of thanks and gratitude to Bishop Mark on this last weekend of his official capacity as a Bishop in the Antiochian Archdiocese. I am grateful for your listening and your care. I appreciate the fact that you didn’t ignore the little or the distant churches in your diocese. I am glad that I never felt like I was a tool in your greater plan. I am impressed by your courage. Our loss will be the OCA’s gain and those of us who understand will not forget. Axios!

arises in everything that has happened and is happening in the life of the Antiochian Archdiocese. Is this of Christ? Is what’s coming down, as it were, from the top and what is coming up from below matching the example of Christ? Is how we, and I, relate to each other in all of this full of the presence of Christ? If everyone involved in all of these things were to look in the mirror and see the face they present to the world and each other would it be the face of Christ?

The Scriptures, the creeds, the canons, our polity, the sum of our Tradition, none of it is an end to itself and all exist to assist us in becoming like Christ, to being joined with Him. Outside of that purpose they can easily become grotesque caricatures. We, too, can become deformed from the image of Christ to the extent we lose touch with, and live outside of, this truth.

In the end seeking to know where our Lord is in all of this and seeking to be what and who He would have us be will be the only right path through and out of what is happening. Choose it and these events, hard as they are, will be a tough but needed step forward. Ignore this and the days, months, and years ahead will be full and overwhelming with dark potentials.

For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding [and] eternal weight of glory;

2 Corinthians 4:17

The St. Nikolai (Velimirovich) Bishop of Zhica Clergy Brotherhood of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Diocese of Toledo and the Midwest

Behold how good and pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity . . . (Ps. 133:1)

Liturgical Resources: http://litresswraoc.networks-now.net/

Dear to God,

Beloved brethren, as there are many rumors floating around regarding the recent Synod Meeting in Jacksonville, FL; I feel it necessary to clarify a few points. Yes, our Bishops discussed at length my service in the Diocese of Toledo, after which, the decision of Metropolitan Philip was to move me to the North West.

As I already struggle with seasonal affective disorder, I felt a move to the NW would be a detriment to my health and asked for a release to the OCA no later than by the year’s end. This will allow me opportunity to discuss reception into the OCA with the OCA synod and begin the search for housing and pack.

His eminence metropolitan Philip was agreeable to this and I will continue to visit the parishes of the Diocese until I am released. At present, I am planning to go to the OCA’s synod meeting in Syosset, NY November 15-19. I ask your God-pleasing prayers for a productive Synod Meeting.

You will be receiving the new guidelines for the Hierarchs of the AOCANA shortly. Our respective Bishops will continue to be commemorated. Let us move forward in peace and brotherly love.

Yours in Christ,

+Bp Mark

Please remember our diocesan missions in your parish’s charitable giving. If there is a mission in your deanery support the pastor and his work as much as possible.

Your unworthy father in Christ,

+Mark

Office of the Diocese of Toledo and the Midwest

2656 Pemberton Drive, Toledo, OH 43606

Office:(419) 9999999; FAX:(419) 9999999; Mobile: (419) 9999999

Subdeacon xxxxxxxxxxx, Hierarchical Assisitant

1 How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord of hosts! 2 My soul longs, indeed it faints for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh sing for joy to the living God. 3 Even the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, at your altars, O Lord of hosts, my King and my God. 4 Happy are those who live in your house, ever singing your praise. (Selah) 5 Happy are those whose strength is in you, in whose heart are the highways to Zion. 6 As they go through the valley of Baca they make it a place of springs; the early rain also covers it with pools. 7 They go from strength to strength; the God of gods will be seen in Zion. 8 O Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer; give ear, O God of Jacob! (Selah) 9 Behold our shield, O God; look on the face of your anointed. 10 For a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than live in the tents of wickedness. 11 For the Lord God is a sun and shield; he bestows favor and honor. No good thing does the Lord withhold from those who walk uprightly. 12 O Lord of hosts, happy is everyone who trusts in you.