St. Gregory the Theologian Orthodox Church
Orthodox Church in America
1500 Route 376 Wappingers Falls, NY 12590
4th Quarter, 2022 Diocesan Publication Koinonia
Pastoral Letter from His Eminence Archbishop Michael on Distinguished Diocesan Benefactors
St. Gregory's Christmas Fair on Saturday, December 3

St. Gregory's Christmas Fair returns on Saturday, December 3. All proceeds will go to local charities. Please come and support us.

The parish will be selling various foods and crafts in the church hall. You can purchase pierogis and rolls (poppy, nut, apricot, prune). The rolls will be $10 a roll and pierogis are $10 per dozen as well as other foods. Crafts and gifts will be from local vendors and there will be a variety of options.

Tell your families and friends. Please come and support us in this important local event.

Toys for Tots Collection Due on December 4

The parish is once again collecting for the Toys for Tots program. Please bring your unwrapped toys to the parish hall by Sunday, December 4, 2022.  Thank you.

Collection for Grace Smith House Due November 27, 2022
Dutchess Outreach Coat Drive 2022

The annual Dutchess Outreach Susan DeKeukelaere Memorial Coat Drive sponsored by Guardian Self Storage has begun!  New and/or clean and gently used coats can be dropped off at the church by Monday, October 31 by the Outreach Bulletin Board.

Thanksgiving Basket Program Due Sunday, October 23 - See Sign-up in Hall
3rd Quarter, 2022 Diocesan Publication Koinonia
Choir Recognition Sunday - October 2, 2022
First Fruits October 2022
Red Cross Blood Drive at St. Gregory on October 1, 2022

St. Gregory the Theologian Orthodox Church will be hosting a Red Cross Blood Drive on Saturday, October 1 from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM. To sign up for the Blood Drive go here on the Red Cross Site, go to "Find a Drive", put in the zip code "12590" and find St. Gregory and reserve a slot. We also need assistance on set-up, escorting the donors and take-down on the day of the Drive. For more information see Joanne Chaconis.

Memory Eternal to His Beatitude Metropolitan Herman

On September 6, 2022, His Beatitude Metropolitan Herman (Swaiko), retired Primate of the Orthodox Church in America, fell asleep in the Lord at the age of 90.  He had served as Metropolitan of All America and Canada from 2002 until his retirement in 2008. To learn more about his life go here. Funeral arrangements will be announced on the OCA website. May His Memory Be Eternal!

This Year's Seminarian Intern - Dn. Alexander Earl
Young Adult Pan-Orthodox Conference in Atlanta September 30 to October 2
September/October Bi-Monthly Newsletter
July/August 2022 Parish Newsletter
Diocesan Youth Day on August 20, 2022
Parish Movie Night August 20, 2022

St. Gregory's will be hosting a parish movie night on Saturday August 20 beginning at 5:00 PM. We will begin with an outdoor Prayer Service to the North American Saints (St. Alexander Hotovitsky has his Feast Day on August 20th). We will follow with a parish BBQ (see Fr. Eric if you would like to help) and an outdoor movie The Princess Bride (everyone loves that movie). Bring a chair, snacks and your families and friends. Let us enjoy a wonderful evening together.

St. Vladimir's Seminary Virtual Education Day - August 13, 2022
Orthodox Christian Prison Ministry Sunday July 31, 2022
Second Quarter, 2022 Diocesan Publication Koinonia
20th All-American Council Opens in Baltimore on Monday, July 18, 2022

For information and updates on the 20th All-American Council held in Baltimore from Monday, July 18 to Friday, July 22, 2022 go to the OCA website or here. Pray for a successeful Council of the Orthodox Church in America.

International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) Responds to Hurrican Ian

The International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) has opened up a donation page to assist in the efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian. They already have people on the ground and need our help. To donate go here. May their efforts be blessed.

