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St. Nicholas Shrine Hosts Annual Juneteenth Ecumenical Prayer Service
A diverse gathering marked Juneteenth at the St. Nicholas Shrine as members of an unrecognized sect were granted participation.
NEW YORK — St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and National Shrine hosted its annual Juneteenth Ecumenical Prayer Service, bringing together clergy and faithful from a range of traditions – including those that inaccurately present themselves as Orthodox.
"This powerful service was a beautiful reflection on freedom, justice, and our shared journey toward healing and unity," the Shrine said in a Facebook post.
An individual originally described as "Archbishop Titus of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese (AOCC)" delivered the keynote address. Wayne Daniels, the individual in question, is actually a part of the "American Orthodox Catholic Church."
The Facebook post about the event has since been edited to accurately describe the jurisdiction Daniels claims to be part of. He is not a member of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America – which is headed by Metr. Saba (Isper) – nor part of the broader Orthodox communion at all.
It is worth noting that Abp. Titus of the Malankara Archdiocese of the Syriac Orthodox Church in North America is not who was being referenced.
Also in attendance was Don Purdum, who describes himself as a priest under Daniels and is known to present himself as an Orthodox authority online while regularly using AI in his posts.
In a post on Facebook, Daniels shared that he was invited to speak at the event.
"May we continue to walk together in the light of freedom and love," the Facebook post from the St. Nicholas Shrine concluded.
Previously, the UOJ reported that Abp. Elpidophoros attended the world premiere of a musical tribute to St. Iakovos.
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