June 25, 2011
As was decided at the 2010 Diocesan Assembly, with the blessing of His Grace Bishop Tikhon, the first meeting of the newly formed Revitalization Committee of the Diocese of Eastern Pennsylvania took place on Saturday, June 25th, 2011 at St. Nicholas Orthodox Church in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. The Committee was formed with the purpose of revitalizing all parishes within the diocese, to foster spiritual growth and to better fulfill our Lord’s commandment to preach the Gospel to all nations.
In its first meeting, the Committee discussed the various challenges facing our parishes and diocese today, which have resulted in a membership decline in many of our parishes. The Committee explored, and will continue to explore, solutions to overcome these challenges. The committee has established a page on the diocesan website where it will post updates and resources as developments occur.
As with any good work, we begin with prayer and we ask for your prayers that God may bless our efforts and bring to fruition the revitalization of our diocese which seeks at all times to do His will. Reflecting upon St. Alexis’ labors in this community, we ask you to pray with us:
A Prayer of intercession for Church revitalization
O holy Father Alexis, pillar of Orthodoxy and chosen vessel of the Truth of Christ, we come to you as one who received special grace from God. You put to shame the tyrants’ deceits by your wisdom, and trampled demons underfoot by your righteous life. Entreat God that we also may be granted this same wisdom and love for virtue. By your intercession, illumine our darkened souls that we may receive the light of Truth and remain steadfast in the Faith. As you once proved foolish the wisdom of this world, so now incline our hearts to the fear of God that we may begin to learn true wisdom. As you once dispelled impiety with the example of your blameless life and refused to walk in the counsel of the ungodly, so now teach us to live piously and to walk in the way of the Lord. As you once returned to the bosom of the Orthodox Church and partook of the Fountain of life, so now help us to guide those gone astray and give drink to those in this land who are thirsting for the water of life. O holy confessor Alexis, beseech the Lord that He look down with mercy on our Orthodox faithful and water with His grace the seed which you planted, that it may continue to flower and bring forth fruit a hundredfold. May we, having been counted worthy of blessings in this life, be vouchsafed the blessings of heaven; now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Revitalization efforts, news and updates will be featured on it's own page which can be accessed from the home page on the top tabs. Click here to view the page.
Committee Members
Bishop Tikhon
Fr. David Mahaffey
Fr. Martin Browne
Fr. Michael Demko
Fr. Timothy Hojniki
Fr. Dcn. Gregory Moser
Jamie Davis
Larry Skvir
Mark Linnehan
Paula Holoviak
William Simpson
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