From the Wha...File.....

As Reported from the A.P.

Burglar Steals Crown From Bishop's Car

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — A burglar who broke into a Greek Orthodox bishop's car made off with quite a haul, but fencing one of the stolen items could prove difficult.

Among the items stolen from Bishop Metropolitan Isaiah's car was a jeweled crown of gold and silver, which Isaiah estimated to be worth between $6,000 and $10,000.

Isaiah, who is based in Denver and is bishop for the Northwest region of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, said he was dining with others at a restaurant when the break-in occurred. He said the car was parked in a well-lit spot.

"We came out at 10 o'clock, and the window was smashed," he said.

The burglar also made off with a copy of the New Testament, a veil, a cell phone and a black fabric bag. The bag had special meaning to the ex-Marine because it was given to him years ago by the widow of a fellow Marine.

Isaiah offered a reward of at least $1,000 if the crown is returned without damage.

"That was the first gift I received as a bishop 22 years ago," he said. "I feel lost without it."

At a vespers service Saturday night, he was the only priest with no head covering.

"I just hope and pray that those who took it will have a change of heart," he said.

Let us pray for our Orthodox Brothers that this thief returns The Bishops Miter.

From my Collection here are 2 Photos of Metropolitan Isaiah with and without Crown.

CROWN/ MITER :
























No Crown on his head but you can see it on the Altar In the Background:

Romanian bishop: Eastern Catholics are a ‘despised minority’

This is quite an interesting story I found linked on the C.A. Forum
Bishop Botean gave a very good talk on the Schism between East and West here is a line that I particularly took note of....

Acknowledging that “ultimately it is God who has to bring about this unity,” Bishop Botean said, “God has his own plan. But maybe we have something that we have to do to cooperate in whatever God’s plan is. In any event, if it is our fault and we reach the year 2054 and have to look at each other [Orthodox and Catholics] from across a divided faith…as two separate churches, we will have nothing to say but ‘shame on us’ for allowing it to last for a thousand years.”

The Full Article is found here:Diocese Of Youngstown

A good prayer also found posted via the CA Forums was this:

O Merciful Lord Jesus, Our Savior, hear the prayers and petitions of Your unworthy sinful servants who humbly call upon You and make us all to be one in Your one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church. Flood our souls with Your unquenchable light. Put an end to religious disagreements, and grant that we Your disciples and Your beloved children may all worship You with a single heart and voice. Fulfill quickly, O grace-giving Lord, your promise that there shall be one flock and one Divine Shepherd of Your Church; and may we be made worthy to glorify Your Holy Name now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

-prayer for unity by Blessed Leonid Feodorov