Volume 50 No. 8 October 2006 VOLUME 50 NO. 8 OCTOBER 2006

COVER contents COVER ICON by Nicholas Papas of Greensburg, PA.

3 EDITORIAL by Very Rev. John Abdalah

5 THE FAITH. IT’S SIMPLE. (REALLY) by Fr. Joseph Huneycutt

7 LEBANON AND SYRIA — SUMMER OF 2006 by Christopher Khorey The Most Reverend Metropolitan PHILIP, D.H.L., D.D. Primate 10 THE DEPARTMENT OF DEVELOPMENT The Right Reverend Bishop ANTOUN The Right Reverend Bishop JOSEPH 12 ORATORICAL FESTIVAL The Right Reverend Bishop BASIL The Right Reverend 14 MARRIAGE AND FAMILY LIFE Bishop THOMAS by Economos Constantine Nasr The Right Reverend Bishop MARK The Right Reverend Bishop ALEXANDER 19 THE DEPARTMENT OF Founded in Arabic as YOUTH AND PARISH MINISTRIES Al Kalimat in 1905 by Saint Raphael (Hawaweeny) Founded in English as The WORD in 1957 26 ARCHDIOCESAN OFFICE by Metropolitan ANTONY (Bashir) Editor in Chief The Very Rev. John P. Abdalah, D.Min. Assistant Editor Joanne M. Abdalah, MSW 27 COMMUNITIES IN ACTION Editorial Board The Very Rev. Joseph J. Allen, Th.D. Anthony Bashir, Ph.D. The Very Rev. Antony Gabriel, Th.M. 32 THE ORTHODOX WORLD The Very Rev. Peter Gillquist Ronald Nicola Letters to the editor are welcome and should include the author’s full Najib E. Saliba, Ph.D. name and parish. Submissions for “Communities in Action” must be The Very Rev. Paul Schneirla, M.Div. approved by the local pastor. Both may be edited for purposes of clar- Design Director Donna Griffin Albert ity and space. All submissions, in hard copy, on disk or e-mailed, should be double-spaced for editing purposes. Member The Associated Church Press ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION: Conciliar Press U.S.A. and Canada, $20.00 Ecumenical News International Foreign Countries, $26.00 Orthodox Press Service Single Copies, $3.00 Editorial Office: THE WORD (USPS626-260), published monthly except July and August, The WORD by the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America at 635 Miranda Drive 358 Mountain Road, PO Box 5238, periodicals postage paid at Pittsburgh, PA 15241 Englewood, New Jersey 07631-5238 and at additional mailing offices. e-mail: [email protected] Postmaster send address changes to: THE WORD, 358 Mountain Road, FAX: 1-412-831-5554 PO Box 5238, Englewood, NJ 07631-5238 Subscription Office: ISSN 0043-7964 www.antiochian.org. 358 Mountain Road PO Box 5238 Englewood, NJ 07631-5238

2 The Word editor’s letter “D” is for Depression

One of the darkest times of my life was my first days at Seminary. With some thirty years of distance from those days, I dare now reflect on them. Although I had completed my college program, this was my first time away from home. Missing my family and familiar surroundings was only half of what sent me into a tailspin. Reading some of the monastic writings about the spiritual life without a mature enough understanding of God’s love and mercy left me thinking that all those that I loved were destined to join me in an eternal place of torment! No one could reach the purity that I thought was being demanded by these writings. My dark mood made com- pleting even simple tasks difficult. I had trouble sleeping, and my appetite was insatiable. Seminary life was far from simple. I had hundreds of pages of reading assigned each week, a parish assignment, classes every morning, afternoon and evening and eight hours of weekly community service to complete. Of course, I would further complicate life by taking every oppor- tunity I could to avoid it all and do “real” ministry. I never missed a retreat or anything else that would take me out of town. In one of my classes, I had to write an exam on patristic images of the Holy Trinity. I wrote the exam confident that my knowledge of the material would bring me a grade that would lift my spirits. I was surprised by the “D” that appeared on the paper. Knowing that I needed a “B” average to maintain my scholarships, my instructor waited for me to visit to discuss this grade. When I sat with him, the instructor read aloud my exam to me, and then told me that everything that was required to be on the exam I had indeed included. Why then, I inquired, did I receive a “D”? He responded that my exam reflected my depressed mood, and moodiness would prevent effective ministry. I needed to get over my mood if I wanted to be an effective priest. Ministry was not academic; it was serving in God’s own priesthood. I needed to get out of the way if I were to be an effective teacher. I could not protest. He was right, so I thanked him for his time and his guidance. I chose not to ask him to show God’s mercy and change my grade, although I was grateful when he offered. Depression is real, and many people suffer greatly. Some suffer from depressions that have their origins in difficult life events. Perhaps all changes in our lives involve loss, and losses need to be acknowledged and grieved. Other depressions are related to hormonal or body chemistry problems that are medical in nature and may require medicine. Some depressions are spiritual, and such problems need to be addressed spiritually. My depression was both situational and spiritual. I needed to acknowledge all of the changes in my life, and choose to accept my new circumstances. I also needed to mature in my understanding of God’s love and grace. My instructor challenged me to grow past my feelings, and come to understand my role in the Church. In time, I came to understand better God’s love and care. I learned that God’s judgement was balanced with his love and charity, that His mercy and love were real, and greater than my fears. God was not an enforcer, waiting to crush me for my sins and inadequacies. He has revealed Himself to be the holy teacher, the good shepherd, and

