(Dallas, TX) His Eminence has blessed a DOS-wide effort to help Bishop-elect Jonah set up his new home.

Click here for more details.

(Dallas, TX) With the blessing of His Eminence, Archbishop Dmitri, the International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) is asking for the help of all members of the DOS and the Orthodox Church in America to assist those who have been impacted by the recent hurricanes in the USA.


Dearly Beloved in the Lord:

The recent hurricane to hit Texas has again reminded us how powerful are the forces of nature, how fragile life is and how quickly those things we think we possess can disappear.

The Orthodox Church continues to be blessed by dedicated men and women who represent IOCC. Their qualified and professional emergency response staff and volunteers are currently in Texas to assess post-hurricane Ike damage and to determine whether or not IOCC has the resources necessary to assist our Orthodox brothers and sisters in the area as well as the non-Orthodox.

Our financial support at this time will make it possible for people who have lost everything to start rebuilding their lives. In addition to our financial support IOCC is encouraging us to package and ship IOCC Emergency Relief Kits. People are in dire need of these kits which in the past have proven to be one of the most useful items for people recovering from a disaster. Preparing these kits is a tangible way for us to reach out to others directly impacted by hurricane Ike.

I encourage you to join hands with IOCC and take advantage of their experience in emergency response so that we can do our part to help those in need.

With love in Christ,

+DMITRI

Archbishop of Dallas and the South
Locum Tenens of the Metropolitan’s See

IOCC Hurricane Relief Donations

IOCC Emergency Relief Kits

(Dallas, TX) As we all know by now, His Eminence, Archbishop Dmitri has accepted the responsibility by his brother bishops on the Holy Synod to be the Locum tenens of the Orthodox Church in America, and specifically of the Metropolitan’s See with the retirement of Metropolitan Herman. His Eminence has stated that his goal is to lead the Church to the upcoming All-American Council so that we may elect a new Metropolitan.

His Eminence, Archbishop Seraphim of Ottawa is now functioning as the Temporary Administrator for the Diocese of Washington and New York. Together with Archbishop Dmitri and other members of the Holy Synod the workload of the central church administration is being administered and coordinated with the chancery in Syosset.

In the midst of these historic changes, Bishop-elect Jonah has arrived in Dallas and is starting to take up his duties as DOS Chancellor. Father Jonah will travel to Florida next week to meet with Archpriest Mark Stevens, dean of the Orlando deanery and Archpriest Philip Reese, dean of the Miami deanery. There will also be a deanery meeting in Miami.

Consecration plans continue to progress for Bishop-elect Jonah the weekend of October 31 and November 1 here. In addition to Archbishop Dmitri, His Grace Bishop Tikhon of Philadelphia, His Grace Bishop Benjamin of San Francisco and His Grace Bishop Alejo, Auxiliary bishop of the Mexican Exarchate will be consecrators. Two ordinations will take place during the consecration weekend, Philip Majkrzak to the diaconate and Deacon John Hays to the Priesthood.

Clergy and faithful from both the DOS and the DOW are expected to attend. A carload of monks from St John the Wonderworker in Manton, CA (Fr. Jonah’s monastery where he was Abbot) are planning on driving out for the weekend. Please check the Consecration Page on the DOS website for the Consecration schedule and travel assistance.

Priest John Filipovich will be circuit riding missions in the Dallas deanery starting this week. He will be making regular weekend visitations to Alpine, TX and he will be working with DOS Mission Director, Archpriest Ted Pisarchuk and Dallas dean, Archpriest Joseph Fester with emerging communities in Round Rock, TX and Clovis, NM. Please keep Father John in your prayers as he travels the great expanse of Texas and New Mexico.

With the arrival of Bishop-elect Jonah in Dallas, His Eminence Archbishop Dmitri has given his blessing for the start of the St. Issac the Syrian Skete here. More details forthcoming.

Talks continue with the Perkins School of Theology of Southern Methodist University concerning the start of the Orthodox Studies Program at SMU. More details forthcoming.

Three DOS priests are on pilgrimage to the Holy Land. Priest Stephen Freeman from St. Anne in Oak Ridge, TN, Priest John Parker from Holy Ascension in Mt. Pleasant, SC and Priest Marcus Burch from St John the Ladder in Greenville, SC. You will notice from the above picture that Fr Burch is either in ecstatic prayer or he is not too sure about the disposition of his mode of transportation!!! Please keep them in your prayers for safe travel. Archpriest Ernesto Rios and Matushka Marta will be off to Russia in October for a pilgrimage paid for by his flock.

St Cyprian of Carthage Church in Richmond, VA has gained occupancy of their new temple and the sale of their old property is going forward. Consecration of the new temple will be early next year.

Holy Apostle Church in Tulsa/Bixby, OK will be consecrated October 3 and 4, 2008. His Eminence, Bishop-elect Jonah and area clergy and faithful will be in attendance.

The Russian mission outreach from St Justin Martyr Church in Jacksonville, FL continues to grow at a rapid pace. 77 faithful gathered for a recent Slavonic Liturgy. Hieromonk Arkady (Migunov) is doing a wonderful job working with Fr Ted Pisarchuk to minister to all the members of St Justin’s.

All parishes and faithful in both Florida and Texas are safe after the recent spate of Hurricanes and Tropical storms to hit both states. We give thanks unto the Lord for being merciful to so many and pray for those who lost their lives due to the storms.

(Dallas, TX)  Working on one day notice due to Hurricane Ike heading toward Houston, Sister Magdalen from the Orthodox Monastery of St John the Baptist in Essex, England Houston retreat has been moved to North Texas where parts of her retreat will be held at St Seraphim Cathedral here, St Maximus Mission in Denton and St Sava Church in Plano this weekend. The original retreat was scheduled to be hosted by Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Houston, but had to be canceled.

Sister Magdalen is the author of "Children in the Church Today - An Orthodox Perspective" published by SVS Press.

The Working Schedule Is As Follows and is subject to change:

Friday, September 12
St Seraphim Cathedral 4208 Wycliff Avenue, Dallas 75219
6:30PM Reader or Daily Vespers
7:00PM Presentation by Sister Magdalen - "Busy Lives, Spiritual Lives"  Question and Answer session to follow.  Refreshments served


Saturday, September 13
St Maximus Mission 2026 West Oak, Denton TX (940) 565-6753
10:00AM Sister Magdalen will reprise her talk "Busy Lives, Spiritual Lives" with Question and Answer session to follow. Lunch served.

Great Vespers for the Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross
Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church  (Program pending will update later)

Sunday, September 14
St Seraphim Cathedral, Dallas
9:30AM Festal Divine Liturgy for the Exaltation of the Cross
12:00PM Sister Magdalen will meet with children Grades 6-12 on the topic "God in My Life"

Time TBA  Sunday Evening
St Sava Church, Plano (Program pending)

(Dallas, TX)  For those who will be traveling to Dallas for the consecration of Bishop-elect Jonah (Paffhausen) the DOS has added travel information including airline links, driving directions to St Seraphim Cathedral and hotel reservation links.

All consecration events will be held at St Seraphim Cathedral including receptions on Friday evening, Saturday afternoon and Sunday afternoon.

Click here to go to the Consecration Page for more information.

Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

The Diocese of the South has turned a significant page in its short but fruitful history. Thirty years from the time of the first Assembly in Miami, Florida the Lord has answered a prayer with the election of Archimandrite Jonah (Paffhausen) to the Episcopacy who will take up responsibilities as Auxiliary Bishop and Chancellor for the Diocese of the South.  It gives me great pleasure to welcome Archimandrite Jonah into our midst.  I pray that in the years ahead he will experience the joy which has been mine since 1978, working with clergy and laymen in the South whose dedication to evangelism is unquestionable and inspiring.

A number of faithful have asked about specific changes in administration that will come about with the advent of Archimandrite Jonah.  Indeed, as both Auxiliary and Chancellor his duties will be quite varied, his schedule undoubtedly demanding.  Archimandrite Jonah will work directly with me in helping to administer the Diocese of the South.  He will in turn work closely with the chancery staff, deans, parish priests and faithful to facilitate our missionary efforts in the South.

