Diocese Update - March 2025

Diocese Update - March 2025

Diocese Lenten Retreat & Family Day - March 21 & 22

You Were Created on Purpose, for a Purpose

Join us for an inspiring event on where Michelle Moujaes of Faithtree Resources will share a powerful message about identity, purpose, and God’s unique plan for every young person. In a world filled with so many mixed messages and such uncertainty, this gathering will remind students that they are not here by accident. It will reveal that God created each of us intentionally, with a purpose that only we can fulfill. Friday March 21 at Saint George Church Norwood (Specifically directed to teens and young adults.)Teens and Young adults sign up for Friday here.

Healthy Person. Healthy Family. Healthy Church.

Are you ready to experience true transformation in your life, your family, and your parish? It all starts with following the perfect plan God invites us into! Join us for an amazing event with Michelle Moujaes, Executive Director of Faithtree Resources, as she unpacks how following God’s design for our lives and relationships is the foundation for strong families, vibrant communities and thriving churches. Discover hands-on, practical wisdom rooted in biblical principles and the teachings of the Church Fathers that will nurture your spiritual, emotional, and relational health, and give you a road map to live into God’s design for every aspect of your life. Saturday, March 22, 2025 at St. John of Damascus Church in Dedham. 

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

Sunday of Orthodoxy - March 9

Central Massachusetts: Pan-Orthodox Divine Liturgy at St. George Cathedral in Worcester
Boston area: Vespers at St. Sava Cathedral in Cambridge
see flyers below for more details

Connect Lenten Retreat - March 14-15

Join us in the mountains of New Hampshire for a special overnight retreat at the St. Methodios Faith and Heritage Center where fellowship, faith and fun are the showcase! Where our keynote speaker, Fr. Seraphim Solof will be leading a discussion about: "Living Out Your Christian Vocation in a Secular World"

Rooms are on a first come, first serve basis. A shared (Double occupancy) room is $125 and includes 3 meals, a bed, the keynote speaker and breakout sessions. A single (single occupancy room) is $190 and includes 3 meals, a room, the keynote speaker and breakout sessions. A Saturday only session is $70 and includes breakfast and lunch, the keynote speaker, and breakout sessions.

Join our WhatsApp for more information and future event:
https://chat.whatsapp.com/HycegjNEwPE9XefoJhDVYN

Registration Link: 
https://onrealm.org/StSpyridonGreek43928/PublicRegistrations/Event?linkString=mMzZjE5YTAtZjlkNi00N2VlLThkODItYjI3NTAxNWZiMjNj
*Connect is for Young Adults ages 18-35

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.

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 8-17. 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 

Scholarships for Antiochian Students

The Antiochian Archdiocese shares this listing of scholarships from a variety of sources for the benefit of applicants and benefactors. Contact the benefactors directly for rules, qualifications and deadlines for their scholarships. Please visit the Antiochian Archdiocese website for more details.

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.

Save the Date! Diocese PLC - Saturday, June 21

The faithful of St. George Church in Norwood are excited to welcome you to our annual Diocese PLC gathering on Saturday June 21. We have a full day of events planned to include Liturgy, the Oratorical Festival, SOYO & Antiochian Women's meetings and of course the Bible Bowl. The day will conclude with a delicious dinner under the Big Tent on Atwood Ave! More details and registration info will be available in the coming weeks. We look forward to seeing you in June!

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!

  • March 9: Sunday of Orthodoxy
  • March 11: Diocese Council Meeting
  • March 14-15: Connect Young Adult Lenten Retreat
  • 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 6-8: St. George Worcester Middle Eastern Festival
  • 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 Lennox, MA

Are other leaders from your parish on this monthly email list?

In an effort to increase communication throughout our Diocese, this email is sent monthly with announcements and events from our Diocese. Please share this email with the other leaders from your parish to increase awareness of the happenings in our Diocese. To sign up for this email, please click this link:
https://antiochian.us7.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=5ad87d26ad4719ed09d747b2b&id=d114d24719

Parish News

To find out more about what is happening locally at each Parish, please click on the links below to each parish's website.

Emmanuel Church, Brookfield
St. Euphemia Mission, Rockland, Maine
St. John of Damascus Church, Dedham
St. George Cathedral, Worcester
St. George Church, Lawrence
St. George Church, Lowell
St. George Church, Norwood
St. George Church, West Roxbury
St. Mary Church, Cambridge
St. Mary Church, Pawtucket
St. Michael Church, Cotuit
St. Stephen Church, Ludlow