Your Eminence and the Clergy and Laity of the Diocese of New York and New Jersey.

      As the Missions Director of our Diocese, I am pleased to report the progress of the mission work that has taken placed since our last Diocesan Assembly.

ST. GREGORY PALAMAS MISSION, FLEMINGTON (CLINTON), NJ

      Over the past three years, the St. Gregory Palamas Mission has made steady progress. Under the leadership of Rev. Fr. David Brum, plans were made to purchase the former United Methodist Church in Glen Gardner, NJ. When Fr. David was reassigned to serve as the Personal Secretary for His Beatitude, Metropolitan THEODOSIUS, Rev. Fr. Michael Medis was assigned as Acting Rector. The first Divine Liturgy celebrated by Fr. Michael at the new location took place on Sunday, September , 2000. Because of the efforts and community spirit of St. Gregory’s Mission, His Eminence, Archbishop PETER granted Parish Status to St. Gregory’s. The laity and clergy of St. Gregory’s are to be commended for their faithfulness and their trust in God’s Will for their community.

HOLY SPIRIT MISSION, WANTAGE, NJ

      Since the ordination to the Holy Priesthood and the assignment of Rev. Fr. Samuel Kedala to Holy Spirit Mission approximately three years ago, the Mission has continued to grow in spirit and numbers. Father Samuel is in residence as a full-time priest and this has made a significant difference in the life of the Mission. We congratulate Fr. Samuel and the members of the Mission for their faithfulness not only to life the Christian life, but for their efforts to reach out to the population of their area. Holy Spirit Mission is the only OrthodoxChurch within the immediate 25 mile radius in a growing area of New Jersey with exceptional possibilities for outreach.

MOTHER OF GOD MISSION, ROCKY HILL, NJ

      Since our last Diocesan Assembly, the status of Rev. Fr. John Cassar, Assistant to me as the Priest-in-Charge of the Mission, has been changed. His Eminence, Archbishop PETER has relieved me of my duties as Priest-in-Charge. He has assigned Father John as Acting Rector. We are also grateful that Father John who previously traveled from Long Island to Rocky Hill, NJ to serve the Mission during its first years, now resides in Rocky Hill, NJ. The community is growing both spiritually and numerically. Father John’s presence in Rocky Hill, NJ will certainly offer additional opportunities for the Mission to continue its steady progress. The commitment and enthusiasm of the laity of the Mission is worthy of note. May their efforts continue to be blessed.

ST. JOHN CHRYSOSTOM MISSION, CLAREMONT, NJ

      Since our last Diocesan Assembly, His Eminence, Archbishop PETER has relieved me of my duties as Priest-in-Charge of the Mission. He has assigned Rev. Fr. Stephen Miller as Acting Rector. Father Stephen resides near the Mission. This will certainly offer additional opportunities for the Mission to continue its steady progress. Though the Mission is small in numbers, a generous gift received during this past year gives to the Mission a financial reserve to support their work as they grow in their evangelistic efforts to reach the indigenous population in their area. I would like to thank the V.Rev. Sergius Kuharsky, Rev. Andrew Missaris and other visiting priests who served Divine Services regularly at the Mission until the assignment of Fr. Stephen.

      The laity of the Mission are to be complimented for their trust and faithfulness during this critical period of their community’s history.

ST. SERGIUS RUSSIAN ORTHODOX MISSION, BROOKLYN, NY

      The Rev. Roman Koulik is the Priest-in-Charge of this Mission. Currently meeting at St. Mary’s Antiochian Orthodox Church in the Bay Ridge section of Brooklyn, NY, this mission is an outreach to the new immigration of Russians, Byelorus, and Ukrainians in their area. The progress of this unique Mission of our Diocese is currently being reviewed so that the efforts of the Mission can be strengthened. Father Roman is to be commended for his mission work.

ST. INNOCENT MISSION, ONEONTA, NY

      V.Rev. Fr. Alexey Karlgut, the Pastor of Ss. Peter and Paul Church in Endicott, NY is Priest-in-Charge of St. Innocent Mission. He is assisted by Fr. Kyril Riggs who celebrates Saturday Vespers and the Sunday Divine Liturgy each week.

      The progress of this Mission is currently being reviewed so that the efforts of the Mission can be strengthened. The Lay Coordinator, Nicholas Gloumakoff is to be commended for the leadership he offers to the mission.

      I would like to thank His Eminence, Archbishop PETER for his trust and confidence. I ask for your prayers and God’s blessings upon my modest efforts to strengthen the mission work in our Diocese,

Respectfully submitted,

V. Rev. Paul Kucynda,

Diocesan Missions Director

Holy Trinity Church,

Yonkers, NY

December 11, 2000