With the advent of Archimandrite Jonah come increased possibilities for expanding and strengthening our evangelistic efforts.  Many people in the Diocese have not yet had an opportunity to meet him.  Therefore, let me say by way of introduction that he is a gifted person, eager to serve, who has demonstrated leadership abilities. In addition he is theologically adept, an accomplished writer and speaker and a man of vision who understands the centrality of prayer as well as mission work in the Christian life.  He loves his fellow man and is able to identify with the words of the Apostle, “I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some” (1 Corinthians 9:22).    

We are truly blessed by the addition of Archimandrite Jonah to our Diocesan family.  I ask each member of the Diocese to join me in this welcome and to pray that our Lord will give him the necessary strength and wisdom to carry on with future responsibilities.  May God grant him many years!

With love in Christ,

+DMITRI

Archbishop of Dallas and the South
Locum tenens of the Metropolitan See

.pdf version

(Dallas, TX) In a day of historic firsts, the Holy Synod of Bishops has accepted the retirement of Metropolitan Herman and has restricted the activities of Metropolitan Theodosius as a result of the devastating SIC report released yesterday.  His Eminence, Archbishop Dmitri has been named Locum tenens  “of the Orthodox Church in America. The press release reads as follows
"The Holy Synod of Bishops resolves that His Eminence, DMITRI, Archbishop of Dallas and the South, be Locum tenens of The Orthodox Church in America.  In liturgical commemorations, he is to be commemorated as ‘His Eminence, DMITRI, Locum tenens of the Metropolitan See."

Later in the day the Holy Synod announced that Archbishop Seraphim of Ottawa was named the temporary administrator for the diocese of Washington and New York, the See of the Metropolitan.

Metropolitan Herman did not attend today's Holy Synod meeting nor the meeting with the Metropolitan Council yesterday. He was said to have cleaned out his desk on Monday when he left Syosset.

The OCA website is further reporting that Metropolitan Theodosius has been restricted by the Holy Synod to only participate in liturgical services, when invited at St John the Baptist Church in Canonsburg, PA.

(Dallas, TX) One day after the delivery of the Special Investigative Committee report, the Holy Synod of Bishops began the hard work of reshaping the future of the Orthodox Church in America and the Diocese of the South with the election of Archimandrite Jonah (Paffhausen) as Bishop-elect of Fort Worth, Auxiliary to Archbishop Dmitri.

A graduate of St Vladimir’s Seminary, Bishop-elect Jonah was the abbot of St John the Wonderworker Monastery in Manton, California (Diocese of the West) until his election today. Bishop-elect Jonah will arrive in Dallas September 11 and begin his duties as Chancellor of the DOS. He will continue in that position after his consecration to the episcopacy. A date for the consecration is not yet set but His Eminence Archbishop Dmitri is hopeful that it can take place before the All-American Council in November.

His Eminence, Archbishop Dmitri will release an Archpastoral Letter tomorrow regarding Bishop-elect Jonah to the Diocese of the South.

More news will be posted here when it becomes available.

(Dallas, TX)  His Eminence, Archbishop Dmitri will fly to New York today to participate in the upcoming meeting of the Holy Synod of Bishops and the Metropolitan Council.

On Wednesday, the Holy Synod and the Metropolitan Council will hear the report of the Special Investigative Committee headed by His Grace, Bishop Benjamin. Depending on the results of that report it is expected that both the Holy Synod and Metropolitan Council will react with public statements.  During the recent Town Hall meetings, OCA Chancery personnel have promised that the full SIC report would be made public.

On Thursday the Holy Synod is scheduled to take up their final consideration of the candidacy of Archimandrite Jonah (Paffhausen) as auxiliary bishop to His Eminence. An announcement of the Holy Synod’s decision will be posted on the DOS website when it is made public.  If the Holy Synod elects Archimandrite Jonah, his title would be “Bishop-elect of Fort Worth and Auxiliary to Archbishop Dmitri.”  Archimandrite Jonah will also be the Chancellor for the Diocese of the South. It is expected that His Grace, Bishop Benjamin will release Archimandrite Jonah to His Eminence Archbishop Dmitri this week.  No date has been set for the consecration of Archimandrite Jonah but it is the wish of Archbishop Dmitri that it take place in late October or early November before the All-American Council.

His Eminence, Archbishop Dmitri asks that the clergy and faithful of the Diocese of the South pray for the members of the Holy Synod and the members of the Metropolitan Council as they deliberate this week.

(Dallas, TX) Priest Stephen Freeman, dean of the Appalachian deanery and priest-in-charge of St Anne Mission in Oak Ridge, TN continues to bring the Orthodox Faith to people around the world through his blog “Glory to God for All Things.”

Recently the blog was awarded the “Best Blog by an Individual.” In accepting the award,  Father Stephen wrote,


Each day, Father Stephen writes a new and faith deepening and thought provoking article. His blog is a fresh reminder of the good that the internet can provide in sharing the Orthodox faith and offering the invitation of Christ to “come and see.”

Congratulations and Many Years to Priest Stephen Freeman for all he does to bring the Orthodox faith and Church to those searching for the Truth that is Jesus Christ.

(Dallas, TX)  Archimandrite Jonah (Paffhausen) visited St Seraphim Cathedral here this past weekend to continue discussions with His Eminence, Archbishop Dmitri and DOS Chancery staff should his election to the episcopacy take place in September at the upcoming meeting of the Holy Synod. Archimandrite Jonah’s roles as Auxiliary bishop to His Eminence and Chancellor of the DOS are being formulated in anticipation of his move to Dallas in mid-September.  Remodeling of the DOS chancery office is underway to make more office space for the new Auxiliary bishop.

Archbishop Seraphim of Canada and Bishop Tikhon of Eastern Pennsylvania interviewed Father Jonah last week in Syosset. According to Father Jonah the interview was cordial and frank. If the Holy Synod acts on his candidacy and elects Archimandrite Jonah as Auxiliary bishop-elect, His Eminence would prefer to have the consecration of Father Jonah in Dallas in late October. This, of course, will depend on many factors including the availability of other bishops to participate in the consecration. As details become available they will be shared on the DOS website.

His Eminence will travel to St Anne Mission in Oak Ridge, TN this weekend to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the community. Priest Stephen Freeman, priest-in-charge and dean of the Appalachian Deanery will also lead a deanery meeting this Friday upon the arrival of the Archbishop in Oak Ridge.

During the visit to Tennessee, His Eminence will distribute three antimins to be used at DOS missions. New antimins for Holy Resurrection Church in Aiken, SC, St Basil the Great Mission in Wilmington, NC and Protection of the Virgin Mary Mission in Clarksville, TN will be given. Priest Robert Royer is the new priest-in-charge in Aiken while St Basil the Great is being serviced by Carolinas Deanery clergy until a resident priest is assigned next year. The new Protection Mission in Clarksville is an outgrowth of a military chaplaincy that was led by Priest Peter Dubinin. Father Peter has worked closely with the military group to develop them into an “off-base” community. In response, the Protection Mission community secured a worship location off base, are  tithing to the DOS and will be serviced twice monthly from St. Anne in Oak Ridge with Priest Justin Mathews overseeing their spiritual life.

Another new cleric in the DOS, Priest Philip Kontos is settling into his role as priest-in-charge at St Peter Mission in Jupiter, FL. He reports increased participation at the mission since his arrival and new catechumens beginning instruction. And a big thank you to Archpriest James Mason who has filled in at St Peter’s for the past two years doing a wonderful job of preparing the mission for Father Philip. God bless you Father James and Matushka Patty.

Speaking of new catechumens, Holy Spirit Church in Venice reports 5 new catechumens and record summer attendance averaging 60+ during the usually “low season” in Florida. Venice is also embarking on an expansion program to double the worship space of the church and add a parish hall.

Please keep all of our faithful in South Florida and the Gulf Coast in your prayers as Tropical Storm Faye bears down on them. Reports from parishes yesterday in the area indicate that faithful in the affected areas are shuttering their homes and procuring drinking water and food in the aftermath of the storm.

DOS Mission Director, Archpriest Ted Pisarchuk continues to keep a busy schedule. He visited our mission-station in Baton Rogue, LA to hep in their development. Lay leader, Mark Christian has taken is OCA Diaconal Vocations Program final exam. It is anticipated that he will pass the exam and seek ordination to the diaconate. Mark is a former Episcopal cleric.

