21. ARCHDIOCESE NEWS
GREEK ORTHODOX ARCHDIOCESE OF AMERICA
8-10 East 79th St. New York, NY 10075-0106
Tel: (212) 570-3530 Fax: (212) 774-0237
Web: http://www.goarch.org - Email: communications@goarch.org
Greek Orthodox Archdiocese E-bulletin
January 8, 2010
This is the weekly edition of the GOA E-Bulletin. For more information just click on the links below to go to the topics of interest to you.
If the link does not work from your email, copy the link and paste it into the address bar of your web browser.
SHARE THE LIGHT SUNDAY – JANUARY 17: Sunday, January 17 has been designated as “Share the Light” Sunday in support of the ministries of the Orthodox Christian Network (OCN), the national media ministry of the Standing Conference of Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the Americas (SCOBA). Learn more about how you can observe this Sunday in your parish and support OCN. This website has resources to download, including the SCOBA Encyclical, bulletin inserts, posters, suggested ways to promote the ministries of OCN, and more.
www.myocn.net/index.php/Share-the-Light-Sunday-2010-A-Resource-Center-for-Orthodox-Outreach.html
2010 GOA YEARBOOK AVAILABLE ONLINE: The 2010 Yearbook of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America is now available onlline. The 2010 Yearbook is designed as an easy-to-read, accurate, reference handbook of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. The 274-page new edition includes updated directories of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, Archdiocesan departments and institutions, parishes, clergy, religious and secular media resources, a photo section highlighting the visit of His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew to America plus additional information. Each parish will receive two complimentary copies, but you can download the online version at
www.goarch.org/archdiocese/yearbook/
FEAST OF EPIPHANY: The Feast of the Holy Theophany (Epiphany) of our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ is celebrated each year on January 6. The Feast commemorates the Baptism of Christ and the divine revelation of the Holy Trinity. At the Baptism of Christ, all three Persons of the Holy Trinity—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—were made manifest. Thus, the name of the Feast is Epiphany, meaning manifestation, or Theophany, meaning manifestation of God. For the biblical story of this Feast, a description of the icon, hymns, readings, and more visit
www.goarch.org/special/listen_learn_share/epiphany/index_html
For the GOTelecom production “Epiphany: Festival of Lights” and other multimedia resources visit
www.goarch.org/multimedia/video/epiphany/qt-epiphany-full
ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH BARTHOLOMEW APPEARS ON 60 MINUTES SEGMENT ON ORTHODOX CHRISTIANITY: His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew was featured on the CBS News program 60 Minutes reported by Bob Simon, which aired on Sunday, December 20, 2009 at 7 p.m. EST. The segment focused on the Orthodox Church and its development from its earliest years to modern times in what is now the Republic of Turkey, with special attention given to the status and religious freedom of the Patriarchate.
Watch the interview online at www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=6001717n
More information about His All Holiness's work for religious freedom, human rights, environmental conservation, and the Ecumenical Patriarchate, as well as texts of his addresses may be found at: www.patriarchate.org
CALL TO ACTION ON FREEDOM OF PATRIARCHATE: A call to action has been issued by a member of the Faith Endowment related to the rights and freedoms of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. Read the letter and sign the petition to show your support for the recognition, safety, and protection of His All Holiness, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, the Patriarchate, the Seminary of Halki, and the ethnic minority of Greek Christians living in Turkey.
faithendowment.org/news/a-call-for-action
2010 CAMP AND YOUTHWORKER CONFERENCE: The 2010 Orthodox Christian Camp and Youth Worker Conference will be held January 28-30, 2010 in Silver Springs, MD (30 minutes from Washington, DC). This year's theme is "Communicating the Gospel in the 21st Century," and the keynote speaker will be His Grace Bishop Daniel of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA. We invite all youth workers, church school teachers, camp directors, camp staff, and anyone interested in working with youth to attend this annual conference. Conference registration is $95 per person. Register today at
www.orthodoxcamps.org/conference.html
JOIN AN ORTHODOX MISSION TEAM: The Orthodox Christian Mission Center (OCMC) in St. Augustine, Florida, is offering you the opportunity to join one of the Orthodox Mission Teams in 2010. Acknowledge your commitment in implementing Christ's Great Commission by serving on a short-term mission team.