Archpastoral Letter from His Eminence Archbishop Michael on Pentecost, 2022
St. Gregory Fundraiser for the Parish Kitchen
Fundraising Event for Ukraine on July 31st
IOCC Fact Sheet on Humanitarian Relief for Ukraine
Dutchess Outreach Toiletry Drive
His Beatitude Metroplitan Tikhon Paschal Message 2022
His Eminence Archbishop Michael Paschal Message
Videos from Lenten Retreat with Fr. Bogdan Bucur on April 9, 2022

For part 1 go here: https://youtu.be/aEbovd3y-2A

For part 2 go here: https://youtu.be/Eo2iDHzejlY

 

OCA Synod Issues Statement on Ukraine
Support the International Orthodox Christian Charities Relief Efforts in Ukraine

IOCC has humanitarian teams across the region serving people affected by the tragedy unfolding in Ukraine. Hand in hand with local partners, our staff are reaching those whose lives have been uprooted by the catastrophic events of recent weeks. They’re …

  • Visiting reception sites that are receiving Ukrainian refugees
  • Delivering emergency supplies to welcome centers in neighboring countries
  • Preparing shipments of basics like food, water, hygiene items, and more for transport into Ukraine and delivery to people in need

IOCC anticipates active response to this humanitarian calamity for the foreseeable future—and your generous gifts will help us do exactly that. That’s why we set a goal of raising $1 million in private donations—and because of you, we’re already over $600,000. What’s more, an anonymous donor will match the next $10,000 we raise to help us reach $1 million even faster.

As you are able, please support this work with a financial gift to IOCC’s Ukraine Response Fund. Most of all, we ask for your prayers as we seek to fulfill Christ’s call to service in times of incredible need. Thank you.

Parish Lenten Retreat on April 9.
Pascha Bake Sale. Orders Due March 25.
First Quarter, 2022 Diocesan Publication Koinonia
First Fruits March 2022
Journey to Pascha 2022
Archpastoral Letter from His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon on the Beginning of Great Lent 2022
Archpastoral Letter from His Eminence Archbishop Michael on the Beginning of Great Lent 2022
Statement from His Beatitude Metroplitan Tikhon on the Tragic Shooting in Texas
OCA Appeal for Relief for Ukranian Refugees

Hos Beatitude Metroplitan Tikhon has asked for a special appeal in cooperation with the Orthodox Church of Poland in assisting Ukranian refugees. To donate to the appeal go here.  He has specifically asked for the donations to come from individuals in the parishes.  Please generous to our Orthodox brothers and sisters.

Special Parish Movie Outing on March 21

We are gathering names for the special one night movie on March 21 at 7:00 PM at the Regal Galleria in Poughkeepsie. The movie is called "Man of God" and is about the amazing modern Orthodox saint, St. Nektarios of Aegina. Please sign up on the sign-up sheet in the vestibule or contact Fr. Eric. Sign-up is due by February 27. To see more about the movie go here.

 

Deanery Sunday of Orthodoxy Vespers March 13, 2022
Lenten Outreach for Parish
Diocese of New York and New Jersey Issues New COVID Guidelines
New Parish Guidelines for COVID

Dear Families and Friends of St. Gregory the Theologian Orthodox Church:

Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory Forever!

As many of you are aware, a new mask mandate for all indoor public venues in New York State began on Monday, December 13, 2021. The last guidelines we received from the Diocese was dated May 26, 2021 with an addendum dated June 9, 2021. They can be found at the Diocesan website at here and here. On December 17, 2021, His Eminence Archbishop Michael issued a letter to the Diocese on December 17, 2021 after consulting with the Diocesan leadership and advisors. This letter can be found on the parish website.

As such, the new mandate from New York State was determined to apply to religious organizations. After consultation with the Diocesan leadership, it was determined that parishes in New York State will comply with the mask mandate until such time that further guidance is issued from the Holy Synod and the Diocesan Bishop. As stated in the Guidelines from the Diocese we will not ask for the vaccine status of anyone. However, everyone is asked to wear a mask while in church. All other protocols remain unchanged. For those who are uncomfortable with the single spoon, please contact Fr. Eric for consideration of alternative means. For more information you can see the guidance from New York State. Frequently Asked Questions: Proof of Full Vaccination or Mask Requirement for Businesses and Venues | Department of Health (ny.gov)

We will continue to serve the services and there are no further changes to the parish protocols. We will continue to have coffee hour and we ask that everyone take the appropriate precautions while at coffee hour including wearing a mask until you sit at the table and eat and put the mask back on afterwards. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Fr. Eric.

We will continue to pray for the safety of everyone and for those who are going through these difficult times. I remain,

Yours in Christ:

Fr. Eric

February 12, 2022 Cookie Walk for Mid-Hudson Love Inc.
Nativity Message from His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon
Nativity Letter from His Eminence Archbishop Michael