Archpriest Joseph Fester, dean of the Southcentral deanery will make a mission visit to our mission-station in Alpine, TX August 30-31. The community there has identified a parcel of land which they are asking the Archbishop to consider giving a blessing to purchase as a site for a future church.  Another Southcentral mission, All Saints in Victoria, TX. continues with its pursuit to build a church on land they purchased last year.

Archpriest Theodore Panchak will retire from active ministry this month. Father Ted was the rector of Dormition of the Theotokos Church in Norfolk, VA. Archpriest Andrew Nelko, currently active duty naval chaplain will oversee the parish’s spiritual life.  We wish Father Ted “Many Years!”

Resolutions for the upcoming All-American Council are still being accepted. Please refer to the OCA or DOS websites for additional information and Resolution forms.

Please keep His Eminence in your prayers as he travels to New York September 2-5 for the Holy Synod meeting and the meeting of the Metropolitan Council with the Holy Synod.

(Dallas, TX) Archimandrite Jonah (Paffhausen) arrived in Dallas yesterday after spending Monday and Tuesday of this week in Syosset, NY where he was interviewed by His Eminence, Archbishop Seraphim of Ottawa and Bishop Tikhon of Philadelphia as part of his candidacy consideration for the office of Auxiliary Bishop to His Eminence, Archbishop Dmitri.

Archimandrite Jonah will spend this week in Dallas meeting with His Eminence and mapping out his future role as Auxiliary bishop should the Holy Synod elect him at their upcoming September meeting in New York.

His Eminence, Archbishop Dmitri asks for your continued prayers for Archimandrite Jonah and all the members of the Holy Synod of Bishops as they prayerfully consider this decision that will impact the future of the Diocese of the South.

(Dallas, TX) Priest William Mills, rector of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary Church in Charlotte, NC  latest book entitled, “Feasts of Faith” Reflections on the Major Feast Days” has been published by the Orthodox Research Institute. “Feasts of Faith” is the latest in a series of books written by Father Mills including, “From Pascha to Pentecost, Prepare O Bethlehem and Baptize All Nations.” According to Father Mills, each book “will serve as a useful resource both for personal reference in conjunction with one’s regular Bible reading and within the context of a parish Bible study.”

For more information on ordering “Feasts of Faith” click here.

(Dallas, TX)  Resolutions for the upcoming All American Council are due by August 15 for Statute changes and September 15, 2008 for other resolutions. Resolutions may come from a parish, deanery or the Diocesan Council. If you are interested in submitting a Resolution, you may download here the necessary information on procedures provided by the OCA Pre-Conciliar Commission. Should you have any questions, you may contact the PCC or the DOS Chancery.

(Dallas, TX) Priest Antionio Perdomo made contact with the DOS Chancery this morning to report that the worst of Hurricane Dolly is over. “Intense rain and winds throughout the night blew down trees and cut power to the entire Valley last night” reports Fr Perdomo calling from his cell phone. “The telephone land lines are out and we are not sure when power will be restored.”

Damage to St George the Great-martyr appears to be limited to some water damage from leaks in the cupola. “Parishioners in Harlingen and Brownsville were hit much harder from the storm with more serious wind and water damage” said Fr Antonio. “We lost some trees on the church property but nothing else.”

When power is restored, Father Perdomo will share storm detail and its aftermath. Please continue to keep all those in the affected areas in your prayers.

(Dallas, TX) Priest Antonio Perdomo, rector of St George the Great-martyr in Pharr, TX, reports that conditions in the region are deteriorating as the Category Two Hurricane Dolly makes landfall in Brownsville, TX.

In his email, Father Antonio shares that upon his return from Holy Archangels Monastery in Kendalia, TX (where one of his parishioners was buried) they were “met by hurricane Dolly. “Here in Pharr at the moment we are having pleasant rains, but that will change within the next couple of hours. It is a category two hurricane at the moment with sustained winds up to 100 miles per hour in places and they expect we could get as much as 15" of rain. Hoping that the emergency response teams will not have be mobilized in this area.”

Please keep Father Perdomo and his family, the parishioners of St George and all those affected by the storm in your prayers. We will keep you posted with any updates we receive.

Latest news link

(Dallas, TX) In an on-going effort to keep all members of the DOS informed on the finances of the diocese, Mr. Milos Konjevich, DOS Treasurer today released the six-month financial reports for the Diocese of the South.

The Reports can be downloaded here.

If you have any questions, it is our expectation that you will please contact Mr. Konjevich at 214-522-4149 or by email at dosmilos@gmail.com

It is frequently the case that Orthodox theology uses the word “fullness” to describe its understanding and life of the gospel. This is a far more apt expression than simply saying “we have the truth.” Fullness, I think, better describes something. Truth, in our modern vocabulary, can mean something quite flat - as in a correct answer on a test. However, “fullness” describes not only the truth but the truth with an embodiment, the life of grace, but life as it is lived. The truth, but as it is incarnate.

Part of the celebration in which I participated during this last week, was a recognition on the part of the Diocese of the South (OCA) of a fullness - most particularly as we have experienced in the life and ministry of our Archbishop DMITRI. It is a recognition that for 30 years, the diocese has been formed and shaped by someone whose primary concern has been for the fullness of the faith and its embodiment, both in himself and in his priests, and not simply a concern for the machinery of the diocese.

Most of the priests of the diocese have been ordained by him, and their ministries have been formed and shaped by this living model we have before us.

It is the case in Orthodoxy, that when we speak of Holy Tradition, that, although we mean the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit in the Church, we also mean that presence as it is mediated to us in the liturgical life of the Church, in our communion with God, and as embodied in our midst through the ministries which God has set among us. Without the gospel expressed in a life, it is only the gospel as an idea - some abstract. It is the incarnation of the gospel in the ministries in which God has set in His Church that saves us from the obscurity of the Gospel as mere “idea.” Anybody can preach an idea - but an idea that has become incarnate is a different thing. The life itself says more than words, and it gives to its words a meaning that the words would never have by themselves.

That is the experience of the Diocese of the South. We have both heard the Gospel, but it has also been enfleshed among us. I am challenged by the humility of Christ because I have lived with the meekness of my Archbishop.

This, of course, is the great crisis of Christianity. It’s modern temptation is to be reduced to ideas and slogans. Indeed, this has often been its temptation during times of safety. By the grace of God, monastics and other Christians of serious commitment have rescued the gospel from the mediocrity of mere idealism.

Humility is a difficult task, as is the kindness of a good heart. I have never known anything else from my father in God.

I know that “God resists the proud,” and I have seen this illustrated amply in my years of ministry. I know what it is for God to resist my own pride or the pride of a parishioner. I have seen Him resist the pride of those who believe that their titles “entitles” them to something - which is simply not true.

We honored 30 years of the gospel enfleshed in the Diocese of the South last Thursday night at a banquet. We also celebrated the possibility of an Auxiliary Bishop (Jonah Paffhausen) who is himself a model of meekness.

Orthodoxy faces many deep challenges in the modern world. Some of them are brought on us by both the abuses of the past century as well as the new challenges of the present century. Our ecclesiology, which is never more than love (a canon cannot produce the Church), is and will be tested to the maximum. But the world is not hungry for the Canons or for pride of place, but for the self-sacrificing love of Christ and the fullness of His emptiness on the Cross.

The way forward for Orthodoxy in America will only be through the Cross, God help us. But there is no other way forward for anyone, ever, anywhere.

The Cross is the emptiness of God, but also His fullness. The Church will truly embody that fullness only as it embraces the emptiness set before us.

I am only an Orthodox priest with a limited scope of responsibility. I stand in awe of the men who have been brave enough to embrace the Cross of the Episcopacy. I believe that as much as anyone is not more than everyone, they will have to face the temptation to live something less than the Cross. I pray for grace for each and all of them. May God grant us servants of the Cross - crucified Bishops who proclaim the crucified God - crucified priests who proclaim the crucified Christ - crucified laity who proclaim the crucified life of the Gospel.

For this the world has hungered for all its life - for the Crucified life is the only life. May God hear us and keep us. May God give us grace to take up the cross and live for nothing else. Glory to God.

