Met. Tikhon's Statement on PGH Shooting
Metropolitan TIKHON, Primate
October 30, 2018 10/028
To the Clergy, Monastics and Faithful of the Orthodox Church in America,
On Saturday, October 27, 2018, as congregants at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh were observing the Jewish Sabbath, a man of violence entered into their midst and murdered eleven men and women at worship. Before finishing his acts of horror, he wounded several others, including four brave police officers who had rushed to the scene. Reports indicate that this man had the sole intention of killing members of the Jewish community, and that he shouted "all Jews must be killed” while he committed this atrocity. The Orthodox Church in America grieves with the families of the murdered. We pray fervently to God for the healing of the wounded, and consolation for all who are affected.
The perpetrator of this barbarous crime sought to falsely justify his actions with a particular hatred for a Jewish organization that gives support to refugees and immigrants of diverse nationalities, races, and religions, thus fulfilling the command of God himself who said to the people of Israel through the Prophet Moses, “The stranger who sojourns with you shall be to you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself; for you were strangers in the land of Egypt (Leviticus 19.34).” Orthodox Christians have received this same teaching in the parable of the Good Samaritan., in which our Lord teaches us that the "neighbor" we are enjoined by God to love is hidden in the "other," who is a human being of a different nationality, race, or religion.
We abhor and condemn this wicked deed, and reject its false justification. Instead, we offer the hope that can be found in God alone. In Him, we are free from the assault of attitudes and ideologies of prejudice and hatred, fear and anxiety about those who are indeed our neighbors. As we stagger under the impact of the murders in the Pittsburgh synagogue, and as we walk alongside the Jewish citizens of our nations while sharing their grief and their anxiety, we must turn to God, the source of mercy, consolation, and hope.
May the grace and mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ comfort the victims and their families, strengthen the first responders, and bring peace and healing to our communities.
With love in Christ,
+ Tikhon
Archbishop of Washington
Metropolitan of All America and Canada
P.O. Box 675 Syosset, New York, 11791
516-922-0550 - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. - www.oca.org
Statement on Shooting at Jewish Synagogue
The parish of St. Andrew Orthodox Church, Lyndora, extends its thoughts, prayers and sympathy to the Pittsburgh Jewish community suffering from this senseless act of terror that has visited them while peacefully worshipping today.
And in addition we feel in the same manner towards the police who suffered in the line of duty and to their families we feel your pain and unnecessary suffering. Thank you for being who you are to guard and protect.
“May Yahweh bless you and keep you. May Yahweh let his face shine on you and be gracious to you. May Yahweh show you his face and bring you peace." (Nu. 6:24-26) {The New Jerusalem Bible}
2018 Archdiocesan Assembly
TO: ARCHDIOCESE OF PGH AND WPA CLERGY
ARCHDIOCESE OF PGH AND WPA PARISH COUNCILS
ARCHDIOCESAN COUNCIL MEMBERS
ARCHDIOCESAN DEPARTMENT CHAIRS
FROM: ARCHPRIEST WILLIAM J. EVANSKY, CHANCELLOR
______________________________________________________________
Glory to Jesus Christ!
This is to officially inform you that His Eminence, Archbishop MELCHISEDEK has set Saturday, November 3, 2018, as the date of the 2018 Archdiocesan Assembly. This will take place at the Holy Resurrection parish located in Belle Vernon, PA (222 Mary Street). The day will begin with a Divine Liturgy at 9 AM followed by the two plenary sessions. Individuals responsible for submitting reports for this assembly are asked to please forward them to me electronically (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) no later than September 29 so the reports can be forwarded electronically to the parish priests and parish councils for review in advance of the November 3rd Assembly.
A reminder from the hierarch and the Archdiocesan Council - - lay delegates from parishes in arrears for diocesan assessment payments will not be seated at the Archdiocesan Assembly (or afforded the right to vote) in accordance with the Statute of the Orthodox Church in America and the By-Laws of the Archdiocese of Pgh and W PA (OCA). Please contact Administrative Assistant Omelan Mycyk at the chancery (Tel: 724-776-5555 // Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) should you have any questions about your parish’s assessment status; if necessary, he will forward your question to Archdiocesan Treasurer Alexis Parshook.
Thank you.
In Christ,
Fr. Bill
PS: The minutes of 2017 Archdiocesan Meetin can be found here.
Pan Orthodox Picnic
The pan-Orthodox parish picnic will be held on Sunday, September 23, 2018, at Moraine State Park, McDaniels Boat Launch Pavilion #7", North Shore Entrance. Divine Liturgy will be celebrated at 10:00 AM!
St. Andrew's Church will be the host on this occasion and, locum, Archpriest Keith W. Lowe, M.Div., will be the principal celebrant.
We encourage everyone to stay after Liturgy to enjoy a Pot-Luck Picnic. Main dishes (meats) will be provided...we're asking attendees to please bring a side dish or dessert of your choosing to share.
Come join us for a great day of fellowship!
NOTE: There will be NO DIVINE LITURGY AT ST. ANDREW'S on September 23, so, please make the short drive north and join us at Pennsylvania’s beautiful Moraine State Park!!