There is a need to present a visible expression of the love, unity, and support that truly exists within the Holy Orthodox Church around the world; to share the teachings of the Faith and to provide needy communities around the globe with labor; and to increase awareness of overseas churches and the unending mission efforts of the Church. Your continued support of Orthodox missions is greatly needed, and you can help by serving on a Mission Team.
For a full list of team efforts, dates, costs, and registration information visit
teams.ocmc.org
DECEMBER ISSUE OF THE ORTHODOX OBSERVER: The December 2009 issue of the Orthodox Observer is available online. Read the latest news, learn about new ministry opportunities and resources, and connect with parishes and faithful around the globe. Also, read inspiring messages and greetings during this special season of the year at
www.goarch.org/news/observer
2010 ECCLESIASTICAL CALENDARS NOW AVAILABLE: The 2010 Ecclesiastical Calendars produced by the Dept. of Communications are now available. The calendar is a full-color 12-month wall calendar, with a complete listing of saints and readings for each day, fasting guide, and highlights of special feasts and commemorations. The calendar also includes links to online resources of the Archdiocesan website. To order contact the Dept. of Communications at 212-774-0244, or by email at communications@goarch.org. You can also preview the calendar (January 2010) online at
www.goarch.org/archdiocese/departments/communications/parishcalendars
THIS WEEK FROM THE ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN NETWORK
COME RECEIVE THE LIGHT - THE NATIONALLY SYNDICATED RADIO PROGRAM OF ORTHODOX CHRISTIANITY
On today's episode of Come Receive the Light, join Fr. Antonio Perdomo as he speaks with Archimandrite Jose Saravia who is the priest of the mission parish in Bogota, Columbia. Fr. Jose will tell us about his work there, as well as about the importance of Orthodox missions in Latin America. In a short segment, Fr. Sergei Sveshnikov of the Holy New Martyrs and Confessors of Russia Orthodox Church in Mulino, Oregon, is back on the show with Emmy Louvaris today to talk about church etiquette.
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2010 - Looking forward
If you appreciate and enjoy the programming that the Orthodox Christian Network offers via our three online radio stations and twenty podcasts, please help us continue this media ministry. Whether it’s a lot or little ever gift is appreciated. Simply log on to www.myocn.net and click the donate button.
Give at least $100 at this time and be entered to win an OCN Apple Nano. We are funded entirely by listeners like you and need your help to continue sharing our Timeless Faith in a timely fashion. Your gift will help us bring you and your family inspiring music, lessons and personal stories of our Church as you work, surf the internet, or even go for a run with your mp3 player!
Share the Light Sunday will be held on January 17th - Walk in the Light. Help build an effective media outreach for Orthodoxy by supporting the Orthodox Christian Network!
Visit our web site at www.myocn.net for further details.
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RADIO SOLUTIONS for Orthodox Christian Parishes Worldwide
The Orthodox Christian Network (The OCN) is pleased to announce a new service to Orthodox parishes and ministries world wide—Customized Online Radio Stations. Since recently acquiring new online radio server software, we can now offer completely customized 24/7 online radio stations in a cost effective and efficient way allowing parishes to stay connected to their parishioners more so than ever before. OCN looks forward to being your supplier of customized Orthodox Christian programming. For more information about Orthodox Internet radio solutions visit our web site at www.myocn.net or call us today at 954-522-5567 to speak to one of our support staff.
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ADVERTISING/SPONSORSHIP Opportunities
Sponsor a program or feature your company on the high trafficked MyOCN.net website. OCN is now making available the opportunity for people and corporations to advertise on our site to support the ministry. Ad space is available so call our headquarters to discuss it. Call today 954-467-1515.
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INTERNET RADIO STATIONS
If you are looking for a cure for the winter blues or just want to hear some uplifting music, log on to myocn.net to listen to the Ark and the Rudder. Whether you enjoy contemporary or traditional Orthodox music make myocn.net your place for music.
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THIS WEEK’S PODCASTS
This week on Theologically Thinking, enjoy listening to a sermon from Fr. Athanasios Haros of the Transfiguration of Our Savior Greek Orthodox Church in Florence, South Carolina entitled When Society Rejects God, It Can Be A Bit Depressing. This week on Harmony of Thunder: Our next few editions of Harmony of Thunder will look at sermons by St. Gregory Palamas as found in the new book, St. Gregory Palamas, The Homilies, translated by Christopher Veniamin. St. Gregory's insight and illustrations make him one of the great preachers of the Orthodox faith - this is a program you won't want to miss! This week on Special Moments in Orthodoxy, Fr. Chris speaks with Dr. Jane Hickerson, vice president of Praesidium Inc. at last years Orthodox Christian Camp conference and youth workers meeting. Fr. Chris discusses this unique training program on the prevention of child abuse, and the proper screening, selecting and training of volunteers and staff members which include Youth workers and clergy. This week on Turning to the Fathers, noted scholar Fr. John McGuckin speaks on Abba Anthony (Saint Anthony the Great).