(Dallas, TX) With the conclusion of the 2008 DOS Assembly here attention has turned to the reception and placement of several priests who are being accepted into the DOS.

Priest Philip Kontos, 2008 graduate of STS will be assigned to St Peter the Apostle Mission in Jupiter Florida effective in August. Priest Robert Royer has been released from the OCA Bulgarian Diocese and will be the new pastor of Holy Resurrection Church in Aiken, SC effective September 1. Priest Paul Coats, 2008 graduate of SVS is being assigned as second priest at the Nativity of the Virgin Mary Church in Charlotte. He will be assisting at our new mission, St Basil the Great in Wilmington, NC. Priest Basil Henry, ordained at the Assembly, has been released from his attachment to St Mary of Egypt in Norcross, GA and is being assigned to St Luke Mission in Anniston, AL. effective in August. Priest Thomas Alessandroni, retired cleric of the Diocese of the West, has been received into the DOS where he will attached to St Mary of Egypt Church in Norcross and assist in the missionary work of the Atlanta Deanery.

With all these new assignments, we are still in need of more missionary clergy. Our new mission in Montgomery, AL is actively looking for a resident priest. Priest Timothy Ullman is on active duty in the military and thus can be called to overseas assignment at any time.

Archimandrite Jonah (Paffhausen) has been contacted by Syosset to make himself available to be interviewed by two members of the Holy Synod in August. The interview is part of the process of his consideration to be the Auxiliary bishop to His Eminence in the Diocese of the South. As you may recall, Fr. Jonah’s decision to permit his name to be considered as an Auxiliary for His Eminence came after he visited Dallas in April and withdrew his name from consideration for the vacant see in the Diocese of Western Pennsylvania. In May the Holy Synod had no objection to his name being considered once His Eminence made a formal request. In June the Diocesan Council gave its approval as is necessary according to the OCA Statute. Now two members of the Holy Synod will conduct a formal interview with Archimandrite Jonah. If this interview is favorable, his candidacy can then be acted upon by the Holy Synod when it meets. If approved, his election to the episcopacy can take place making him Bishop-elect. His consecration to episcopacy would then take place in Dallas at a time not yet determined.

His Eminence will travel to St Anne Mission in Oak Ridge, TN in August to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the Mission. As part of the weekend visit, Subdeacon Edward Innocent Krieg will be ordained to the Holy Diaconate.

Finally, the 2009 Pastoral Conference will hosted again by St Justin the Martyr Church in Jacksonville, FL on February 10-12, 2009. The Diocesan Council will meet in Jacksonville on February 9 and the DOS Deans on the morning of the 10th prior to the start of the Conference later in the day. More details to follow.

Change within any body or organization can be experienced as sudden and may be accompanied by much fanfare, or changes can take place almost imperceptibly, over time. The first type of change is more descriptive of the feelings that followed the birth of our Diocese in 1978 when Orthodox joyfully received the news of Dallas being named the see of a new “entity” within the OCA. This year’s Assembly pointed to the second process mentioned, quietly indicating future changes for the Diocese, some of which may take a while to occur but which offer much promise for the future.

Assembly 2008 was the 31st annual gathering of delegates and observers from around the Diocese and marked the 30th Anniversary of the Diocese of the South. For some people the Assembly was atypical as far as anniversaries go. There was not a great deal of public reminiscing, recalling the specific examples and deeds of early Church leaders. Instead one could sense the missionary fervor of early diocesan founders, as delegates discussed present and future challenges for a growing diocese.

The agenda for the Assembly included daily services, a Celebratory Banquet, a Clergy Conference with Archbishop Dmitri and Archimandrite Jonah (Paffhausen), a Matushki Luncheon with His Eminence and Fr. Jonah, a Keynote Address by Archpriest Paul Lazor, a Lay Workshop lead by Priest Stephen Freeman of Tennessee, a Young Adults Program organized by Priest Justin Mathewes also from Oak Ridge, a Roundtable Discussion on building programs featuring various priests, a Christian Education Workshop presented by Matushka Christine Zebrun, and a Workshop on Church Finances by Priest Gleb McFatter from Naples, Florida. Without going into detail about every aspect of the Assembly I would like to refer to some of the more telling indicators of the Diocese’s overall future, providing a personal interpretation.

Assembly registration began at 1:00 pm on Tuesday, June 24. A Town Hall meeting was convened at 3:00 pm at St. Seraphim’s with His Eminence Archbishop Dmitri and OCA Chancellor, Archpriest Alexander Garklavs. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss and voice concerns and/or confidence about the direction in which the Orthodox Church in America is headed. Similar gatherings are taking place around the country in preparation for the November All American Council.

Participants generally characterized the Town Hall meeting in Dallas as a straightforward and respectful event. The topic for consideration was important, but by no means did it overshadow the overall work of the Diocesan Assembly. To be sure, many in the South are deeply saddened and disappointed by various happenings in the OCA during the past few years, and these specific feelings were indeed expressed at the Town Hall gathering. Nevertheless, the existence within the Diocese of the South of building programs in various stages of development, the founding of new missions within the six deaneries, recent transfers into the Diocese of enthusiastic priests and their families, the reception of well over 100 converts into the Church during the past 12 months throughout the Diocese, as well as some very positive financial reports, indicate that the active membership of the South desires an ongoing commitment to growth and advancement. Generally speaking, the faithful seem unwilling to allow investigations on the national level – as important as they are – as well as speculations and insinuations, to hinder the missionary work of the Church. It is important to note that Fr. Garklavs was present not only for the Tuesday Town Hall meeting but was on site for most of the Assembly for those who wished to talk to him privately or in small groups about their concerns and ideas.

A Clergy Conference was convened Tuesday night in the Cathedral with Archbishop Dmitri and the Abbot Jonah (Paffhausen) from the Monastery of St. John of Shanghai and San Francisco in Manton, California. His Eminence addressed the priests and deacons present and then introduced Archimandrite Jonah who spoke about Clergy Formation. The talk was beneficial, in and of itself, but the time provided an added opportunity for clergy to get to know better the man being considered for Auxiliary Bishop for the Diocese of the South. His Eminence and the clergy seemed delighted with the abbot’s overall participation in the Assembly and with his words addressed to the faithful at various times during the three day event. The Archbishop appeared very comfortable with the movement toward acquiring Archimandrite Jonah as an Auxiliary, confident that he can help further the growth of the Diocese. Very important, as well, was the overall reaction of the delegates present. More than once clergy and laity spontaneously proclaimed “axios,” recognizing Archimandrite Jonah’s talents and potential for leadership in this Diocese, as well as his desire to serve Christ. If Archimandrite Jonah is named Auxiliary for the DOS the move should be a smooth one; the impact will be felt immediately.

On Wednesday night, after Vespers and dinner, the Archpriest Paul Lazor, Professor and Dean Emeritus of St. Vladimir Seminary and long time friend of the Archbishop, gave a presentation entitled: Mission and Evangelization: The Breath of the Spirit. Approximately 150 people attended the talk, including three professors from nearby Southern Methodist University. Fr. Paul’s delivery was engaging. His topic was chosen to highlight that which has characterized the main focus of the Diocese from the beginning, and to remind those present of the work yet to be accomplished.

Immediately after Fr. Paul’s presentation, Dr. William Abraham from SMU was asked to provide a report (from the University’s point of view) on the formation of a Pastoral School for the Diocese of the South. Dr. Abraham, also a long time friend of the Archbishop’s and of St. Seraphim Cathedral, has been in talks with His Eminence about a local Pastoral School that would more directly address the needs of missionaries in the South. He essentially stressed that the University is ready and willing to share facilities and access to resources with students enrolled in an Orthodox Christian Course of Studies connected to SMU, and more specifically to Perkins School of Theology. There are those at Southern Methodist who are eager to have an Orthodox presence on campus – in terms of both Orthodox students and professors – and they would like to see the Pastoral School initiated by the fall of 2009. Time will tell.


