Diocese Update - February 2025

Diocese Update - February 2025

Camp St. Joseph - August 11-16, 2025 - Sign up today!

With the blessing of His Eminence Metropolitan SABA, we are excited to announce Camp St. Joseph of Damascus will be held August 11-16, 2025 for campers ages 9-17. The camp will be honored by the presence of His Grace Bishop JOHN, who will preside over the entire session, providing spiritual guidance and leadership to all campers and staff. Subdeacon William Ozone, the Diocese Youth Director, will serve as the Camp Director, along with Assistant Camp Director Soraya Bandeli, and Head Counselors Nick & Nadia Kimmett.

Registration for Camp Saint Joseph of Damascus is open! For more details, please visit our website at www.campstjoseph.org 

 

Connect - Boston Trip: February 8, 2025

*Connect is for Young Adults ages 18-35

Hello everyone! We’re excited to announce second Connect event of the year! On February 8th we will be having a Boston Trip! Our trip will be concentrated in the Lansdowne area starting around 12:30PM, where we’ll be enjoying a variety of group adventures *around Boston (Museums, Copley Center, Newbury St, etc)*. For those in the Worcester area, we’ll be utilizing the commuter rail to get to and from (*Meet at Worcester Station 10:45am)*, if you prefer to drive please meet us in *the Lansdowne area* around 12:30PM. Please see the flyer for the full schedule. Also, for more information and for future events please join our WhatsApp Group chat! Thank you!
 

Faith & Family Night at the Bridgeport Islanders vs Providence Bruins - Feb 15

Join us on Saturday, February 15 for “Faith and Family Night”, as the Bridgeport Islanders face off against the Providence Bruins at Total Mortgage Arena in Bridgeport, CT. The event will feature a pre-game seminar led by Bishop JOHN Abdalah, with guest speaker Rev. Peter Orfanakos (GOA), on the theme "All You Need Is Love". Doors open at 2:45 PM, with seminar beginning shortly after 3 PM, followed by puck drop at 5 PM.

Tickets are $27 plus fees, with net proceeds going to support IOCC’s hurricane relief efforts. Each ticket includes center ice seats, early stadium access, a post-game photo on the ice, and an Islanders hat. Plus, if you purchase your tickets before January 31, you’ll be entered to win exciting door prizes! Churches bringing 50 or more attendees will also receive a special gift basket from the Islanders!

If you’re interested in joining a Pan-Orthodox choir to sing God Bless America or have children who would like to participate in the intermission entertainment, or have any questions, please contact Kyle Laham (kyle.laham@stnicholasbridgeport.org).

Don’t miss this opportunity to be part of a historic gathering of Orthodox Christians from across New England and the Tri-State area. Promotional Flyer

 

Diocese Council Zoom - March 11 @ 7pm via zoom

The next Diocese Council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, March 11 at 7:00 pm via Zoom. All clergy and laity are invited to attend to help His Grace Bishop John in the planning of events for our Diocese. For more information, please contact Bishop John.

 

Diocese Lenten Retreat & Family Day - March 21 & 22

The Diocese Lenten Retreat and Family Day will be held on Saturday, March 22, 2025 at St. John of Damascus Church in Dedham. The guest speaker this year will be Mrs. Michelle Moujaes, Executive Director of Faithtree Resources, speaking on the topic "Building Up Person, Building Up Family, Building Up the Church."

On Friday evening, March 21, all teens and young adults of the diocese are invited to the Akathist service at St. George in Norwood at 6:00 pm. Following Akathist, Michelle will offer a talk to the Teens & Young Adults present. Dinner will be provided.

Registration is open at https://downe25.eventbrite.com
 

Orthodox Parents Network - For Parents of Youth in our Diocese

Billy Ozone, Diocese Youth Director, is starting the Orthodox Parents Network, an organization that empowers parents across the Diocese to take an active role in promoting and supporting Teen SOYO events and Youth Programs. Please encourage those in your parish to sign up using the link to join below:
Orthodox Parents Network WhatsApp Group

Please contact Billy Ozone (william.ozone@gmail.com) with any questions.
 

Bible Bowl & Oratorical Festivals - June 21 in Norwood

We hope every parish in the diocese will have at least one team participate in the Bible Bowl, and at least one person participate in the Oratorical Festival. Bible Bowl Topic: Gospel of Luke

Find out more here: https://www.teensoyo.org/bible-bowl Oratorical Theme: "Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” - Luke 1:38
Find out more here: https://www.teensoyo.org/oratorical

 

Save the Date!

  • Feb 15: Faith & Family Night at the Bridgeport Islanders vs Providence Bruins
  • March 11: Diocese Council Meeting
  • March 21: Diocese Teens & Young Adults: Akathist & Talk with Michelle Moujaes @ St. George Norwood
  • March 22: Diocese Lenten Retreat & Family Day @ St. John's
  • April 5: Diocese Antiochian Women Meeting @ St George, Worcester
  • June 21: Diocese PLC in Norwood
  • June 29-July 11: Session 2 at Antiochian Village
  • July 13-25: Session 3 at Antiochian Village 
  • July 20-27: Archdiocese Convention hosted by St. George in Cicero, IL
  • July 27-August 8: Session 4 at Antiochian Village
  • August 9-16: Special Olympics Sports Camp at Antiochian Village
  • August 11-16: Camp St. Joseph in Lenox, MA

 

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