Our world has changed drastically since 1950... with each decade there have been changes that never could have been imagined ... and yet the most important thing about our beloved Vladyka has not changed across those years:

FAITH

In honor of His Eminence’s seven decades, we reflect on seven ways in which his FAITH has shaped his life … shaped the lives of countless clergy and faithful across the Church … and most especially, shaped the life of our Diocese!

FAITH in the Stories of the People of God …

… taught to pray and to read by his beloved mother, + Ann, who opened to him the Holy Scripture and the Lives of the Saints …

FAITH In the Worship of the Holy Trinity …

… brought to know the Services, to serve the Services, and to love the Services, by his first spiritual father, Father Stephen Dutko …

FAITH in the Ministry of Teaching …

… sent to graduate school as a young priest by his Bishop, the Right Reverend John of blessed memory, who saw a great teacher in his young charge and left as His Grace’s legacy a scholar and a professor in Scripture, Ethics, and Pastoral Theology …

FAITH in the Joy of Giving …

… determined to carry forward the spirit of sacrifice demonstrated by his bishop and benefactor, he imitated that generosity by supporting seminarians, clergy and their families, and parishes in need …

FAITH in the Vocation of Spiritual Fatherhood …

… desiring to guide the souls entrusted to His care toward the Kingdom of Heaven, mirroring the example of the Holy Apostle Paul: “For though you might have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel” …

FAITH in the Imitation of the Good Shepherd …

… zealously guarding, feeding, and keeping his flocks in the safety of the sheepfold of the Lord: “The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. … The hireling flees because he is a hireling and does not care about the sheep. I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own.”

And FAITH in Growing His God Given Talents …

… refusing to squander the skills and strengths God has given him, but to grow them twofold, fivefold, tenfold and beyond: to teach, to preach, to evangelize … to console, to correct, to encourage … that he may be found worthy of those longed-for words from our Lord: “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

Vladyka: We are thankful for your faith … your dedication … your vision for this Diocese.  We are grateful to God that he has chosen you as our shepherd, and us as your flock.  May He grant you a most joy-filled birthday … the happiness of seeing your tireless efforts bear fruit … and many, many more blessed years!

Grant, O Lord, a prosperous and peaceful life, health, salvation, visitation and good hastening in all things, unto Thy servant, His Eminence, the Most Reverend Michael, Archbishop of New York and the Diocese of New York and New Jersey, celebrating his 70th birthday, and protect and preserve him for many blessed years!  "Mnogaya Lyeta!"  “Eis Polla eti, Despota!”