In addition to the above, a record diocesan budget was passed by Assembly delegates: over $800,000.00. An extended, development needs budget was also approved, adding another $120,000 for an overall possible expenditure total of close to one million dollars in 2009. What adds to the importance of this and future diocesan budgets is that a minimum of 25% of the total budget will be allotted for assistance to missions with building programs and to those with specific plans for parish development. It can be stressed, however, that the assistance is not given as “charity.” In other words the amount available to help communities is looked upon as an “investment” in parishes that are moving forward and that have demonstrated a desire to grow and the ability to put plans into effect.

I would like to quote a visitor to this year’s Assembly who has been involved with missionary work over the years in another part of the country. This person, after looking at the vision of the DOS and its commitment to growth as demonstrated by the financial reports, said, “I was and am proud of the work that we are doing with missions, but you, here in the South, are years ahead of us.” This says a great deal about the future for the Orthodox Church in this Diocese.

And finally, I must refer again to the energy of the Assembly participants. We started each gathering with, “O Heavenly King, the Comforter, the Spirit of Truth…come and abide in us…” and the Holy Spirit’s action within this gathering was unmistakable, in spite of our admitted sins and weaknesses. The delegates possessed a specific focus and drive; they seemed very much aware of themselves as people with a responsibility, as “a people” consecrated for a particular task: to preach the full Gospel of Jesus Christ. It was coincidence that the Assembly commemorating the 30th Anniversary of the Diocese was convened just before the Sunday of All Saints of America. The timing of the Council, perhaps, could not have been better, for we came out of this gathering and were immediately challenged to follow in the spiritual legacy provided by St. Herman of Alaska, St. Innocent and others. We were challenged by their example to come out of our “comfort zones” and to become incarnations of the Gospel so that, as St. Seraphim said, “thousands around us will be saved.”

(Dallas, TX) On the eve of the commemoration of All Saints of North America, Abbot Jonah (Paffhausen) the supported candidate of His Eminence, Archbishop Dmitri and the DOS Diocesan Council for the position of Auxiliary bishop of the DOS, recently presented a paper on the topic of Episcopacy, Primacy and the Mother Churches: A Monastic Perspective, at the Conference of the Fellowship of Ss. Alban and Sergius. The Conference was held June 4-8, 2008 at St. Vladimir's Seminary.

The paper pays particular attention to the extraordinary reality of this topic as it relates to the Orthodox Church here in North America.

To read the complete paper, click here to download.

Audio version provided by Ancient Faith Radio. Click here

(Dallas, TX) The last full day of the 31st DOS Assembly began with the celebration of daily matins by Hieromonk John (Anderson) abbot of St Michael Skete in Canones, NM. After breakfast the first plenary session was called to order by His Eminence, Archbishop Dmitri after the singing of “O Heavenly King.”

The morning plenary session focused on two major areas, the financial reports presented by DOS Treasurer, Milos Konjevich, which included the presentation of the 2009 DOS Budget. As previously reported here, the DOS Diocesan Council amended the proposed budget by $10,000 increasing the line items for bishops’ travel. In his presentation, Mr. Konjevich pointed to the explosive growth in tithes in the DOS since 2006. This growth has made it possible for the DOS to dramatically increase support to missions and for parish development. Such “expenditures” as denoted in the budget report are, as one delegate noted, “are not really expenditures at all, rather they are investments in missions and parishes helping to promote their growth.” These investments/expenditures are booked against the community as a debit but the debit is then paid back by the tithes the community offers to the DOS. As Mr. Konjevich noted, “the debit has a finite amount and the paid back is a finite period of time, but the tithe is 'forever'.” This close connection between the parishes and missions with the diocese continues to build trust and is making it possible for DOS communities to inspire their faithful to do more to build up the local church.

One example of this working relationship between the DOS and a mission is Holy Ascension in Mt. Pleasant, SC. Holy Ascension was a beneficiary of an OCA Church Planting Grant. It also received a DOS Planting Grant. In the last 8 years, Holy Ascension received $30,417 from the DOS. In that same period Holy Ascension Tithed $33,028 to the DOS. The result is a full-time priest, a new Church built and consecrated and a growing parish in the suburbs of Charleston, SC. This same type of support is being given to other missions and parishes in the DOS.

This and other examples of “the diocese serving the parishes” can be one important reason why the DOS Tithe Income has grown since 2004 as follows:

2004 $275,245
2005 $298,600
2006 $404,826
2007 $522,686

DOS Tithe Income in 2008 is projected to exceed the $500,000 level once again.

After discussion, the 2009 DOS Budget was approved as presented by the Diocesan Council.

Before breaking for lunch, Mr. Gary Popovich the lay representative to the Metropolitan Council gave his report to the Assembly. Mr Popovich informed the Assembly of the personnel changes that have been made in Syosset, the cost cutting measures that have taken place, and his general impression that the new team at the Syosset chancery are doing a good job. He was realistic in saying that the new Syosset structure in place will have to be tested over time to see how effective it will be, but that those in place are dedicated to their jobs. He especially praised the work of Father Michael Tassos, the OCA Treasurer for his diligent work in bringing the financial records of Syosset in order.

Mr. Popovich also shared with the Assembly that the Metropolitan Council is now a much more engaged group with direct oversight for finances and personnel in Syosset as well as direct oversight to the several legal issues currently being faced by Syosset.

After the lunch break, Mr Nicholas Chakos, IOCC Development Director and Father David Rucker, Associate Director for OCMC made presentations to the Assembly. Both made convincing arguments for the parishes and faithful of the DOS to support the unique work being done by each of these outstanding ministries of the Orthodox Church here in North America.

The Metropolitan Council report continued with Archpriest Philip Reese bringing the Assembly delegates and observers up-to-date on the work of the OCA Special Investigative Committee of the Metropolitan Council, of which he is a member. He stated that the work of the SIC is coming to a close and that the hard work of writing the SIC report will soon begin in time for its presentation to a joint meeting of the Holy Synod of Bishops and the Metropolitan Council in late August. The SIC has set a deadline of August 15 to finish all their work. One delegate in response to Father Philip’s presentation stated that he hopes “the SIC report will be made public as soon as it is delivered to the Holy Synod and Metropolitan Council."

In the aftermath of both Mr Popovich’s and Father Reese’s reports, the consensus of the Assembly seemed to be summarized by the comments of Abbot Jonah (Paffhausen) when he said that once the report is made public, it will important for us to digest the findings of the Committee, learn from it and work very hard to begin the healing process so that the work we are called to be doing here in North America can done with a renewed spirit of of dedication to Christ.

The sober and honest reports and the efforts of both Father Reese and Mr. Popovich were gratefully received by His Eminence and the Assembly delegates and observers.

Reports from the two DOS monastic communities were made followed by the DOS deans fielding questions about their reports.

By Statute, the Assembly was presented the unanimous decision of the DOS Diocesan Council to support the nomination of Archimandrite-elect Jonah (Paffhausen) as Auxiliary bishop to His Eminence, Archbishop Dmitri. The Assembly itself affirmed the decision by saying “AXIOS” to the vote of the Diocesan Council. As reported to the Diocesan Council, but overlooked at sharing with the Assembly, His Eminence intends to name Abbot Jonah, DOS Chancellor while he also serves as the Archbishop’s Auxiliary Bishop.

His Eminence will write Metropolitan Herman and the secretary of the Holy Synod, Archbishop Seraphim on Monday officially informing them of the decision of the DOS Diocesan Council so that the process begun by the DOS Diocesan Council decision can be accepted and responded to by the Holy Synod.

The site for the 2009 Assembly will be Atlanta, GA with both OCA Atlanta area parishes St Mary of Egypt and St John the Wonderworker acting as co-hosts. The site for the 2009 DOS Pastoral Conference will be Jacksonville, FL with St Justin Martyr Church the host parish.

Elections to the DOS Diocesan Council and Metropolitan Council also took place. Archpriest Philip Reese and Mr Gary Popovich were re-elected to another term on the Metropolitan Council. Each deanery held a caucus to elect their respective lay members to the Diocesan Council. All current members were re-elected except for the lay member from the Central (Orlando) Florida deanery. That seat is vacant and will be filled by means of an election conducted by that deanery at a later date.