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The Word 3 the loving father who loves and who is love. Even His righteous chastisement is for the good of His daily devotions children. Depression and other mood disorders are serious difficulties and need to be dealt with, but, NOVEMBER, 2006 that being said, I am grateful for the lesson that moodiness is often simply immature behavior that gets in the way of effective ministry. All of us have 1. I CORINTHIANS 12:27-13:8; been baptized into Christ, and have put on Christ. MATTHEW 10:1, 5-8 (fast) We put on His grace and His ministry. We need to 2. COLOSSIANS 1:24-29; LUKE 11:47-12:1 get past those moods and bad habits that inhibit 3. COLOSSIANS 2:1-7; LUKE 12:2-12 (fast) our ability to bring others to Christ. We need to set 4. 2 CORINTHIANS 3:12-18; LUKE 9:1-6 aside childish ways, and shine with all the light 5. GALATIANS 2:16-20; LUKE 16:19-31 God has given us. 6. COLOSSIANS 2:13-20; LUKE 12:13-15, 22-31 October is Youth Month in our Archdiocese. 7. COLOSSIANS 2:20-3:3; LUKE 12:42-48 We owe it to our youth for us to be mature and lov- 8. HEBREWS 2:2-10; LUKE 10:16-21 (fast) ing leaders who show God’s love and caring. This 9. COLOSSIANS 4:2-9; LUKE 13:1-9 caring is expressed in our relationships with our 10. COLOSSIANS 4:10-18; LUKE 13:31-35 (fast) young people, which must express our choice to 11. 2 COLOSSIANS 5:1-10; LUKE 9:37-43 work toward minimizing the negative effects of our 12. 2 CORINTHIANS 9:6-11; LUKE 10:25-37 moodiness. We also owe it to our youth to work honestly to preserve the faith given to us by God, 13. HEBREWS 7:26-8:2; JOHN 10:9-16 and to express it in all the unity, purity and love 14. THESSALONIANS 1:6-10; LUKE 14:25-35 that God is. This month, The WORD presents some 15. 1 THESSALONIANS 2:1-8; LUKE 15:1-10 (fast) well-considered and practical ideas about 16. 1 CORINTHIANS 4:9-16; MATTHEWS 9:9-13 (fast) Orthodox unity. For the sake of our youth, I 17. 1 THESSALONIANS 2:14-19; encourage you to consider these ideas prayerfully LUKE 16:15-18; 17:1-4 (fast) and to work for unity. 18. 2 CORINTHIANS 8:1-5; LUKE 9:57-62 (fast) 19. EPHESIANS 2:4-10; LUKE 12:16-21 (fast) by Fr. John Abdalah 20. 1 THESSALONIANS 2:20-38; LUKE 17:20-25 (fast) 21. HEBREWS 9:1-7; LUKE 10:38-42; 11:27-28 (fast) 22. 1 THESSALONIANS 4:1-12; LUKE 18:15-17, 26-30 (fast) 23. 1 THESSALONIANS 5:1-8; LUKE 18:31-34 (fast) 24. EPHESIANS 6:10-17; LUKE 21:12-19 (fast) 25. 2 CORINTHIANS 11:1-16; LUKE 10:19-21 (fast) 26. EPHESIANS 2:14-22; LUKE 18:18-27 (fast) 27. 2 THESSALONIANS 1:1-10; LUKE 19:37-44 (fast) 28. 2 THESSALONIANS 1:20-2:2; LUKE 19:45-48 (fast) 29. 2 THESSALONIANS 2:1-12; LUKE 20:1-8 (fast) 30. 1 CORINTHIANS 4:9-16; JOHN 1:35-51 (fast)

Very Rev. George Alberts

4 The Word The Faith. It’s Simple. (Really)

The priest had prepared a wonder-filled lecture on Iconography for the growing Adult Ed Class. He’d done his research — looking through books, magazines, and the internet. His goal was not only to teach how icons were painted, or written, but also their history, including a brief synopsis of the Iconoclastic controversy of the 8th century. He’d made charts, graphs and timelines. Most of the partici- pants in the class were Converts — who eat this sort of thing up — and Reverts: those Cradle Orthodox who had “rediscovered” their faith and were hoping to delve deeper. The class had been steadily growing. In fact, there was a newcomer on this particular evening. It was his first visit to an Orthodox Church. He claimed he’d read some things about Orthodoxy on the internet. During the presentation, the priest used his charts and graphs to explain the controversy over icons (Iconoclasm). He also spoke of the symbolic nature of the colors used in iconography and the meaning behind the distorted shadows and depth as portrayed in iconography. Throughout the class period he’d appreciated the smiling and nodding faces of the regulars. Their questions and comments exem- plified their great interest in Holy Orthodoxy and the subject at hand. He’d only scheduled one hour for the class, but their interest had encouraged him. Now, 90 minutes into the great class of Iconography, he asked: “Any questions?” Slowly, reluctantly, a hand went up, catching the priest’s attention. He looked to the back of the room; everyone looked toward the newcomer. “Yes?” said the priest. The country boy said: “What’s an icon?” After the laughter died down, the priest realized he’d been too smart by half. All the preparation, all the zeal, the accumulation of knowledge … was lost on the newcomer. (And, truth be known, prob- ably on half the smiling — seemingly attentive — faces.) With all that preparation, the priest had forgotten to start with the basics, the fun- damentals. Quickly, everyone joined in helping the newcomer to catch up to one of the “staples” of Orthodoxy: icons.