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OCN and your iPhone - With the release of the Ark and the Rudder in one convenient and free download, listeners will have even more options from which to listen to OCN's Orthodox liturgical music, groundbreaking podcasts and contemporary Orthodox music. To download your copy, go to the iTunes application store and type ocn. The download is free and is effortless to install. Visit our web site for details at http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftware?id=326307494&mt=8.
All programs available on Internet Radio, Podcast and On Demand at www.myocn.net.
FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF RELIGIOUS EDUCATION:
The Department's new 'zine "Of Your Mystical Supper: The Eucharist" is now available. Written at a "senior high" (grades 10-12) level, it looks at The Sacrament of Holy Communion as a Sacrament of Remembrance (in the Last Supper), a Sacrament of Thanksgiving (the Eucharist), a Sacrament of Forgiveness, and a Sacrament of Community. It also contains a section on Preparing for Holy Communion and the Prothesis Service. Cost is $3.95 per copy. For orders of more than 50 copies, cost is $2.95 each. A Teacher's Guide is in development.
New 'zine from DRE: "Heaven on Earth: The Divine Liturgy" now available. Heaven on Earth is a guide to the Divine Liturgy of St John Chrysostom, providing the junior high reader with information about what is taking place and directions for greater involvement. It also provides a "glossary" of items seen at the Divine Liturgy and introduces the reader to the development of the Liturgy in the Orthodox Church. Twenty-four pages, fully illustrated in color. Could also serve as a handout in adult education classes, be given to visitors to the parish, or placed in the narthex or in the pews. $3.95 per copy. $2.95 on orders of more than 50 copies. A Teacher's Guide for classroom use will be available soon.
New On-line Group for Religious Educators - The Department of Religious Education has created Orthodox Christian Religious Educators a group on Facebook so that teachers and other interested youth workers can share ideas, discuss programs. The Facebook group is the latest attempt of the Department to bring Orthodox Christian Religious Educators together. The group is open to anyone who works with young people in Orthodox Christian parishes, whether as a clergyman, a Sunday Church school teacher, supervisor, a youth group advisor, interested parent, or others. For those already using Facebook, search for the group and join. For those not using Facebook, you will have to join the social networking site (it's free). Already the group has hundreds of members with topics being discussed ranging from Vacation Church School to teaching Environmental Stewardship.
2010 St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival Topics Available. The 2010 Festival Topics, Topic Tips, and Bibliography are now available on the Department's webpages
www.goarch.org/archdiocese/departments/religioused/sjcof
As more information from the Metropolises arrives, with the dates and locations of District and Metropolis Festivals, it will be posted. The 2010 Archdiocese Festival will be hosted by the Direct Archdiocese District and held at the Holy Trinity Cathedral in New York City, from June 4-6.
National GOYA Facebook Page Created
Our newest resource from the Department of Youth and Young Adult Ministries has just been created. In an effort to create a presence on facebook, we have created a page that provides the GOYAn's of our Archdiocese with community, updates, news, and information from across the country. We hope that it will be a place for teens to learn about their faith and upcoming GOYA events, as well as connect with each other! On facebook you can search for "GOYA- Greek Orthodox Youth of America" and become a "fan".
Orthodox Christian Fellowship Announces REAL BREAK registration is open
Join hundreds of other college students this Spring Break with Real Break, the service learning program of OCF. This year's trips are scheduled for Constantinople, Jerusalem, Greece, Romania, and more. Register online now at www.ocf.net/realbreak. Hurry while there are still openings!!!
