Sunday October 13, 2024

UPCOMING EVENTS.

• Oct 11-13, 2024 CAMP NAZARETH ALUMNI WEEKEND
  Calling all Diocesan Camp Nazareth Alumni (current and former campers, volunteers, clergy and staff)!! Camp is hosting an Alumni Weekend October 11-13, 2024 at the Camp.
  
  There'll be time for hanging out, hiking, visiting the Gift Shop, for stories and getting to know each other, and for prayer and church services. Entertainment, a guest speaker and an alumni forum are also a part of the schedule. We have a few surprises for you as well! So don't miss out!Come gather together for a great weekend with your Camp family through the generations. Come from all those cities "far and near" to our "beautiful place in among the mountains."
  
  Come to that “beautiful place in among the mountains”, and be together with your Camp friends from “cities far and near”! For More information and to Register Online go to: Camp Nazareth Alumni Weekend
  
  
• Oct 26, 2024 October Retreat at Holy Apostles
  Join us as we explore St. Paul’s teaching on our life as a temple of the Holy Spirit. What is our foundation? What can we do to strengthen it? We will explore how the activities and responsibilities of our daily lives help our structure either by reinforced or weakened. And, as part of our time together, we will do our own personal “home inspection”. 
  
  For more information and registration info, please view the flyer

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

• On the 5th of February, in the Year of Our Lord 2024, His Eminence, Metropolitan Gregory elevated the priest of St. Thomas the Apostle Orthodox Church in Waldorf, MD to the rank of Economos (οἰκονόμος) which means “Steward”, with the added title of “Very Reverend Father Joseph”. With this elevation, he was presented with the epigonation (Greek: ἐπιγονάτιον, literally meaning "over the knee"), or palitza (Russian: палица, "club"), is a diamond-shaped vestment worn on the right side by priests and bishops.
   
  In the Byzantine tradition, the epigonation is awarded to a priest upon his elevation to exomologos (confessor) or the rank of οικονόμος. In the Russian tradition, it is an award given after many years of service. Though a Russian Palitza is identical in shape, and is obviously related to the Greek epigonation, the most literal Slavonic translation for epigonation is actually "Nabedrennik", which is another vestment, rectangular in shape, which no longer exists in non-Slavic usage.
   
  It represents a shield, originating from the thigh shield worn by soldiers during the days of the early church. The epigonation holds a dual meaning. First, it denotes the celebrant as a "soldier" of Christ. Second, it symbolizes the Word of God, fighting the wiles of the enemy. In historical use it was a purse, representing the finances of the Church.
   
  In the Church of the fourth century, the οἰκονόμος was an official responsible for managing ecclesiastical property, under the supervision of the bishop. He was chosen by clergy and laymen who had some experience with the law. In the medieval era, the οἰκονόμος was a trustee and steward of the items necessary for the orderly functioning of his church, or of his monastery (if he was a monk). In Constantinople, during the early period, an οἰκονόμος was a high official in the service of the Church and not necessarily himself in the clergy. At least one Ecumenical Patriarch, Kyriakos of Constantinople (595–606), served as οἰκονόμος and treasurer of the Great Church of Hagia Sophia in Constantinople prior to his election to the patriarchal throne.
   
  Today this is an honorary title to be awarded to presbyters by the bishop for exceptional service to the Church. For their 21 years of faithful service to the parish of St. Thomas, may the Lord our God grant to His servant, the Very Reverend Father Joseph and Pani Elizabeth many blessed years!
  
  
• Become a Distinguished Diocesan Donor:
  We would like to invite you to become a Distinguished Diocesan Donor. Help us to edify Christ by building up The American Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Diocese ministries and apostolates through the Distinguished Diocesan Donors Program. We invite you to view the brochure.
  
  For more information and to donate, please go to the Diocesan Donor website
  
  
  
• Check this space for important information