The Word 5 A few months later came the Great Feast of Pascha. — thereby making God the Son a creature and not the Let me tell you some backstage info about Pascha for Creator. priests: By now, most of you veteran-Orthodox know that Arius 1) he’s tired: services, services, services; fasting, fasting, was condemned, even slapped by St. Nicholas for his blas- fasting; prep, prep, prep, etc. phemy, and the Council consisting of 318 Fathers were unit- 2) the priest wants the experience of Pascha to be special, ed in the Holy Spirit in proclaiming that the Son is co-equal, awe-filled, in a word: miraculous co-eternal with God the Father. To this end, they developed a

WORD MAGAZINE 3) he desires this wonderment not only for himself and sort of “Mission Statement” about the True Faith at the his family, but for the regulars, some-timers, one-timers, and Council of Nicea. even for the CEO crowd (Christmas, Easter & Other) What you may not know is that the heresy, known as Suffice it to say: Tension is high. Arianism, remained all the rage for over a hundred years after That night, the priest stood before the unusually packed the First Great Council. In fact, the Fathers never intended church and cried out: for their Mission Statement to become part of the worship Christ is Risen! services of the Church. But, since the heresy persisted, it The people responded: became necessary to define the communities of True Worship Indeed, He is Risen! by inserting the Mission Statement — or, the Creed — into Christos anesti! the service of the Divine Liturgy. In other words, just before Alithos anesti! Communion, “I believe in one God …”

The faith. It’s simple But over the crowd everyone heard a delayed: In essence, it's simple: what we believe. This Creed,, the —Halleluia! first part of which was fashioned in the year 325 in Nicea, … and some nervous laughter. though full of mystery and majesty, is a simple statement of Khristos voskrese! belief. This is what we believe. Voistinu voskrese! In the Gospel of John, 17:1-13, we once again hear our —Praise the Lord! Lord’s high priestly prayer for unity — that all may be one — El Messieh kahm! even as He and the Father are one. This, brothers and sisters, Hakken kahm! is simple. Our Lord prayed that his gathered disciples would —Yeeeee — Haaaa!!!! be one as He and the Father are one. Amid the excitement, most probably didn’t notice, but the Though hard for us to comprehend: God is simple. priest’s face had become as white as his vestments. (Or, okay, Entering this new phase of the Church Year, Pentecost maybe as red as the eggs.) All that preparation, all the expec- and beyond, let us be mindful of the basics, the fundamentals, tation, all the year long — waiting — for this one moment. of our Faith. When we talk to others about Orthodoxy, let us He decided he would remedy this immediately. Discreetly, be careful to keep it simple. he sent a Server out to tell the man just to reply “Christ is We often hear reports and rumors of union — between Risen!” — “No matter what we say, just say ‘Christ is Risen!’” Rome and Orthodoxy; among the American Orthodox juris- Later, as folks shared their feasting foods in the hall, the dictions; between the separated Russian Orthodox, etc. But man approached the priest and said: “Sorry ’bout that. But, I such talk and possible union is bound for failure if not based didn’t know what y’all were saying. I’m just happy to be here!” on the fundamentals, the essentials, the basics. On the Sunday after the Great Feast of the Ascension, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit: God is one. Love God, love Sunday before the Great Feast of Pentecost, we remember the your neighbor. God is simple. Fathers of the First Ecumenical Council. Keep it simple. Why? It’s simple … really. There was confusion in St. After all, even heretics can make it all complicated. Constantine’s empire over the basic truth of the Catholic Faith: Was the Son of God co-equal and co-eternal with God by Fr. Joseph Huneycutt the Father? Or, was the Son of God created later? Fr. Joseph Huneycutt, Associate Pastor of St. George, Houston, is the A great teacher at the time, Arius, claimed the latter. He author of “One Flew Over the Onion Dome — American Orthodox taught that there was “a time when the Son of God was not” Converts, Retreads, and Reverts,” available from Regina Orthodox Press.

6 The Word LebanonLebanon andand SyriaSyria SummerSummer ofof 20062006

This summer, I was supposed to spend a month participating in the Connect program at the University of Balamand, which strives to “offer an opportunity for young men and women residing outside Lebanon to experience and enjoy living, learning, and building human relationships in the beautiful environment of Lebanon.” Balamand is home to a monastery and seminary, and support from the North American Archdiocese is evident in its build- ings and grounds. Situated atop a hill overlooking the Mediterranean, it is a beautiful place. Unfortunately, two weeks into the program, Hezbollah militants and the Israeli army turned Lebanon into a battleground. Already planning to take a weekend excursion into Syria, my classmates and I moved our travel plans up a few hours, cross- ing the border not long before the road we had been driving on was bombed by Israeli fighter jets. I spent six days outside Damascus at the Conference Center at St. Christopheros Monastery, unable to re-enter Lebanon and without most of my pos- sessions, before flying home two weeks earlier than I had planned. I returned home to almost a hero’s welcome, with family, friends and acquaintances telling me how they’d prayed for my safe return, and newspaper and TV reporters clamoring to interview me.

