Diocese Update - May 2026
Christ is Risen! Truly He is Risen!
!المسيح قام! حقا قام
Χριστὸς ἀνέστη! Ἀληθῶς ἀνέστη!
Христосъ воскресе! Воистину воскресе!
Camp St. Joseph Accepting Registrations
The official summer camp of the Diocese of Worcester & New England, Camp St. Joseph of Damascus offers a joyful, faith-centered experience for youth ages 9–17. Camp runs August 10–16, 2026. Learn more and register at https://campstjoseph.org/
DOWNE SOYO Spring Retreat - May 9 in Worcester
WHEN: Saturday, May 9, 8:15 AM – 5:00 PM
WHERE: St. George Orthodox Cathedral, 30 Anna Street, Worcester, Mass 01604
AGES: Children ages 7–17 are welcome to participate.
COST: $15 per child Cash or Venmo (to Anthony-Abusamra) will be accepted — no credit cards or personal checks.
If the cost presents any difficulty, please don’t hesitate to reach out — we’re happy to help ensure every child can participate.
Register here
Registration deadline: Monday, May 4.
This Spring Retreat theme will continue our focus on our church feasts; our children will learn about Pascha, Ascension, Pentecost, All Saints, and All Saints of Antioch.
SCHEDULE (Tentative):
8:15-9:00AM Check in/Registration
9:00-9:45 Orthros
9:45-10:30 Breakfast
10:30-12:30PM Learning the Feasts Rotation
12:30-1:15 Lunch
1:15-3:15 Game Time!
3:15-4:00 Snack Time
4:00-4:45 Vespers
4:45-5:00PM Clean up/Goodbye
QUESTIONS?
Please email Billy Ozone at downeyouthdirector@gmail.com or Tony Abusamra at Tonyabusamra06@gmail.com
St. George Lawrence - Fundraiser Lunch, Sunday, May 3 @ noon
St. George Church in Lawrence (8 Lowell Street, Lawrence, MA 01840) is hosting a fundraiser on Sunday, May 3 at noon in their Fellowship Hall after Liturgy. Join us for a wonderful luncheon of all your favorite Arabic foods!
Tickets: $20 per person
Payment at the door, but registration is open through Eventbrite -
Diocese Council Zoom - May 12 @ 7pm via zoom
The next Diocese Council meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, May 12 at 7:00 pm via Zoom. All clergy and laity are invited to attend to help His Grace Bishop John in the planning of events for our Diocese. For more information, please contact Bishop John.
Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7817624396?omn=86467682042
Meeting ID: 781 762 4396
Passcode: 51519
Diocese PLC: Saturday, June 20, 2026
St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church will host the Parish Life Conference at Transfiguration Greek Orthodox Church (5 Father John Sarantos Way, Lowell)
Theme: The Spirit of Antioch
Registration and more details can be found here: https://www.antiochianevents.com/worcester
2026 PLC Theme & Oratorical Theme:
Oratorical Theme: "You Shall be to me a royal priesthood and a holy Nation." Exodus 19:6 Visit https://www.teensoyo.org/oratorical for more details.
Bible Bowl Topic: Book of Exodus Visit https://www.teensoyo.org/bible-bowl for study guide and more details.
Church School Curriculum: A People Set Apart: Book of Exodus Curriculum
Creative Festivals: Theme and Resources
Upcoming PLC Host Parish Schedule
2027: St. George Church, Boston
2028: St. Mary Church, Pawtucket
2029: St. George Church, Lawrence
2030: St. George Cathedral, Worcester
Summer Sacred Music Institute & Youth Music Ministry - July 8-12 @ Antiochian Village
The Summer Sacred Music Institute (SMI) will take place July 8-12 at the Antiochian Village. The theme will be the feasts of Transfiguration and the Cross. All parishes are encouraged to send at least one person to the Summer SMI. The Youth Music Ministry (YMM) Program of the SMI is for teens aged 14-18. Scholarships are available. Please email charlie.marge@verizon.net if you have teens that are interested. Bus to Session 2 at Antiochian Village: The Diocese Council will help subsidize a bus to Session 2 at Antiochian Village this year.
Bus will depart on Sunday, June 28 at 5:00 AM from St. George Cathedral in Worcester and return on Friday, July 10 around 7:00 PM.
St. George Classical Academy - Employment Opportunities
Saint George Classical Academy, a Christian classical school serving families on the North Shore of Massachusetts, is currently hiring teachers for the 2026-2027 academic year, including an Upper/Middle School Math and Science Teacher and a Lower School (Grades 3-4) Classroom Teacher (see links for job descriptions).
If you would like to be considered for future opportunities, please feel free to reach out to Head of School, Juliana Joyce, for more information (Juliana.Joyce@stgca.org).
Iconography Project at Our Cathedral
Our Cathedral in Worcester is in the midst of a historic iconography project, and you have the opportunity to be part of it in a lasting way. This is a unique chance to have an icon of your patron saint, or a large Biblical scene placed in the Cathedral of our Diocese, where it will inspire generations to come. For more information or to reserve an icon, please contact Fr. Milad at fr.milad.selim@gmail.com
Image above is a digital rendering of the icons and not the exact background color or icons.
Save the Date!
- May 12: Diocese Council Meeting
- June 14-26: Antiochian Village Session 1
- June 20, 2026: Diocese PLC hosted by St. George Church in Lowell
- June 28-July 10: Antiochian Village Session 2
- July 8-12: Sacred Music Institute @ AV
- July12-24: Antiochian Village Session 3
- July 26-August 7: Antiochian Village Session 4
- August 8-15: Teen SOYO Special Olympics Sports Camp
- August 10-16: Camp St. Joseph of Damascus
- 2027 Dates:
- July 19-25, 2027: Archdiocese Convention in Anaheim, CA