2010 STEWARDSHIP RESOURCES AVAILABLE: Stewardship resources for the 2010 Stewardship Year have been sent to Greek Orthodox clergy serving parishes throughout the Archdiocese of America. In our efforts to provide your parish with practical ministry resources under a unified theme, the National Ministries of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America are creating resources for the coming Ecclesiastical Year under the general theme of the 2008 Clergy-Laity Congress: Gather My People to My Home with the sub-theme of “Come and See…” Additional Stewardship resources for the parish will be forthcoming. Contact the Department of Stewardship, Outreach & Evangelism: telephone 646-519-6160 / email stewardship@goarch.org. You can also download resources at
www.goarch.org/archdiocese/departments/stewardship/
DAILY BIBLE READINGS FOR FACEBOOK AND iGoogle: The Department of Internet Ministries has launched an enhancement to its Online Chapel service that will now provide Facebook and iGoogle users access to the daily Bible readings and lives of the saints directly from their customized home pages. Visit the Online Chapel at www.goarch.org/chapel for more information on how to add the new Online Chapel for Facebook and Online Chapel for iGoogle to your home pages
ORTHODOX MARKETPLACE - www.orthodoxmarketplace.com
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Now available on the Orthodox Marketplace:
The Planner 2009-2010
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The Planner is used by thousands of Orthodox Christians to keep track of fasting periods, feastdays and of course their own schedules and plans for the ecclesiastical year. The calendar runs from Sept 1, 2009 to Aug 31, 2010. The Planner is produced by the Department of Youth Ministry.
You can purchase the 2009-2010 Planner online for $13.95 by going here with your web browser:
www.orthodoxmarketplace.com/calendars/the-planner-2009-2010.html
The Children's Bible Reader - English Edition - BACK IN STOCK
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Having gone out of print after two runs, we have brought this soon-to-be classic back into print. This title features the same spread of bible stories from the Old and New Testament accompanied by Byzantine-style illustrations. The tone and paraphrase of the text is faithful to the biblical original. The stories walk the child through the history of the faithful, the lessons of Christ to the disciples, the experience of the apostles and the glory of God's Kingdom.
Now available for $19.99, bookstore and parish discounts are available. Select 'Parish or School' or 'Bookstore' as your membership on your user profile to apply for the discount.
You can purchase the Bible Reader in English here:
www.orthodoxmarketplace.com/children-and-039s-1/childrens-bible-reader-english-edition.html
SCOBA, the Orthodox Marketplace, the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, and the American Bible Society are partnering to offer the acclaimed Children's Bible Reader to military families with children at a 50% discount for a limited time. Just fill out this survey to receive your discount coupon:
www.zoomerang.com/Survey/?p=WEB229BUWPHN76
Orthodox Military New Testament and Psalms
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This special edition of the New Testament and Psalms includes several full color icon plates, devotional prayers, short articles about faith topics relevant to servicemen and women, pages to list the living and the dead for personal prayer discipline. It is 4" x 6", softcover, and fits easily in your pocket.
A suggested donation of $5 per copy is requested. Servicemen and military chaplains may receive a coupon allowing them to get free copies by filling out the following survey online:
www.zoomerang.com/Survey/survey.zgi?p=WEB229B4RX2WD4
New Music and Video
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We have added several new titles to our catalog over the past few weeks, including:
* Akathist to the Mother of God: Nurturer of Children (Based on the text from St. Sergius Monastery)
* Pascha: The Resurrection of Christ DVD (aired on ABC around Pascha 2009)
* Jesus Prayer Rings - additional women's and men's sizes are now available.
Be sure to check our web page and subscribe to our newsletter for more information as it becomes available.
www.orthodoxmarketplace.com
The Orthodox Marketplace is the Official Online Store of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese.
SUPPORT THE ARCHDIOCESE WHILE SEARCHING or SHOPPING ON THE WEB: The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese has partnered with GoodSearch.com, a new search engine that donates half its revenue, about a penny per search, to the charities its users designate. You use it just as you would any search engine, and it's powered by Yahoo!, so you get great results. To use GoodSearch.com and support the ministries of the Archdiocese, simply go to:
www.goodsearch.com/?charityid=833607
For online shopping visit
www.goodsearch.com/goodshop.aspx
GAMES ONLINE TO EXPLORE AND LEARN THE ORTHODOX FAITH: The Department of Internet Ministries is pleased to announce an exciting new web site at games.goarch.org where kids and adults of all ages can explore, create, play, learn, discover, and grow in the Orthodox Faith. The site features online games and puzzles in a colorful, engaging environment, all with an Orthodox theme. The games are suitable for kids from ages 5 on up and currently features a coloring book, jigsaw puzzles, a memory game, a word finder, crossword puzzles, and more.
The online games are currently in beta and we encourage feedback so that we can further enhance this new online offering. Click here to visit: games.goarch.org