The Word 7 But I hadn’t done anything other than stay in Syria a few breathtaking. days longer than expected. The real heroes were back in the Alejandro Rodea, an Argentinian studying at the Middle East. Balamand Seminary to become a priest, showed special pride Several Balamand students and faculty members signed in the country’s many strikingly beautiful churches and up to be “facilitators” of Connect, and its sister program for monasteries, many of which have relics of the New Testament Spanish speakers, “Lazos.” The programs are open to people era and of the Saints. from all over North and South America, but included mostly When our group went to Syria, many of the facilitators Mexicans and Canadians while I was there. The Lebanese came along, consequently finding themselves separated from students, some of whom were scheduled to graduate in late — and oftentimes unable to contact — their friends and July (a ceremony that was quickly scrapped when the war families as the bombing in Lebanon intensified. Yet, even as began), had decided to give up their summers at home to stay they stared in disbelief at television images of explosions in at school helping foreigners navigate their country, acting as their newly rebuilt capital city, they continued to make our interpreters, tour guides, and friends. They showed us safety and transport home their top priority. Hospitable even around the numerous historic, cultural and religious sites in the worst of times, they seemed determined to make our that dot the Lebanese countryside, proudly pointing out stay in the region pleasant, even while it exploded around ancient landmarks and beautiful new buildings that had them. sprung up after the civil war of the 1970s and 80s. Jad was unable to get hold of anyone in his home town for Pierre Attallah, a Balamand faculty member who I grew days after Israeli rockets knocked out a nearby cell phone especially close to due to his command of the English lan- tower. One night I saw him, after yet another unsuccessful guage, acted as our tour guide in the small, coastal town of attempt to get through, sitting in dejection on the stairs in Batroun, helping us navigate the busy marketplace which has front of our hotel. When he saw me coming, however, he twist- housed businesses for more than 500 years and which now ed his face into a smile and turned his attention to me. Had I includes, in amongst the handcrafts and fresh fruit sellers, called my parents? Was I scared? Was I excited about visiting an internet café. Then, he took us down to the waterfront, some nearby ruins? This man, whose home, for all he knew, showing us a flood wall built by the ancient Phoenicians that could have been destroyed, was most interested in my feel- still keeps the Mediterranean at bay. ings and my well-being. Jad Franjieh, a Balamand senior and avid outdoorsman, Pierre had an opportunity to leave, an available plane took many in our group camping in the famous Cedars region ticket from Damascus to Athens, to the safety of his girl- of the Lebanese mountains. The Cedars, whose beauty is friend’s home in Greece. He didn’t take it. He stayed with his described several times in the Bible, have fallen victim to de- old friends from Balamand and his new friends, the foreign- forestation in recent years, but those that remain are still ers he had escorted to Syria. In Syria, our trip took on a decidedly more religious fla- His Eminence Metropolitan PHILIP Announces the vor, as the program facilitators wanted to be able to pray for their families while showing us as much as they could appointment of under the circumstances. Syria is home to many sites of Christian historical and Very Rev. Anthony Yazge spiritual interest. We visited the monastery of the Virgin as the new Director for the Antiochian Village Camp Mary in Sednaya, outside Damascus, where pilgrims vener- ate an icon of the Theotokos written by Saint Luke himself. His Eminence Metropolitan PHILIP has announced that We were treated like kings and served a sumptuous dinner Very Rev. Anthony Yazge will become the new Director of the by nuns who attend the cave where St. Tekla was miracu- Antiochian Village Camp following the current camping lously delivered from persecution while spreading St. season. He will replace Very Rev. Michael Nasser, who will begin Paul’s message. his missionary work in Mexico as part of Project Mexico. The We also visited the Patriarchal Cathedral and the home appointment was finalized at a meeting on Thursday, June 15, of Ananias, where St. Paul was baptized. The two sites are 2006 held at the Archdiocese Headquarters. That meeting was just blocks from each other in Damascus’ Old City. attended by Mr. Robert Laham, Chairman of the Village In the midst of the selflessness the Lebanese showed, Council, Metropolitan PHILIP, and Fr. Anthony. they displayed their love of their homeland. Every single Fr. Anthony was born in Washington, DC, and is married to Balamand student and faculty member with me in Syria Khourieh Stefanie. They have three children, Matthew, Mark decided quickly that they would return to Lebanon as and Alexis. He graduated from St. Vladimir Seminary in 1988, quickly as possible, but only after they had seen their and previously had earned his BS degree in Special Education guests safely out of harm. There was a commitment even as from The University of Maryland. He has served as the pastor the Israelis decimated the country, that everything would of St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church in Terre Haute, be rebuilt again, not just as it was, but better. Indiana since 1988. Fr. Anthony is no stranger to the work of This commitment was shared not just by those born in our youth and the Camp. From 2004 to the present he has Lebanon, but also by those who had made it their adopted served as NAC Teen SOYO Spiritual Advisor, and for 13 years country. Alejandro, with his Argentinian passport, could before that as Midwest Teen SOYO Spiritual Advisor. Since have been on the other side of the world with ease. But he 2001, he has been the NAC Teen SOYO Special Olympics Camp didn’t use it. Soon after I came home, he returned to Coordinator. As a teenager himself, he served as the President Lebanon to continue his journey to the priesthood in his and Treasurer for both Eastern Region and NAC Teen SOYO. As now war-torn adopted country. far as the Antiochian Village Camp is concerned, Fr. Anthony Lebanon is a peace-loving nation, a country that had was a Camp Counselor, has served for 11 years as a session only recently finished rebuilding from its horrible civil war. priest, and has sent his own children to the camp for the past Its fledgling democratic government was finally on its feet. 10 years. We pray that the Lord will grant Fr. Anthony, Tourists from around the globe were flocking to its beach- Khourieh Stefanie and their children every blessing as they es and historic and religious sites. Then the small nation begin their new life at the Antiochian Village. found itself caught between an extremist militia it couldn’t Everyone who is associated with the Antiochian Village control and a vengeful neighbor it couldn’t stop. Camp will surely miss Fr. Michael Nasser. In his 10 years as And so Lebanon became a battleground once again, Camp Director, significant progress has been made in both the another huge rebuilding task looming once the death and physical facilities, as well as the camping program. Not only destruction end. And once again its selfless, generous peo- has he had a large impact at the Antiochian Village Camp, but ple will pick up the pieces and try to make their country the he has overseen the establishment of our regional camps, peaceful, prosperous place they all know it can be. Then insuring that the same high quality camping experience is tourists, students, and business people from the West maintained for all of our children. His work has been tireless, won’t be the only ones who can go home to safety. and his enthusiasm for the Camp and serving our children has been contagious. We also wish Fr. Michael, Khourieh Vicki, and by Christopher Khorey their children Maria, Joshua, and Elena every blessing as they embark on a very new and challenging life in Mexico. Chris Khorey is a member of St. Nicholas Church, Grand Rapids, MI.

