’s consecration, vision, and plans for the diocese wtihin the context of his interest in th eperson and writings of Saint Paul; diocesan news; parish events; etc. Deaneries, parishes, and individuals wishing to submit articles, pictures, and news should contact Father John at 24 Colmar Rd., Cherry Hill, NJ 08002; .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address); 609-654-4865.
CLINTON, MA: MAJOR EXHIBITION OF RUSSIAN ICONS TO RUN THROUGH JULY 2011
A major exhibition of 37 icons from Moscow’s Andrey Rublev Museum, most never shown before in the US, recently opened at the Museum of Russian Icons, 203 Union Street, Clinton, MA, the only venue for this show. The Andrey Rublev Museum, located in Moscow’s historic Spaso-Andronikov Monastery, is home to one of the most prominent collections of icons in Russia and is named after the legendary icon painter, Andrey Rublev. Sebastian Smee of the Boston Globe calls the exhibition “a show of ambitious and at times drenchingly beautiful icons that will astonish.” The exhibition runs through July 25, 2011. For more info visit www.museumofrussianicons.org/calendar/2010/october/event3.html.
LATEST EDITION OF FOCUS NORTH AMERICA’S E-NEWSLETTER NOW AVAILABLE
FOCUS North America, a pan-Orthodox Christian agency dedicated to serving the hungry, thirsty stranger, naked, sick and imprisoned by providing food, occupation, clothing, understanding, and shelter, recently issued its latest e-newsletter, available at http://focusnorthamerica.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=45&Itemid=213. Featured in this issue are interesting reports on upcoming events in Pittsburgh, Orange County, CA, and elsewhere.
EAST MEADOW, NY: CHURCH SCHOOL BRINGS NATIVITY ICON TO LIFE
Nearly 40 youth and teens of Holy Trinity Church, East Meadow, NY, participated in the parish’s 53rd annual Christmas program on Sunday, December 12, 2010. The program, “A Living Icon of the Lord’s Nativity,” included scripture readings, hymns, a large format “puzzle” icon, and kids acting out the Nativity story.
“Today’s program will be one of those moments at Holy Trinity which I will remember for a long time,” said Father Martin Kraus, rector. “The atmosphere of genuine Christian love and dedication to Jesus Christ through our Orthodox Faith was very apparent.”
Holy Trinity has a long-standing tradition of presenting Christmas programs and pageants, and many of the children in this year’s program are sons and daughters of previous pageant participants. The program incorporated new elements in contrast to previous years, courtesy of a new script based on The Biggest Birthday Party: An Advent Calendar for the Orthodox Family, written by the late Dr. John Boojamra.
The program featured the children presenting the Nativity account in 12 scenes using scripture quotes and narratives, while others placed “pieces” of the Nativity icon into a poster-sized version. Other children in costumes then assembled to create a “living Nativity icon” on stage. Liturgical hymns and traditional carols were interspersed with the texts, which were sung by everyone gathered.
“It was really great to hear so many of those in attendance joining in to sing not only Joy to the World, but also during the Nativity troparion,” said Micki Leccese, Church School Association president.
The program was held after the Divine liturgy and was followed by a festive lenten meal prepared by the parish’s sisterhood. At the conclusion of the program, Santa Claus arrived for another popular Holy Trinity tradition - Santa received gifts from the children.
“It’s an annual tradition at Holy Trinity for each family to bring a gift for presentation to Santa,” said Mrs. Leccese, adding, “He then brings the gifts, accompanied by some of our children, to the Nassau University Medical Center for distribution to children who are currently hospitalized.” This year, over 120 gifts were delivered.
The program was broadcast live on the parish’s web site—www.htocem.org—and a recording was posted at www.youtube.com/my_playlists?p=CDCCDAB38F4CAE9B. - Matushka Dennise Kraus
ENCINITAS, CA: ST. KATHERINE COLLEGE TO HOST KALEIDOSCOPE DAYS JANUARY 20-22, 2011
Saint Katherine College, a new independent Orthodox Christian institution slated to begin classes in the fall of 2011, will host “College Kaleidoscope Days” for high school juniors and seniors at its Encinitas, CA campus Thursday, January 20, and Saturday, January 22, 2011. The event will feature presentations on goal setting, discerning a “good fit” when selecting a college, fun activities, lunch, and more. For more information log on to the college’s web site at www.stkath.org.