On Friday, 20 September 2024, clergy and lay delegates elected by parishes of the Archdiocese gathered together at Ss. Peter and Paul Church in Philadelphia for the Archdiocesan Assembly. The Diocesan Assembly is the highest legislative and administrative authority within the Diocese, and assists the Diocesan Bishop in its governance. The Assembly brings together the various elements of the Diocese to bear witness to her identity, unity, and mission. As in previous years, in addition to the business meeting, the 3-day event will host a gathering of the clergy with His Grace, a formal banquet, and a hierarchal liturgy for all of the faithful to celebrate together. There will also be break out sessions entitled "Sharing Our Strengths: Working Together Towards Christ's Kingdom" and "Religious Education: Awakening the Faith of Young and Old," as well as presentation by our special guest, Father Grigori Pelushi, priest of the Orthodox Church of Albania and Chair of Radio Ngjallja. For more details, please see the Schedule of Events.

The opening paraklesis on Friday morning included the monastic tonsure of Father Dennis Rhodes.  Now known as Hieromonk Danaks (honoring the 2nd century Albanian martyr), Father served our communities of St Nicholas in Jamaica Estates and St John Chrysostom in Philadelphia, and St George in Trumbull since his priestly ordination over 45 years ago. Though he was granted retirement from parish pastorship in 2018, he continues to serve our communities. In addition to celebrating the divine services for vacationing priests or at parishes currently without an assigned priest, he has been elected to serve the Archdiocese at large as the General Secretary of the diocese. A recording of the service is availabe for viewing on the parish's YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/@sspeterpaulorthodoxchurcho1810).

Following prayers in the church, the officers and delegates moved upstairs to conduct the legislative portion of the Assembly. At the conclusion of the "business" session, Father Grigori Pelushi addressed the full body, and then the bishop took the parish council chairs to discuss Sharing Our Strengths: Working Together Towards Christ's Kingdom, while the rest stayed with Father Mark and Grigori to talk about Religious Education: Awakening the Faith of Young and Old. That evening, delegates, observers and the local community gathered together in fellowship at the evening banquet.

On Saturday morning, during the 10am Hierarchical Divine Liturgy celebrated by His Grace and clergy of the diocese, Deacon Juxhin was ordained to the Holy Priesthood. Deacon Juxhin, with the help of the Archdiocese's Theological Student Fund, came to the United States from Albania a few years ago to study at St Vladimir's Theological Seminary near New York City. Upon completion of his studies, he, and his wife Livia, have moved to Boston to complete an additional year-long pastoral internship at the Cathedral before being placed in parish assignment. Please join us live (or watch later) on the parish's YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/@sspeterpaulorthodoxchurcho1810).

Following the Divine Liturgy, His Grace prayed the memorial service for reposed clergy, Priftereshe's, and laypeople who have served God's Faithful throughout the Archdiocese's history. He then honored James Liolin for 55 years (and counting) of service on the Archdiocese's Theological Student Fund by bestowing upon him the Knight of Saint George medal.  Before departing for their home parishes, the visiting delegates were treated once again to a wonderful meal by the hosts, the faithful of Ss Peter and Paul.

Among the Albanian saints, there are special patrons of animals. Sts. Florus and Laurus were early Christian martyrs and missionaries. These twin brothers met their end in Illyricum, probably south of the modern city of Prishtina, Kosova. It is said that the return of their relics to Constantinople coincided with the end of a plague which was sickening horses throughout the empire. Thereafter, they became patron saints of those creatures God has provided to live in community with mankind. The feast of Sts. Florus and Laurus is celebrated each August 18.

At St. George Cathedral, they honored these saints in their prayers in August. His Grace, Nikodhim, brought the relics of these martyrs to be venerated, and after the Divine Liturgy, both the faithful of the community and their friends and neighbors were invited to the meditation garden, where all the animals (and their families) were blessed with holy water.

On this sacred occasion of the Assumption of St. Mary (August 15), the faithful of the Worcester area gathered together to honor and commemorate the blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of our Lord Jesus Christ. His Grace Nikodhim traveled from South Boston to consecrate the Sts. Peter and Paul chapel, placing relics within the altar, and signing and consecrating new Antimensia for the churches in the Albanian Archdiocese. Once complete, His Eminence and the clergy and faithful celebrated the Divine Liturgy upon the newly consecrated chapel altar.