The Word 9 leaving a lasting legacy for Orthodoxy: the Ultimate Gift

“It feels so good to give. It’s a blessing, really.” Dr. Raymond and Georgianna Rishwain

Ray and Georgianna Rishwain, parishioners of St. John stands the need, scope and vitality of the numerous the Evangelist in Orinda, California, are gentle, warm and Archdiocesan programs. He and Georgianna decided that cordial individuals. Devout and earnest in the daily practice their “ultimate gift” is unrestricted, so it will go for the areas of our faith, Ray is a dentist and Georgianna is a teacher. of greatest need. They embrace activities large and small in service to The impact of this gesture will help advance Orthodoxy Orthodoxy. for decades to come, and thereby impact future generations Ray is past chair of the Order of St. Ignatius, Georgianna of Orthodox Christians. serves as historian, and both are life members. The Order Ray has generously allowed me to announce their gift of a crossed the 3,000 member level during Ray’s tenure as chair. life insurance policy for the Archdiocese in order to encour- Georgianna is active with many local Orthodox programs, age all our faithful to realize how simple it is to leave a con- including fundraising for the Patriarch Athenagoras Orthodox tribution for the Archdiocese and one’s local church. Institute (PAOI), an affiliate of the Graduate Theological For example, on a paid-up policy, you can name “The Union on the University of California Berkeley campus. She’s Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America” a member of the PAOI Women’s Board, and Ray’s a Trustee of as owner and beneficiary of the policy, and donate it to the the PAOI Board. Archdiocese. On an existing policy, you may gift the policy on Ray also serves on the Board of Conciliar Press, publish- which premiums remain to be paid. The Archdiocese can be ers of AGAIN Magazine. Conciliar Press is committed to com- named to receive all or a portion of the death benefits payable municating historic Orthodox Christianity to today’s world through a policy, that is, be the primary or secondary benefi- through the internet, printed page, icons, music and media. ciary. A gift of a new insurance policy may be made to the It’s one of the Antiochian Archdiocese’s most effective out- Archdiocese, and you pay the premiums, which will be tax reach and teaching vehicles for non-Orthodox and Orthodox deductible, as this policy is a charitable gift. Christians alike. For a confidential discussion about how you can con- Their adult children are also active. Son Dr. Darron tribute, or make a legacy gift, contact: Rishwain and son-in-law C. Fred Milkie, Jr., are life members Ruth Ann Skaff, Director of The Order, and Fred chairs the Diocese of Los Angeles and Dept. of Planning and Future Development the West. Daughter Tanya Milkie is Dame. 866-765-7001 or [email protected] “As for me and my family, we shall serve the Lord.” Ruth Ann Skaff, Director Joshua 24:10 Department of Planning and Future Development Ray and Georgianna are soft-spoken, yet lead powerfully by example. Several months ago Ray notified me that he has On a personal note, When I joined the Order of St. Ignatius in 1999 during the Parish Life Conference in Memphis, Tennessee, Ray was made the Archdiocese the beneficiary of a six-figure life chair. Bob Koory was immediate past chair and chancellor, and kindly insurance policy. Of course, he and Georgianna discussed sponsored me. I was working at ALSAC/St. Jude Hospital in Memphis. this gift and have provided for their children and grandchil- When Ray phoned to personally welcome me, we discovered we are relat- ed. And many years later, I learned that Ray had submitted my name as dren and their local parish as well. a candidate for the position I now have, Director for the Department of As a long-serving Trustee of the Archdiocese, Ray under- Planning and Future Development. He’s always thinking about the Church!

