Jubilee Year of the Repose of St. Raphael of Brooklyn
Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America – January 2015
Letter regarding the Jubilee Year of the repose of St. Raphael of Brooklyn, to be read from the pulpit, published in church bulletins and newsletters, and posted on parish websites:
January, 2015
Brother Hierarchs, Reverend Clergy, Esteemed Members of the Archdiocese Board of Trustees and Parish Councils, Department Chairs and Beloved Faithful:
Greetings to you and your families in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I pray you all enjoyed a blessed feast of Theophany.
2015 is an historic year in the life of our God-protected archdiocese. This year marks the 100th anniversary of the falling-asleep of St. Raphael of Brooklyn as well as the 120th anniversary of our Mother Cathedral of St. Nicholas in Brooklyn and, therefore, our Antiochian presence on these blessed shores.
Our father in Christ, Patriarch JOHN X, inaugurated this jubilee year during the celebration of the Divine Liturgy at St. Nicholas Cathedral in Brooklyn on December 7th. Throughout 2015, we will mark this anniversary at various places and locations, including, but not limited to, the Antiochian Village, St. Nicholas Cathedral in Brooklyn, NY, the archdiocese convention in Boston and St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary. Likewise, the theme of our convention and parish life conferences, as well as the various festivals and contests is centered on, and will reflect on the life of this “good shepherd of the lost sheep in America.”
In addition to these archdiocesan events, it is my desire and directive that each pastor and parish incorporate this jubilee year and highlight the life and legacy of St. Raphael in their divine services, sermons, retreats and bulletins, as well as other community and social events like church festivals. There are already a variety of resources available on antiochian.org/straphaelofbrooklyn to help with this including a downloadable version of the official logo and information on ordering the special commemorative banner to publicize this historic year both within the parish and to the public. Please make use of these resources as you celebrate in your parishes.
Praying that St. Raphael of Brooklyn will continue to intercede for us, I remain,
Your Father in Christ,
+Metropolitan JOSEPH
Archbishop of New York and Metropolitan of all North America
To order the commemorative 3′ x 10′ vinyl banner with grommets shown below, please send a check in the amount of $200.00 in US funds (includes shipping in the US) along with a shipping address and a note that you are ordering a “St. Raphael Jubilee Banner” to:
Versatility, Inc.
3010 Shaffer SE, Suite 7
Kentwood, MI 49512
For Canadian orders (to determine shipping costs) or to pay by credit card (a $10 credit card fee applies), please contact Lisa at Versatility, Inc. by emailing her at:
Versatility will take orders between now and January 31 and will produce and deliver the banners in February or early March at the latest. After that, orders will be produced and shipped as needed. All banners will be grommeted for easy hanging. For those who attended the enthronement in Brooklyn, this will be a copy of same banner that was hanging on the fence at St. Nicholas Cathedral.