Before the closing of the Assembly, the chair heard from one delegate who voiced his concern that the Assembly “rushed through the budget review process and that he felt uneasy about asking a question.” Another delegate expressed his discomfort in the awkward situation in which the Holy Spirit parish in Venice, FL still employes as its lay administrator, the former OCA chancellor. His Eminence stated to the Assembly his previous comments about the situation in Venice and although the status of the former OCA chancellor has changed since he first entered the DOS, he gave the impression that work being done in the Venice parish (and reported in the Venice parish in the deanery report of the South (Miami) Florida deanery) is very positive.

The chair encouraged the delegates to appreciate that the DOS website and the information presented on it is not “one-way” communication but rather the means by which members of the DOS can communicate with the DOS chancery. Such “two-way” communication is needed if we are to listen and learn from each other so that we can all do our appointed work better in building up the Church.

After the second plenary session was adjourned, daily Vespers were served and the Assembly concluded with the Grand Banquet honoring the 30th Anniversary of the DOS and, in anticipation, the 85th birthday of His Eminence, Archbishop Dmitri. The banquet keynote speaker was Archpriest Paul Lazor who reminded the gathered how fortunate they are to have such a dedicated Archpastor who has given his entire life to the work of spreading to Gospel. After the presentation of a commemorative plaque the Archbishop was presented a dozen “Yellow Roses of Texas” calling to remembrance that he too received at the First DOS Assembly 30 years ago a dozen “Yellow Roses of Texas” by the first chancellor of the DOS, the late Archpriest George Gladky.

After a special Anniversary and Birthday cake complete with 85 candles was wheeled into the banquet hall with the singing of “Happy Birthday” and “Many Years”, His Eminence thanked those present for their love and indicated that he is able to rest easier knowing that the work that has been accomplished in the DOS can be handed over--in due time--to Abbot Jonah. His Eminence further punctuated this with his concluding remark that, “I must decrease so that he may increase.”

A slide show of the of Day Three is below.

(Dallas, TX) The second day of the 31st Assembly of the Diocese began with the clergy and faithful gathered around their hierarch at the celebration of the Divine Liturgy. At the liturgy, His Eminence ordained one subdeacon, one deacon and one priest. Subdeacon Paul Hilko was ordained to the Diaconate and Deacon Basil Henry was ordained to the Priesthood.

In the afternoon, the Diocesan Council (made up of one clergy and one lay representative from each DOS deanery) met with His Eminence and approved for presentation to the full Assembly the 2009 DOS budget. Corrections to the budget were made in the area of episcopal travel with an increase of $10,000 to that line-item.

The Council also will create a sub-committee to study the dean’s stipends (currently at $500 per month), as well as study the suggestion of establishing a Diocesan Council budget committee due to the dramatic growth of the diocese in the last few years. Finally a sub-committee may be established to study how to better foster our support for OCMC and IOCC. The Diocesan Council will also name members to the Audit Committee which come from the Diocesan Council.

The most significant decision made by the DOS Diocesan Council was the unanimous support for Archimandrite-elect Jonah (Paffhausen) as the Auxiliary bishop to His Eminence, Archbishop Dmitri. With this vote and the support of Abbot Jonah by His Eminence, communication with the Holy Synod of Bishops can now take place so that the Holy Synod can officially act on his candidacy for election.

While the Diocesan Council met, three Parish Development Workshops were conducted and repeated once so that participants could participate in two of the three workshops. Priest Gleb McFatter, priest-in-charge of St Demetrius Church in Naples, FL and a CPA, conducted a reprise of the workshop he offered at last year’s assembly on Clergy Finances and Tax Issues. This year’s workshop also included an analysis of the 2009 DOS Budget to illustrate points about church finances. Another workshop was led by Matushka Christine Zebrun, a member of the OCA Department of Christian Education. Matushka Christine provided examples of current Christian Education materials available through the DCE. Finally a lively roundtable on Church Building Projects was conducted by several clergy of the DOS who have been, currently are, or are ready to start major church building projects. All three parish development workshops were deemed successful by participants.

After Vespers, the delegates gathered at the Assembly hotel to listen to Archpriest Paul Lazor, retired Dean of Students of St Vladimir’s Seminary. Father Paul’s presentation on “Mission and Evangelization, The Breath of the Spirit.” Father Lazor's presentation will be available online in a few days.

The second presentation was from Dr William Abraham of Southern Methodist University, Perkins School of Theology. Dr Abraham shared the desire of SMU to affiliate with the Diocese in the South to offer an Orthodox Studies Program as part of the SMU Master’s of Divinity degree. This effort is akin to the St Arseny Institute in Canada and its affiliation with the University of Manitoba.

Such a relationship has not only great potential for greater Orthodox academic witness in the South but can serve the needs of the DOS in preparing more Orthodox missionaries, both clergy and lay, to plant more missions in the South.

Day Three highlights will include a wrap up of the two Assembly plenary sessions and photos from the DOS Banquet honoring the 30th Anniversary the DOS and 85th birthday celebration of His Eminence.

 

(Dallas, TX) The 31st Annual DOS Assembly began yesterday with the celebration of the Divine Liturgy for the Nativity of St John the Baptist. Later in the day His Eminence, Archbishop Dmitri and Archpriest Alexander Garklavs, OCA Chancellor led the second of the OCA “Town Hall” Meetings.

In a frank, respectful and honest airing, over 80 DOS clergy and laity shared their feelings and offered their suggestions to the questions posed by Father Alexander dealing with the current situation in the OCA and what Syosset and the next AAC should be concerned with?

Many expressed their hurt and pain over the disclosure of misdeeds yet there was a sense of frustration that Syosset is not fully coming to grips with the scandal. The “breaking of trust with the faithful is still an open wound” said one speaker. Another commented on how badly the entire episode has been handled which has not led to any sense of confidence in those in charge in Syosset.

When the question came to “What should ‘Syosset do” offerings were more specific. One attendee stated flatly that, “Syosset is irrelevant” and must be further reduced in size and scope. Another said that, “the past model of a strong central church was wrong and that Syosset never could nor should have ever thought it could fix the problems in any given diocese or parish.” “The model of strong Syosset and the facade that we were bigger than we were, was wrong.” Echoing this another comment centered on the understanding that, “Syosset serves the dioceses not the dioceses serving Syosset.”

One participant read a letter from his parish which called into question the lack of reaction by the Holy Synod to warning signs that things were going wrong in Syosset - that a perception of a lack of concern or interest by members of the Holy Synod to issues beyond their respective dioceses was alarming.

Another comment centered on the role of the Metropolitan and that a model of a “papal style” Metropolitan and central church governance is wrong. “The life of the Church is in the diocese” not in Syosset.

When a lay member of the gathering asked the question “Why two Metropolitans directly responsible for the work of Syosset during the years in question have felt no consequences” she followed up her question with a stunning conclusion that, “as long as Metropolitan Herman is in power, it will be business as usual.”

This prompted another speaker to state that, “leadership is influence and Metropolitan Herman has no influence. He must retire.”

Others stated that a new beginning for the OCA must start but it cannot unless Metropolitan Herman steps down. “He is part of the past and not part of the solution nor the future” stated another participant.

Another specific suggestion was made that diocesan not parish representation at future All American Councils should be the model of participation. When it was said that the Statute of the OCA would have to be rewritten to reflect this, another participant later offered that the current OCA Statue needs to be rewritten reflecting a limited role for the Metropolitan so that dioceses can be the focus of Church life. This was illustrated when a participant stated that, “if you look at one OCA diocese that asks its members for $37 to support the work of the diocese and $105 to support the work of Syosset, it is a recipe for disaster if not death for that diocese.”

His Eminence, Archbishop Dmitri thanked Father Garklavs for his attentiveness and his willingness to listen to the voices of the members of the Diocese of the South.

After daily Vespers, served by Abbot Jonah (Paffhausen), and a dinner break, the clergy and laity met in respective groups. Priest Stephen Freeman of St. Anne Mission in Oak Ridge, TN lead a lively presentation on the topic “Salvation and the Parish” while the clergy listened to both Archbishop Dmitri and Abbot Jonah who offered his ideas on the importance of ongoing spiritual formation for clergy. Archpriest Paul Lazor - the keynote speaker at this year’s Assembly, also offered his insights on the topic.