10 The Word OCMC’s Voices from the Harvest Is God Calling You to be a Missionary? The Orthodox Christian Mission Center (OCMC), us so as to allow in us our hope of humility. The St. Augustine, FL — OCMC Missionaries assist in the Lord blessed me by bringing Christine into my life through growth of the Orthodox Christian Faith around the world and mission contacts. As a result, the Lord blessed us with marriage, two wonderful boys and brought us back many Hierarchs are searching for people to serve the Lord in again into the mission field, filling a need with us in the mission field. Albania under His Beatitude Archbishop Anastasios. I am God calls people from different walks of life and with continually reminded in our work that we only need to many diverse skills and talents to respond to His command- trust in Him and turn to Him for our needs, for the Lord is ment to “go forth and make disciples of all nations.” always there with an invitation for us.” Becoming a missionary is both challenging and demand- ing, yet it is a rewarding opportunity to preach the Gospel of After reading this voice from the harvest, is God calling our Savior, Lord Jesus Christ. As one of our current mission- you to become a missionary?? OCMC missionaries serve as aries, Driko Pappas, reflects on his calling to serve the Lord, teachers at seminaries, child care workers, substance abuse we are reminded of the fulfillment of this calling: counselors, youth workers, English as a second language (ESL) teachers, doctors, nurses and priests. If you’ve only “In our fast paced modern lifestyle one rarely stops to begun to think of the possibilities of a two-year commitment clearly think out what one is doing toward their spiritual as a missionary, please consider contacting the Mission life. In the midst of this fast paced consumer society of Center to find out more about the America, where we slowly sink into the quicksand of the process of becoming a long-term American dream and where we are taught and condi- tioned to go beyond the other in order to be first, God missionary. granted me a moment to reflect on myself. To look a bit Visit our website at closer at what I was doing and in doing thus, I found it www.ocmc.org for opportunities in was all about me. In this gift of a moment’s contempla- the mission field or contact us at tion, I realized the Lord was offering me an invitation, a [email protected], phone 877-GO- calling one might say, to do for others. His offering was to FORTH (463-6784). be a part of the vine of His Holy work. I now realize that this offering of His Holy Vine is offered unto all, but in order We ask for your continued to receive Him one must hear, and in hearing, the hope prayers for all our missionaries. of a new sprout begins. Therefore, there must be those Funds to help support our ministries can be sent to the who go forth and offer the vine not only with words but Orthodox Christian Mission Center to P.O. Box 4319, St. with all goodness, joy and love that comes forth from the Augustine, FL 32085-4319. heart. Beginning in the first years with OCMC, the Lord The Orthodox Christian Mission Center: Helping Orthodox began bestowing my life with His blessings. Called to Christians respond to Christ’s call to preach, teach, baptize, minister to help set up the first church building project in Africa by the poor and make disciples of all nations as the official international an American team, some of the most enjoyable months mission agency of the Standing Conference of the Canonical Orthodox of my life were spent doing His work with the Kenyan peo- Bishops in the Americas (SCOBA). ple. Always seeming to receive more from the experience than I put forth, the Lord continues to do His will, through us, yet allowing the fruits to remain hidden to

The Word 11 St. John the Divine WORD MAGAZINE Oratorical Festival Judges’ Choice— Eve Sapp NAC Judge’s Choice Diocese of Miami and the Southeast I do not know if this has happened to you, it has to me on numerous and far-reaching. several occasions and it is quite annoying. I will be sitting in Tradition is something that seems, each year, nay, month, class and will hear some of my peers discussing religion and to decrease rapidly among the ever-changing American cul- to which church they belong. At a lull in the conversation I will ture. The “progressive” Episcopal church is just one example contribute “Well, I’m Orthodox.” Usually people will respond of the death of tradition. One would think that they would with “Oh, so you’re Russian” or “I didn’t know that you’re recognize that having a homosexual bishop perhaps isn’t the Greek.” My favorite, however, is the response “Wow, so, you’re right course of action. St. John Chrysostom clearly expounds Jewish?” By the time I am done telling them that I am in his Homilies on Matthew Chapter 3 verse 3, “[Certain men Antiochian Orthodox, they have lost all semblances of interest. in church] come in gazing about at the beauty of women; oth- Antiochian Orthodox isn’t nearly as cool as Jewish. It is often ers curious about the blooming youth of boys. After this, do frustrating to me that the great majority of people have a you not marvel that [lightning] bolts are not launched [from limited knowledge of Orthodoxy, beyond what they learned heaven], and all these things are not plucked up from their from the movie “My Big Fat Greek Wedding.” What is my foundations?” vision? Well, kind sirs and madams, that I will reveal to you Thankfully, the Orthodox Church has neither supporters shortly. Every vision stems from an inspiration. The Church is nor zealots that would encourage such things. With the world my inspiration and its works are a constant encouragement. constantly changing and becoming increasingly corrupted by I could stand before you for hours and list what the the media, government and popular opinion, it is assuring to Orthodox Church has done to help those in dire need. In know that there is some place and there are some people who Matthew Chapter 25 verses 35 and 36, Jesus will proclaim to still choose to follow the narrow path, rather than a wide one. the righteous ones that: “For I was hungry and you gave me Now, what exactly are the dreams and visions of this young food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and woman? My standing before you today is a reflection of my you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick visions and dreams. Speaking out and attempting to remedy and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.” The something that I find needs the utmost immediacy. Orthodox Church has done exactly that. To those whose lives I put forth my best effort to stay abreast of current events were destroyed by Hurricane Katrina, Orthodox Christians all and issues that impact not only my city, state and country, but over the nation donated the precious items so desperately my world. In the past year, one issue in particular caught my needed. To those who are continuously subjected to the attention and pervaded my prayers. A woman named Terri ravages of poverty, the Church has instituted places such as Schiavo. We stayed tuned into the news and whenever new the St. Innocent Orphanage in Mexico and the numerous information came onto the screen, I abandoned whatever task missions around the world. The works of the Church are I was doing to watch the updates. Every night I prayed fer-

