wfn.org | Greek Orthodox Archdiocese E-bulletin February 12, 2010

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> GREEK ORTHODOX ARCHDIOCESE OF AMERICA
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Greek Orthodox Archdiocese E-bulletin February 12, 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.

MISSION SUNDAY:  Sunday, February 14 is the Sunday of Forgiveness and Cheesefare.  It also has been designated by the Hierarchs of SCOBA as Mission Sunday.  This is a day to recognize, honor, and support the work of Orthodox missionaries and the ministry of the Orthodox Christian Mission Center (OCMC) in St. Augustine, Florida.  For information on how you can observe Mission Sunday in your parish, on the programs of the OCMC, and on how you can support or participate in missions, visit

> www.ocmc.org

GREAT LENT BEGINS:  Great Lent begins on Monday, February 15.  The Archdiocese has a special web site dedicated to this holy season.  Find resources for prayer, reflection, worship and more.  This site has special articles on the Sundays and disciplines of Lent, fasting, and prayer.  Listen to hymns, follow the daily Scripture readings, prepare for special services and observances, and order resources to help you through your Lenten  journey.

> lent.goarch.org

JANUARY-FEBRUARY ISSUE OF OBSERVER ONLINE:  The latest issue of the Orthodox Observer is now available online.  Read the latest news, recaps from celebrations fro Nativity and Epiphany from throughout the Archdiocese, special articles for family and youth ministry, and much more.

> www.goarch.org/news/observer

IONIAN VILLAGE AND CENTER FOR FAMILY CARE COLLABORATE ON FIRST FAMILY CAMP IN GREECE:  Ionian Village and the Archdiocesan Center for Family Care are pleased to announce their collaboration on the first Ionian Village Family Camp (IVFC).  For over 40 years Ionian Village, the summer travel-abroad camp program of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, has offered teenagers and young adult participants an opportunity to gain a broader experience of their Orthodox Faith and Hellenic Culture. That same experience will now be available to families attending IVFC, July 17-26, 2010. Leading the trip will be the Director of the Center for Family Care, Fr. Constantine L. Sitaras, who was the camp director of Ionian Village for 25 years. In speaking about this new collaboration, Fr. Sitaras said, "We are excited to offer the Ionian Village Family Camp for families to experience together. It is our hope that through this program, families will be able to take their experiences of our faith there and bring them to life in their own homes."

IVFC will be based out of the Ionian Village camp grounds on the northwest coast of the Peloponnese.  During the 9-day camp, families will travel to Zakynthos, Patras, Delphi, Olympia, and Aegina, ending the trip with a couple days in Athens. During these excursions, families will learn more about Orthodox Christianity in the beauty that is Greece. In addition to daily worship, the IVFC will offer activities including arts and crafts, athletics, and religious education that will enable families to grow closer to Christ and to one another.

For additional information, please visit www.ionianvillage.org or contact the Center for Family Care at 845-424-8175 or familycare@goarch.org.

HAITI CRISIS ? AN APPEAL TO ACTION: The earthqquake that struck Haiti has left tens of thousands homeless and without basic provisions and medical care.  His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios has issued a call to the faithful of the Archdiocese to give generously to assist with the relief efforts.  Read the encyclical requesting a special offering this Sunday.  Also, link to IOCC (International Orthodox Christian Charities) to learn more about how you can help through donations and preparing hygiene kits and emergency cleanup buckets.

Special encyclical: www.goarch.org/news/haitiencyclical%20-01-13-2010

IOCC: www.iocc.org/news/1-14-10haiti-release.aspx

EVENTS AND NEWS FROM THE DEPT. OF YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULTS

Into the Desert: The Department of Youth and Young Adult Ministries announces its 40 day Lenten blog entitled, "Into the Desert." Beginning on Clean Monday, February 15, 2010, daily posts will encourage our young people to fully participate in Great Lent--this challenge can be done individually or with an entire ministry group. The blog will offer daily scriptural readings, saints of the day, quotes from the fathers, and daily challenges to better prepare for Pascha. Visit www.youth.goarch.org for more information!

National Young Adult Pilgrimage to the Holy Land: Join young adults from across the country on this unforgettable journey to the Holy Land and Sinai, May 15-24, 2010. His Grace Bishop Savas will once again be leading this trip, which will be limited to 30 young adults. Destinations will include holy sites in Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Mount Tabor, Sea of Galilee, Jordan River, Nazareth, Mount Sinai, Cana, and many more! Online registration is now open at www.youngadult.goarch.org.