Tomorrow, at the morning Hierarchical Divine Liturgy, His Eminence Dmitri will ordain two subdeacons, one deacon and one priest. Later in the day workshops will be conducted and the Diocesan Council will meet in preparation for Thursday’s plenary sessions. Tomorrow will conclude with Father Lazor's keynote address on “Mission and Evangelization - The Breath of the Spirit.” While the keynote address is taking place, Priest Justin Mathews of St. Anne Mission in Oak Ridge, TN will lead a youth and young adult gathering on the theme “Christ is Calling You.”

 

(Dallas, TX) On this date in 1969, His Eminence, Archbishop Dmitri was consecrated a bishop. In those 39 years, His Eminence continues to leave his mark on the life of the Orthodox Church in America and the Diocese of the South. More than "just" a diocesan bishop, His Eminence is truly our Father in Christ as he is the only bishop who's name has been elevated as the Archpastor of the Diocese of the South since its creation in 1978.

At today's Divine Liturgy at St. Seraphim Cathedral, in which Archimandrite-elect, Jonah (Paffhausen) who is under consideration as the Auxiliary Bishop to His Eminence, was present, His Eminence, after the singing of "Many Years" wondered out loud, "What is the definition of 'Many Years!" He went on to say, "I am grateful to God for the years he has given me and will be grateful for as many more years as He sees fit to grant me."

The 31st Assembly of the Diocese of the South begins this Tuesday here in Dallas. The Assembly will celebrate both the 30th Anniversary of the Diocese of the South and, in anticipation, the 85th birthday of Archbishop Dmitri. The Assembly will be blessed with the presence of Archpriest Paul Lazor, retired professor and Dean of Students of St. Vladimir Seminary. Father Lazor, a longtime friend of Archbishp Dmitri, will present the Keynote Address at the Assembly, "Mission and Evangelization - The Breath of the Spirit."

In this 30th year of the Diocese of the South and the 39th year of His service as a bishop of Christ's Church, we the faithful clergy and laity of the Diocese of the South ask God to grant our beloved Archbishop Dmitri, Many Years!

(Dallas, TX)  Registration for the 2008 DOS Assembly will take place at St. Seraphim Cathedral from 1:00PM to 7:00PM Tuesday, June 24 in the Bookstore (old Cathedral). This is a change of venue from the published Schedule. Please make note of this change.

(Dallas, TX)  Mr. Nick Paraskevas, St Seraphim Cathedral choir director,  invites all those wishing to sing during the upcoming DOS Assembly to feel free to do so.  The choir will practice according to the following schedule:

Tuesday, June 24
8:30am -   Assembly Choir rehearsal (until 9:10)
9:00AM -   Hours
9:30AM -   Divine Liturgy (Feast of the Nativity of St John the Baptist)
4:15pm -    Assembly Choir rehearsal (until 4:45)
5:00PM -   Vespers at Cathedral

Wednesday, June 25
8:00am -  Assembly Choir rehearsal (until 8:45)
8:30AM -  Hours
9:00AM
-  Hierarchical Divine Liturgy (Ordinations of Dn. Basil Henry to the
Priesthood and Subdeacon Paul Hilko to the Diaconate)
4:15pm  -  Assembly Choir rehearsal (until 4:45)
5:00PM -  Vespers

Thursday, June 26
8:00AM -  Matins
4:00pm -  Assembly Choir rehearsal (until 4:20)
4:30PM -  Vespers

Friday, June 27
8:30am -  Assembly Choir rehearsal (until 9:15)
9:00AM -  Hours
9:30AM -  Divine Liturgy (St Joanna the Myrrhbearer and St Sampson the Hospitable)

(Dallas, TX) With the deadline of the upcoming DOS Assembly looming, iconographer Vladimir Grygorenko completed the latest phase of the 8 year Cathedral iconography project last week with the dome of St Seraphim Cathedral.

"All that is left is the narthex" commented Mr. Grygorenko, "with Old Testament scenes. That final phase should begin in several months."

But for now, the altar and nave are complete and participants to the 31st Annual Assembly of the Diocese of the South will be able to see the finished work.

The Assemby begins next Tuesday. The Divine Liturgy for the Nativity of the St John the Baptist will be celebrated that day. A Hierarchial Liturgy will be celebrated on Wednesday with ordinations to the Priesthood of Deacon Basil Henry and to the Diaconate of Paul Hilko and then on Friday the Divine Liturgy will again be celebrated for those still in Dallas before returning home.

Please check the 2008 Assembly page on this website for the Assembly Schedule and all the latest Assembly reports.

(Dallas, TX) In preparation for the upcoming OCA All American Council in November a series of "Town Hall" meetings are taking place across North America to allow the faithful of the Church to speak out concerning the current life of the OCA. The parameters of the "Town Hall" meetings are presented on the OCA website.

Archpriest Alexander Garklavs, OCA Chancellor, will lead the "Town Hall" meeting which will be held at St Seraphim Cathedral on Tuesday, June 24 starting at 3:00PM and concluding with Vespers at 5:00PM. Father Garklavs will also be present at the DOS Assembly the entire week and will be available to listen to any other input from DOS faithful.

His Eminence, Archbishop Dmitri would like to encourage as many people as possible to participate at the "Town Hall" meeting next Tuesday or speak with Fr Garklavs during the week of the Council.

It is not necessary to be registered for the Assembly to participate in the "Town Hall" meeting.

(Dallas, TX) The deadline for reservations for the DOS Assembly Banquet is MONDAY, JUNE 23. If your parish has registered for the Assembly, your registration includes one clergy and one lay banquet ticket for the $175 registration fee. If you have not registered for the Assembly, you must do so by this Thursday to secure a ticket for the banquet. If you have any questions, please call the DOS Chancery at 214-522-4149 or email at the DOS Chancery

To download the Banquet Reservation Form or other Assembly Forms, click here

"The feast of the descent of the Holy Spirit." I say these words I've known since childhood, and all at once they strike me as if I'm hearing them for the first time. Yes, from the time I was a child I knew that ten days following the Ascension, meaning fifty days after Pascha, Christians from time immemorial celebrated and continue to celebrate the descent of the Holy Spirit in a feast known by its church name as Pentecost, or more popularly as "Trinity," the day of the Trinity.

For centuries, to prepare for this feast the churches were cleaned and adorned with greenery and branches, and grass was strewn about the floor... On the day of the feast, at the solemn vespers, the faithful stood in church holding flowers in their hands. These customs explain how the feast of Pentecost entered Russian popular consciousness and literature as a kind of sun-filled, bright celebration, the feast of flowering, a kind of joyful encounter between human beings and God's world in all its beauty and grace.

All religions, including the most ancient and primitive, had a feast of summer flowering, a feast to celebrate the first appearance of shoots, plants, fruit. In ancient Judaism, this was the feast of Pentecost. If in Old Testament religion Passover celebrated spring's resurrection of the world and nature, then the Jewish Pentecost was the feast of movement from spring to summer, celebrating the victory of sun and light, the feast of
cosmic fullness. But in the Old Testament a feast common to all human societies acquires a new meaning: it becomes the annual commemoration of the ascent of Moses up Mount Sinai, where in an inexpressible mystical encounter God revealed himself, entered into a Covenant, gave commandments, and promised salvation. In other terms, religion ceased being simply nature, and now became the beginning of history: God had revealed his law, his commandments, his plan for humanity, and had shown the way. Spring, summer, the eternal natural cycle, became a sign and symbol not only of nature, but of man's spiritual destiny and the commandment to grow into fullness of knowledge, life and perfect wholeness... Finally, in the very last phase of the Old Testament, through the teaching and insight of the prophets, this feast became a celebration directed toward the future, to God's final victory in his creation. Here is how the prophet Joel speaks of this:

And it shall come to pass afterward that I will pour out my spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions. Even upon the men-servants and maidservants in those days, I will pour out my spirit. And I will give signs in the heavens and on the earth...before the great and terrible day of the Lord comes. And it shall come to pass that all who call upon the name of the Lord shall be delivered... (Joel 2:28-32)

Thus, the Jewish feast of Pentecost is a feast of nature and the cosmos, a feast of history as the revelation of God's will for the world and human beings, a feast of future triumph, of God's victory over evil and the coming of the great and last "day of the
Lord." All this must be kept in mind in order to grasp how the first Christians experienced, understood, and celebrated their feast of Pentecost, and why it became one of the most important Christian celebrations.