12 The Word vently that she would be granted life, rather than have it that life begins at conception and that abortion, in any way, is snatched so inhumanely from her. However, something else in wrong. The earliest written Orthodox document condemning particular bothered me. Never once, when I watched the news abortion is the Didache, written in the first century. It explic- or read the papers, did I see any comments or commentaries itly states, “do not murder a child by abortion or kill a newborn from Orthodox leaders. The news shows hosted such people infant.” In the third century, Tertulian expounded that, as Father Frank Pavone of Priests for Life, a Roman Catholic “Abortion is a precipitation of murder, nor does it matter pro-life organization, and the Methodist minister Philip “Flip” whether or not one takes a life when formed, or drives it away Benham, founder of Operation Save America. Both then and when forming, for he is also a man who is about to be one.” now I have wondered why the Orthodox Church was not out- With those statements, and numerous other professions of wardly speaking against the murder of Terri Schiavo. There opinion, one would assume that the Orthodox Church would were countless sermons and articles within the Church, but be overly active in the pro-life community. I was disappointed no newspaper reports or television appearances. Writing such to find that there were only three Crisis Pregnancy Centers things to fellow Orthodox is simply preaching to the choir. How throughout the United States affiliated with the Orthodox does my vision tie into this? Quite simply, the Orthodox Church. In my research, I may have missed one or two when Church needs to make itself known. My vision is just that the going through pages and pages of Crisis pregnancy informa- Church will become, in a respect, like Saint Paul, who spread tion, crisis pregnancy centers, the Orthodox Church and its the Word of God through his travels and letters. It is not as if stance against abortion, and the other numerous topics I we have reason to fear the world, like the apostles once did researched for hours on my computer. I did discover that a after Jesus’ crucifixion. In John Chapter 20 verse 19, it says great majority of churches donate to CPCs, but to me, that is that “the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled, simply not enough. The Pro-Life handbook put out by the for fear of the Jews.” Certainly the Church has no reason to Orthodox Christians for Life encourages churches to be shut its doors. We — the Orthodox Church — need to go forth actively involved. The manual urges all Orthodox Christians to and make ourselves heard. Our leaders need to contact the collect items for pregnancy centers and for the larger church- news stations, newspapers and other forms of national com- es to establish crisis pregnancy centers. Picketing and organ- munication. We ourselves need to do just the same. izing demonstrations are also highly encouraged. Prayer is There is another issue that plagues our world, and has simply one aspect. The manual quotes St. James in his epistle been one which I hold strong opinions against for as long as I that, “Faith without works is dead.” This quote, while it is pre- can recall. I speak now on the slaughtering of innocent, sented nicely on the page, is all but thrown out in reality. The unborn children, also known as abortion. The Church, since “about” page on the website for the Orthodox Christians for the beginning, has made its view on abortion clear. Both the Life says, and I quote, “Orthodox Christians for Life is prima- scriptures and numerous church fathers attend to the belief rily a religious-educational organization and does not organ- ize marches, demonstrations, or sit-ins; however, we do par- ticipate in such Pro-Life events as a group.” What happened to organizing demonstrations and picketing? When suggesting picketing, the manual clearly states that Orthodox Christians do, in fact, picket and supports this claim by prompting the reader to “recall the thousands of Orthodox who rallied out- side the UN for those suffering oppression in the Soviet Union. Surely innocent unborn babies deserve at least this much of an effort.” Where is this effort? Where was the Church during the rescues of the early 90s. I was there, were you? If not at the doorways, in the background silently praying, were you there? Where was the Church when not just any women, but Orthodox women found themselves pregnant and confused? Primarily Orthodox countries have the highest abortion rates Peter Samore (festival coordinator), Metropolitan PHILIP, Eve Sapp of any countries in the world. My dream is to see the Church (with Judges’ Choice trophy), and Bishop ANTOUN. (Continued on Page 26.)

The Word 13 Marriage and family retreat

St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church, Cicero, IL. May 18 2006

FATHER CONSTANTINE NASR, pastor of IT IS A BEAUTIFUL THING to reflect on adults today say that their mothers had a St. Elias Antiochian Orthodox Church in the role of mothers. Mothers have great positive influence on them. Oklahoma City, OK, delivered two evenings of dynamic lectures on marriage influence; becoming a mom means assum- Please take some time to think about and family life at St. George Church in ing an enormous amount of guilt. Am I the influence your mother has had on you, Cicero, IL. The basis of his message doing what is right? Am I doing enough? whether you are twenty years old, thirty comes from Proverbs 22.6: Am I doing too much? What did I do years old, forty years old, or fifty years old. “Train up a child in the way he wrong? What did I do right? Mothers often The role of your mother can never be should go, and when he is old he ask these and many other questions of erased from your mind. There is no dollar will not depart from it.” themselves. But all mothers can be happy value on a mom! for this statistic: eighty-eight percent of Fr. Nasr shows how the concept of Christian love is a powerful tool for battling all the evils that seek to destroy family life in our society. Central to loving our children is that we take the time to form their characters, which is what the Proverbs passage refers to.