Young Adult Awareness Campaign--Find Them, Greet Them, Love Them: In an effort to encourage our young adults to become active members of the Church, the Department of Youth and Young Adult Ministries, along with our Metropolis Youth Offices, have launched a National Awareness Campaign for young adults: Find Them. Greet Them. Love Them. To encourage participation from young adults on the local level, the "10 in 10: 10 Service Projects in 2010" was launched. This includes ten "days of service" thoughtout 2010, one in every Metropolis/Direct Archdiocesan District and one national event. For more information please visit www.youngadult.goarch.org.

Outreach Resources for Parish Ministry for Great Lent, Holy Week, Pascha & the Annunciation are available on the www.Outreach.Goarch.org website or click on the following link:

www.goarch.org/archdiocese/departments/outreach/greatlent

Booklet: Outreach & Evangelism: Some Practical Steps -available by request

Brochures

·      Our Lenten Journey: Preparing for the Passion & Resurrection of Our Lord
www.goarch.org/archdiocese/departments/outreach/greatlent/brochures/Our_Lent en_Journey.pdf
·      Preparing for Confession by Fr. James Kordaris
www.goarch.org/archdiocese/departments/outreach/greatlent/brochures/Confessi on.pdf
·      The Great Fast by Metropolitan Isaiah
www.goarch.org/archdiocese/departments/outreach/greatlent/brochures/The_Grea t_Fast.pdf
·      Repentance by Fr. Alexander Veronis
www.goarch.org/archdiocese/departments/outreach/greatlent/brochures/Repentan ce.pdf
·      Holy Communion: The Gift of Eternal Life by Fr. Alkiviadis  Calivas
www.goarch.org/archdiocese/departments/outreach/greatlent/brochures/Communio n-Calivas.pdf
·      All Things New in the Resurrection by Fr. Stanley S. Harakas
www.goarch.org/archdiocese/departments/outreach/greatlent/brochures/Resurrec tion.pdf
·      Tri-Lingual Paschal Homily of St John Chrysostom
www.goarch.org/archdiocese/departments/outreach/greatlent/brochures/Paschal_ Homily.pdf
·      Resurrection Service Handout Brochure
www.goarch.org/archdiocese/departments/outreach/greatlent/resurrectionhandou t
·      A Lenten Study Program
www.goarch.org/archdiocese/departments/outreach/greatlent/brochures/Lenten_s tudy.pdf

SERMONS/REFLECTIONS

·      The Incarnation: A Revolution for Freedom by Dr. Aristotle  Papanikolaou
www.goarch.org/archdiocese/departments/outreach/greatlent/reflections/gl-Inc arnation_A_Revolution_for_Freedom_Papanikoloau.doc
·      My Soul Magnifies the Lord by Fr. Thomas Paris
www.goarch.org/archdiocese/departments/outreach/greatlent/reflections/gl-My_ Soul_Magnifies_the_Lord_Paris.doc
·      God for Us: Why the Incarnation is Rational by Dr. Aristotle Papanikolaou
www.goarch.org/archdiocese/departments/outreach/greatlent/reflections/gl-Ann unciation_2_Papanikolaou.doc
·      Blessed is that Servant Whom He Shall find Waiting: An Exhortation to Vigilance by Fr. William Chiganos
www.goarch.org/archdiocese/departments/outreach/greatlent/reflections/gl-Exh ortation_to_Vigilance_Chiganos.doc
·      Focus Fasting by Fr. Athanasios Demos
www.goarch.org/archdiocese/departments/outreach/greatlent/reflections/gl-Foc us_Fasting_A_Demos.doc
·      The Precious and Life-Giving Cross by Fr. Luke Veronis
www.goarch.org/archdiocese/departments/outreach/greatlent/reflections/gl-Ser mon_The_Cross_Luke_Veronis.doc
·      Holy Friday Reflection-The Train Bridge
www.goarch.org/archdiocese/departments/outreach/greatlent/reflections/gl-Hol y_Friday_Reflection_The_Train_Bridge.doc
·      Proclaim His Resurrection: Seven Miles with Jesus by Fr Christopher Makiej
www.goarch.org/archdiocese/departments/outreach/greatlent/reflections/gl-Pro claim_His_Resurrection_Makiej.doc
·      Pascha vs. Easter by Phyllis Meshel Onest, MDiv

www.theologic.com/oflweb/lentpask/estrmyth.htm

Visitor Welcome Card & Display Rack for welcoming visitors and collecting contact information and areas of interest online at

www.goarch.org/archdiocese/departments/outreach/visitorcard

Lenten Welcome Banner: A 3 x 6  or 4 x 8 foot outdoor banner ($150 each) online at

www.goarch.org/archdiocese/departments/outreach/resources/lentenwelcome

> Custom Banners will be made upon request.

SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS AVAILABLE: Applications are now available online for the three scholarship programs administered by the Office of the Chancellor.  Visit this site to download information and applications on the Gioles and Malta Scholarships, and the Paleologos Graduate Scholarship.  The deadline for all applications is April 20, 2010.

www.goarch.org/archdiocese/administration/chancellor/scholarships

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/

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

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

> 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,   Fr. David Smith of the Antiochian Orthodox Diocese of Ottawa joins us to talk about his book Christianity & Pleasure. How do our thoughts on pleasure affect and even define our relationship with God? Also with us is Dr. James Skedros,Cantonis Professor of  Byzantine Studies and Professor of Early Christianity at Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Seminary. He'll be telling us about Patriarch John III of Constantinople whose memory we celebrate on February 21st.
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Coming soon: OCMC and OCN team up to offer New Travel Blog
Join Fr. Martin Ritsi, Alex Goodwin and Cameron Thorp as they travel to Kenya on a mission trip.  They will be reporting back to us during their journey so be sure to visit our web site under Travel Blogs.  It will be just like going along with them on this sacred journey.  Starting February 17, 2010 visit us at www.myocn.net.
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New Offerings
This Great Lent watch and listen everyday as the OCN begins a new series of offerings.

? Launch of the Anchor Internet Radio Statioon: Our new talk stations will have a multitude of our programming around this sacred time of the year encouraging and inspiring the faithful on their spiritual journey. We welcome Konstantin
(Kosta) Rysyanin the new Program Director and Scott Allen Miller the host of the station both members of the Antiochian Archdiocese to our OCN Staff.

? Launch of Readinggs and Remembrances: which is a daily audio program hosted by various professionals from our voice talent pool. You can subscribe to this professionally produced program of the daily epistles, gospels along with daily lives of the saints. This will certainly be a great addition to your daily walk during this sacred time.

? Launch of OCN International: This neew offering will feature programming from around the world in various languages that will enlighten the faithful. The first two come to us from Greece. They consist of daily divine services and radio programs produced by the Monastery of the Holy Taxiarchae outside of Volos, Greece and a long standing radio program from the monastery of the Transfiguration in Nafpaktos, Greece.

? Launch of a special Great Lent Resource page: this iss a one stop place for the faithful to go to hear and view programming that will enlighten and enhance your spiritual journey on a daily basis. Now with the new technology at our disposal this is easier than ever.
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THIS WEEKâ??S PODCASTS
This week on Theologically Thinking, Fr. Spiro Bobotas delivers a sermon on Forgiveness entitled the gift of Forgiveness: Cancelling the debt. In this week's episode of Special Moments in Orthodoxy, Bishop Kallilstos Ware speaks to us from St. John church in Sterling Heights Michigan  on preparing ourselves for Great Lent. This week on Just Thinking, Join Fr. Chris and Rod Dreher as they discuss Forgiveness Sunday and the need to look at our relationships in a different light by allowing the love of Christ to enter into us and into our relationships. This week on OCN Now, join Fr. Chris as he discusses the upcoming Kenya mission trip with Fr. Martin Ritsi and Cameron Thorp. There will also be a new episode of Get Wisdom with Jason Barker.
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Share the Light Sunday was held on January 17th - Walk in the Light. If your parish celebrated this National Day of Recognition please contact our office to let us know how it went. In case you missed it, you can still celebrate. Share the Light Sunday can be celebrated on any Sunday. 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?Customizeed 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. By all means visit and utilize our newly designed ARK Page and join us on Facebook to follow programming and events covered on the ARK and the RUDDER. While you are at it tell your friends to visit as well.

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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=32630749 4&mt=8.

All programs available on Internet Radio, Podcast and On Demand at www.myocn.net.

> FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF RELIGIOUS EDUCATION:

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.

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 â??Come and See?â?? Additional SStewardship resources for the parish will be forthcoming. Contact the Department of Stewardship, Outreach & Evangelism: telephone 646-519-6160 / email stewardship@goarch.org. Resources are also available online 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

> --------------------

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