The Book of Acts, devoted to recounting the history of the first Christians and the initial spread of Christianity, starts precisely with the day of Pentecost, describing what took place fifty days after Christ's resurrection and ten days after his ascension into heaven. Just before his ascension Christ had told the disciples "not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which he said, 'you heard from me..." (Acts 1:4). So in ten days, according to St Luke's account,

When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly a sound came from heaven like the rush of a mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared to them tongues as of fire, distributed and resting on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance... And all who heard were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, "What does this mean?" But others mocking said, "They are filled with new wine." (Acts 2:1-4, 12.13)

To those witnesses who remained skeptical, the apostle Peter explained the meaning of the event using the words of the prophet Joel quoted above. "This is what was spoken by the prophet Joel," he said, "And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh..." (Acts 2:16,17).

For the Christian, therefore, the feast of Pentecost is the completion of all that Christ accomplished. Christ taught about the Kingdom of God, and here it is, now opened! Christ promised that the Spirit of God would reveal the truth, and now this is fulfilled. The world, history, life, time, are all illumined with the final, transcendent light-all are filled with ultimate meaning. The last and great day of the Lord has begun!

(McComb, MS) Priest Matthew Jackson, priest-in-charge of Christ the Savior Mission here not only tends to the spiritual needs of his own flock but is actively involved in three other missionary outreach efforts.

Father Matthew makes monthly visits to St Matthew Mission in Baton Rouge, LA, St. John the Apostle Mission-station in St. Francisville, LA and Holy Cross Orthodox Christian Fellowship in Hattiesburg, MS. “Little McComb, Mississippi has become a little hub for these other outreach efforts” describes Father Matthew. “We have faithful and seekers all traveling the two hours to McComb where we offer our regular cycle of worship.”

Recently Archpriest Joseph Fester, Dean of the DOS Southcentral (Dallas) Deanery traveled to McComb to celebrate Great Vespers and the Divine Liturgy while Fr Jackson and his family were on vacation. “It is so exciting to see people from Hattiesburg and St Francisville at Liturgy and committed to seeing the Orthodox faith grow in their respective communities” commented Fr Fester. “With continued prayer and hard work these groups of people will someday take their place as mission and parish communities in the DOS.”

St Matthew Mission in Baton Rouge has weekly Reader or Priest-led services. The OCF on the campus of the University of Southern Mississippi meets in the Danforth Chapel on the USM campus while the St. Francisville mission-station meets at Market Hall on Royal Street in the historic section of downtown St Francisville.

If you would like more information on any of these DOS missions and outreach efforts, please visit their websites. Both the Hattiesburg and St Franciville mission stations will be added to the DOS website parish listings page.

http://www.Christ-the-Saviour.org
http://www.stjohntheapostle.blogspot.com
http://www.holycross-hattiesburg.blogspot.com
http://ocabatonrouge.blogspot.com/

(Dallas, TX) With the blessing of His Eminence, Archbishop Dmitri and as part of the vetting process of Abbot Jonah (Paffhausen), His Eminence recently asked Abbot Jonah to provide background information and a collection of his writings to the members of the DOS Diocesan Council.

In addition, His Eminence would like the members of the DOS to familarize themselves with Abbot Jonah's writings.

As per the Statute of the Orthodox Church in America,


Abbot Jonah has been invited by His Eminence to be at the upcoming DOS Assembly to meet the clergy and faithful of the Diocese. Abbot Jonah will also make a presentation at the Assembly on the "Spiritual Formation of the Clergy."

To download the writings of Abbot Jonah, click here.

(Baton Rouge, LA) A mission-station in Louisiana needs to move to better facilities and a mission in Kentucky helps them move. That is missionary spirit!

Priest Justin Patterson, priest-in-charge of St. Athanasius Mission  in Nicholasville, KY. led a group of his faithful to St Matthew Mission-station here to help the nacent community move and set up in its new location.

Father Justin reports that, "we raised all our own money to cover all transportation and food costs." A group of seven left Kentucky on May 30th by minivan and arrived in Louisiana late that evening."

The next morning after a good night's sleep the Kentuckians "helped St Matthew's move from their first rented space into a larger and more appropriate, visible, and convenient location," reports Fr. Justin. "We helped move and arrange the chapel, including all the sacred items, did some needed painting and joined hands with about 15 faithful from Baton Rouge to prepare the new space for worship."

On Saturday, May 31, the new space was blessed and Great Vespers was celebrated. On Sunday morning, the Divine Liturgy was served with 30 people present.

After the Liturgy, the Nicholasville missionaries joined their Baton Rouge brothers and sisters in fellowship at a cookout hosted by Mark Christian and his wife. Mark is a former Episcopal priest who currently is in the OCA Late Vocation Program. Mark serves as the local lay coordinator for the mission-station.

"This type of mission trip was hugely successful in terms of forming closer spiritual ties," shares Fr. Patterson. "I would think that this is something we would certainly want to organize again, when the right needs present themselves in another mission situation. I also was pleased that we were able to offer more than symbolic help to St. Matthew's (which is important) but to go a little further and offer tangible assistance as they take the necessary steps to accelerate their growth. This trip was a real joy for all involved."

(Mt Pleasant, SC) The long-awaited consecration of Holy Ascension Church took place on Saturday, May 24 as His Eminence, Archbishop Dmitri traveled here to set aside this temple as sacred space for the worship and glory of God.  CLICK HERE FOR UPDATED PHOTOS

The community of Holy Ascension was founded by Archpriest John Breck (former professor at SVS) in 2001. Father Breck was instrumental in forming the new community and preparing them for their first full-time resident priest, Father John Parker.

The mission was a receipient of an OCA Church Planting Grant and a DOS Planting Grant which helped to promote the growth and stability of the mission. Currently the parish has 55 adult members made up of both converts and "cradle Orthodox."

The new temple was built in a new residential community in Mt Pleasant which is a close-in suburb of historic Charleston, SC. Nestled among homes that are replicas of traditional Charleston architecture, Holy Ascension received the land for the building of the church via a donation by the subdivisions owner and developer.

Mr. Andrew Gould, a local Charleston architect and member of Holy Ascension, designed the new church. Mr. Gould is also designing the new temple being planned for Denton, TX.

We will post additional pictures of the consecration in the next few days, so please check back for updates.

(Anniston, AL) The priest has not yet been assigned. The community is just a handful of faithful. Yet, the vision for Orthodoxy in this small Alabama town off of Interstate 20 midway between Atlanta, GA and Birmingham, AL is inspiring.

Thanks to the determination and generosity of Dr. Carla Thomas and the pastoral leadership of Deacon Basil Henry, who will be ordained to the Holy Priesthood at the upcoming DOS Assembly and assigned to Anniston, AL. 5.3 acres of land was recently purchased which includes two historic mansions.

The two major buildings and carriage house that occupy the land are known locally here as the Hamilton House and the Crowan House. Plans are for the Hamilton House to be rennovated and occupied by Dr Carla and her husband as a joint medical office and law office for their respective practices.

In addition, it is envisoned that the first floor of the Hamilton house will be renovated and be turned into the worship space for St Luke Mission. The adjacent carriage house will be developed into a Fellowship Hall and Classrooms for the mission. But that is not the end of the vision.

The Crowan House which is in better condition, is seen as an Orthodox Conference Center. The structures sit on gently rolling land with stately trees and peaceful surroundings. Yes, the buildings are in need of extensive repairs, but they are structually sound and will accomodate renovations. The land also includes a cemetery.

Archpriest Peter Smith visited the complex along with Dr. Thomas. Father Peter blessed the buildings and thus began the process of their transformation as sacred space for the healing of souls and bodies for the Glory of God.

The Anniston mission along with the start of a new mission in Montgomery, AL and the new facilities of St Gregory Church in Tuscaloosa mark the growth of the DOS witness in Alabama. St Symeon Church in Birmingham is currently investigating plans for building a new Temple to meet their growing needs.

The Orthodox spirit in Alabama is vibrant and the future exciting. We will keep you updated on Orthodox Alabama here on the DOS website.

For additional photos of the homes of Noble Park, click here
http://historichomesnoblepark.com/