WOODSIDE, NY — On Sunday, March 29, St. John Chrysostom Orthodox Church welcomed a large gathering of clergy and faithful from across the New York City Deanery for Mission Vespers, offering a powerful witness to the unity of the Orthodox Church amid the rich diversity of the region.

Faithful from neighboring parishes—both familiar faces and those visiting for the first time, including some of the founding members of the parish—gathered in prayer during this sacred Lenten season.

The March 2026 newsletter from St. Andrew’s Orthodox Camp reflects a season of both challenge and renewal, noting recent facility damage from a burst pipe that was swiftly repaired through generous donor support, while also highlighting upcoming events such as the Women’s Lenten Retreat, Paschal Open House with Archbishop Michael, and a Spring Adult Retreat focused on cultivating peace. It emphasizes the camp’s ongoing reliance on fundraising and scholarships, since tuition covers only part of the actual costs, and outlines future improvement projects, including backup power and infrastructure upgrades. The newsletter also encourages broader parish involvement through volunteering, fundraising, and participation, underscoring that the camp’s mission—fostering faith, community, and spiritual growth—depends on the collective efforts of staff, donors, and supporters.

The Diocese of New York and New Jersey announces the 2026 goal for the Distinguished Diocesan Benefactors (DDB) program: $265,000.

The Distinguished Diocesan Benefactors initiative provides a meaningful opportunity for faithful Orthodox Christians to support the life and mission of our Diocese in a direct and transformative way. Through the generosity of benefactors, the Diocese is able to strengthen communities, expand ministry, and prepare for the future with confidence and stability.

[Wantage, NJ] — On Wednesday, March 4, 2026, the second Wednesday of Great Lent, His Eminence, Archbishop Michael, presided at the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts at Holy Spirit Orthodox Church in Wantage, NJ. This annual gathering brings together Orthodox clergy and faithful from across northwestern New Jersey and surrounding areas for prayer, fellowship, and spiritual renewal.

The faithful are invited to support St. Andrew’s Orthodox Camp at a Lenten soup fundraiser to be held at Saints Peter and Paul Church in South River, New Jersey.

On the evening of Friday, March 6, 2026, the faithful of Assumption of the Holy Virgin Orthodox Church in Clifton, NJ gathered for a special prayer service before the Hawaiian Iveron Myrrh-Streaming Icon of the Theotokos.

The icon was brought to the parish by its caretaker, Fr. Nectarios, rector of Holy Theotokos of Iveron Russian Orthodox Church in Kailua, Hawaii. During the visit, an Akathist to the Most Holy Theotokos was served, with Fr. Terence Baz, rector of the Clifton parish, presiding. Several clergy concelebrated the service and assisted with the anointing of the faithful.

The Diocese will host two Altar Server Retreats this spring with His Eminence, Archbishop Michael, offering altar servers an opportunity for prayer, learning, and fellowship while deepening their understanding of service in the Church.

Two identical retreats will be offered in different locations across the Diocese:

Saturday, May 2, 2026
Saints Peter and Paul Orthodox Church – Endicott, NY
Saturday, May 9, 2026
Holy Resurrection Orthodox Church – Wayne, NJ

St. Andrew’s Camp & Retreat Center invites faithful from across the diocese to participate in the 2026 Springtime Weekend Retreat, taking place Friday, May 1 through Sunday, May 3, 2026.

The retreat will focus on the theme:

“Tools for Developing Peace in a Chaotic World.”

The featured speaker will be Father Peter A. Baktis, who has served the Church for more than forty years in a wide range of pastoral ministries. For twenty-five years he served as a U.S. Army Chaplain, ministering to soldiers, families, and military communities in diverse settings. Fr. Peter currently serves as rector of Mother of God “Joy of All Who Sorrow” Orthodox Church in Princeton, New Jersey.

TRENTON, NJ — During the weekend of March 7–8, 2026, St. Vladimir Orthodox Church in Trenton, NJ, was blessed with the visitation of the Hawaiian Iveron Myrrh-Streaming Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos. The faithful gathered in large numbers to venerate the holy icon and be anointed with the fragrant myrrh that flows from it.

More than 400 clergy and faithful from across the region came to participate in this spiritually uplifting event. The presence of the wonderworking icon provided a moment of grace and consolation for the parish community, drawing many to prayer and reflection.

On March 1, 2026, St. Basil’s Orthodox Church in Watervliet, NY, hosted a Pan-Orthodox Sunday of Orthodoxy Vespers, welcoming visiting clergy and faithful from throughout New York’s Capital District. Clergy and parishioners representing the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese, the Orthodox Church in America (OCA), and the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese participated in the service, which joyfully celebrated the triumph of the holy icons and the unity of the Orthodox faith.

Following the Vespers, all gathered in the parish hall for a Lenten meal and fellowship. The annual Lenten Vespers is organized by St. Andrew’s Brotherhood of the Capital District, a pan-Orthodox fellowship that brings together Orthodox clergy and faithful from across the region for prayer, mutual encouragement, and shared witness to the Orthodox faith.