On Wednesday, November 26th, our parish hosted clergy and faithful from the area Orthodox Churches in the singing of the Akathist "Glory to God for All Things". His Grace, Bishop TIKHON was our main celebrant and guest homilist. Bishop TIKHON reminded us that as Orthodox Christians, we offer thankgiving to God by our life of repentance, and by worshipping Him alone. Following the service, the Altar Guild provided a Lenten meal at the parish hall.  

On Sunday, November 23rd Kenneth Kidd of the Orthodox Christian Mission Center in St. Augustine, Fla. was our guest speaker at the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy. Kenneth shared with us the work of OCMC and how it acts as a resource across Orthodox jurisdictions to bring the Light of Christ to all nations in fulfillement of the Great Commission (Mt. 28:19). He challenged us to take ownership of these words and fulfill our vocation to bring Christ to everyone we meet. Later the same evening nearly 20 of our parishioners joined other local Orthodox communities at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral for a benefit banquet to help support the work of OCMC and IOCC.

On Sunday, November 23rd we celebrated Archpriest Michael Kovach's 90th birthday. Fr. Michael reached this milestone on Friday, November 21st and received a special message from our newly elected Metropolitan JONAH, which can be read here. Following the presentation Fr. Michael humbly reflected upon his Priesthood and the love the he and Mat. Olga have for the community of Christ the Saviour. We ask that God will continue to bless Fr. Michael, as he continues to serve as a model of Christian virtue, patience and love for us and countless others. Mnogaya Lyeta!

Throughout the month of October the faithful of Christ the Saviour have donated items to help in the International Orthodox Christian Charities (I.O.C.C.) effort to bring consolation and material assistance to the victims of natural disaster throughout our country. On Sunday, October 26th our communities young adults, and several other parishioners, assembled and boxed 'Health Kit' items to be shipped to IOCC/Church World Services. May God continue to bless us, so that we in return may be a blessing to those in need!

On Friday October 17 and Saturday October 18, Christ the Saviour parish hosted a music workshop that focused on two-part harmony. Fr. Sergius (Bowyer) of St. Tikhon's Monastery led the workshop, accompanied by two seminarians from St. Tikhon's Seminary. On Friday evening following the Vespers service, Fr. Sergius gave a lecture to over 40 attendees, explaining the importance of Liturgy in the shaping of our spiritual lives. The following morning participants gathered for the Divine Liturgy and a full day of workshops focusing on proper singing techniques and the nuances of two-part harmony. The workshop concluded with the singing of the Resurrectional Vespers service, which consisted of music the group had practiced throughout the day.

Fr. Sergius recently launched a web site dedicated to two-part harmony (www.orthodoxtwopartmusic.org). The site contains sheet music, audio files, articles, and various links offered to the glory of God and the furtherance of liturgical arts in His Holy Church.

On October 4th 2008 a group of 12 pilgrims from Christ the Saviour Church travelled to Holy Protection Greek Orthodox Monastery in White Haven, PA. The sisterhood at the monastery extended Christ-like love and kindness to our group, as we enjoyed the day touring the beautiful grounds, extensive gift shop, and beautiful chapels. We pray that God will continue to bless their ascetical labors and we hope to visit again in the near future with an even larger group of pilgrims!

Michael Kovach celebrated his 65th Anniversary to the Holy Priesthood. Over 30 of those years were served here at Christ the Saviour as an associate Priest. May God continue to bless Fr. Michael with many more fruitful years of ministry in His Holy Church.