March 21, 2020 Brothers & Sisters, I wish to share the edifying message and prayer services offered below from a dear friend and classmate of mine from our Hellenic College days, Father Nicholas Palis of St. Nicholas Orthodox Church, Bethlehem, PA. As I have intimated in recent days, the present COVID-19 Coronavirus crisis has imposed a kind of temporary monasticism on us, i.e., our quarantine is something akin to an induced cloister, an ascetic seclusion

 “Now you are the Body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.” ~ 1 Corinthians 12:2 Dearest Steward of Saint Sophia Cathedral, During the early centuries of the Church, local churches were organized with the goal to impact the local community by bringing the Gospel to it.  Everyone in the geographical area would be the focus of the local church’s mission.  Today, of course, things have radically changed, especially with

PRAYER OF PROTECTION FROM THE CORONAVIRUS Brothers & Sisters, During this difficult and trying time, the Metropolis of Atlanta has published a most beautiful prayer of protection from the coronavirus (below). His Eminence Metropolitan Alexios of Atlanta encourages all the Faithful throughout the United States to offer this prayer in their “κατ’οικον εκκλησία,” in their “church of the home.” Whether individually or as a family, I ask you to offer up this prayer before Almighty

ARCHBISHOP ELPIDOPHOROS ANNOUNCES FURTHER MEASURES TO PROTECT THE FAITHFUL RESPONDING TO THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC Brothers & Sisters, Devout Stewards of Saint Sophia Cathedral, Below, please see the most recent press release, in both English and Greek, from His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America. The sentence which demands your most immediate attention is the following: The [community] churches will continue to perform the appointed services [exclusively with the priest(s) and chanter(s)], however the Faithful should pray

SAINT SOPHIA CATHEDRAL COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENT While liturgical services are to be celebrated as previously scheduled at Saint Sophia Cathedral, please see the most recent announcement issued by the Holy Eparchial Synod of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. Thank you, Stay safe, and may the Lord preserve and protect us all. Father Steve GREEK ORTHODOX ARCHDIOCESE OF AMERICA NEW YORK – On Saturday, March 14, 2020, the Holy Eparchial Synod convened via a teleconference to