14 The Word ABRAHAM LINCOLN WROTE THIS: “All that I am or ever hope to be, I owe it to my angel mother.” AN ANONYMOUS WRITER SAID, “Nobody knows the work it takes to keep the home together. Nobody knows the steps it takes, nobody knows but Two things are certain in this home, and children are much, much mother.” regard. First, a mother’s opinion mat- worse off for it. A father, while he has a ters; and second, a mother has enor- special responsibility to provide for the GEORGE WASHINGTON WROTE THE mous power. We often read about moth- family, must also be a nurturing influ- FOLLOWING: “My mother was the ers who neglect their children. But it is ence, a presence in his children’s lives. I most beautiful woman I ever saw. I good to read about one who approach- always tell folks in marriage counseling attribute all my success in life to the es her parenting responsibilities inten- that any marriage requires three per- moral, intellectual, and physical edu- tionally and intelligently. There is a way sons: the husband, the wife, and God, cation I received from her.” to communicate with children using who holds their hands together tightly. WASHINGTON IRVING SAID, “A mother the mind and the heart, a balanced Only in this can there be love, discipline, is the truest friend we have. When tri- relationship. When I was a boy, my mom and security in proper balance. als heavy and sudden fall upon us, would take me to church. She always Some of you reading this will, God when adversity take the place of pros- wanted to make sure I could kiss the willing, become parents. Some of you perity, when friends who rejoice with icon of the Virgin Mary on the iconosta- are already parents. Ask yourself: what us in our sunshine desert us when sis. She would pick me up and say, is my role as a father or mother to my troubles thicken around us, still she “Kiss the icon!” This memory reminds children? We live in a different world will cling to us and endeavor by her me of King Solomon’s advice in the today, a different culture, than the one kind precepts and counsels to dissi- Book of Proverbs: “Train up a child in from which our parents and grandpar- pate the clouds of darkness and cause the way he should go, and when he is ents came. But to say that raising a peace to return to our hearts.” old he will not depart from it” (22.6). family is fundamentally different, Wherever we go, we must bend the knee We see ourselves today the way we were whether in America or the old country, to our mothers. Whatever happens, we treated as we were being brought up by is nonsense. Raising a family, whether go back and talk to mom. So mothers our parents. So mothers have a great in India or Africa, Russia or Uganda, are dear by the nature of who they are. influence on us and on the way we raise has the same basic objective; the our families. fundamentals do not change. The dif- Although I have been saying these ferences are in the culture, location things about mothers, it is important to and time. Thank God for the cultures realize that a mother cannot effectively we came from! We have learned a lot raise her children alone. It takes anoth- from them. But in America, the culture er partner: a father. So many families is different and therefore requires some today exist without a father around the different parenting techniques. We can-

The Word 15 not take the moral formation of our kids for granted; we find ety today, for it teaches us that we are entitled to have any- ourselves amidst corrupt, declining family life and values. thing we want, whenever we want it. We think we are doing Three-fourths of marriages end in divorce. This is a very high our kids a favor but, in reality, we are spoiling them and leav- statistic! Sixty to sixty-five percent of families today are bro- ing them poorly equipped for real choices in the world. ken homes. Thank God for the Church and for our parents There are powerful tools at our disposal as parents to and the morals and values they have offered us. Yet, we are stem this tide of over-indulging children, and all of them come still heavily influenced by the world outside, bombarded by back to the same thing: love. One important tool we have in

WORD MAGAZINE everything that creeps into our homes from friends, our arsenal is compassion. Parents must be compassionate to strangers, television, music, and the internet. These things each other and to their children. This is love that cannot be can shatter the family structure if we let them. based on material things, fear, or intimidation. We parents are One result of divorce and absent dads and moms is the to love our children, care for them, and mentor them. There over-indulgence of our kids. In his book, Over-Indulging are kids today whose affection is bought by giving, giving, and Children, the author writes: “In a society beset by over-indul- giving, just to try to attain some amount of love. It is very dan- gence, our children are paying too high a price for excess of gerous to over-indulge your children and give them every- wealth and freedom.” On one hand, we have created a pletho- thing they want. This creates in the mind of the child or teen ra of options that bewilder and confuse our young people, and a lack of discipline, vision and responsibility, and a continua- at a minimum distract them. How often have you asked your- tion of want, want and want. Now all of us love our children self what direction this generation is going? All of our young and want the best for them, of course. But what if I decide couples who will have babies in the future, all of you mothers that I love my son more because he is good at basketball? and fathers who already have kids and teenagers: what direc- What if I show my daughter more affection and concern only tion is this generation going? Our children today seem unable because she is good at music? This is love for the wrong rea- to focus and make life-affirming, positive decisions. On the sons! Love means that you give the best to your children

Marriage and family retreat Marriage and family retreat other hand, we parents are so busy with our lifestyle that we equally, regardless of their talents. Not every child is the same leave our children to make product, activity, relationship, career, and life-style choices on their own. Mother is missing today. Father is missing today. Parents are missing their responsibilities. Children have more choices to filter, and at an earlier age, and yet we parents cannot seem to find the time to mentor them effectively. Instead of talking to our chil- dren, we scream at them! We shout at them! Out of guilt, we then give our children too many material things or too much freedom to make choices they are not mentally or emotional- ly equipped to make. I once heard of a young couple with a two-year-old who went out to eat at a restaurant. The father asked the child, “Who do you want to feed you now?” The baby said, “Daddy!” and mommy was relieved. Dad asked after the meal, “Who do you want to wash you?” “Daddy!” said the child, and mommy was again relieved. When it was time to go to the car, “Who do you want to carry you?” “Mommy!” came the reply. This story may sound sweet or silly, but this family is teaching their child to control them! This is not how it is supposed to be! All these choices given to the child are extremely dangerous. They may seem nice, but these parents are planting a seed of control in their child. We ask our kids to make decisions all of the time about this or that, and this is dangerous to our soci-

16 The Word as another child. Expectations from parents must realize for our not being around. I asked an eight-year-old child once, this. Out of love, we forget that each is unique and cannot be “What do you have in your bedroom?” The child responded, “I put down. One if faster, one is slower. One excels in music, have a telephone, a TV, a computer, a Nintendo …” and the another in mathematics. One is short, one is tall, one is list went on and on. And when that child does something bad, blind. We all have strengths and weaknesses, but we cannot do you know what his mother tells him? “Go to your room!” He be under a false pretense by giving one child more affection is supposedly being punished, but he’s in there having a good than another. time! When things like this happen, children begin to own you Love must also be consistent. When you discipline a instead of you guiding and directing your children through child, you say “no” out of love. You must be firm. You cannot life. And we should think very seriously about television in the say “yes” one time and then “no” the next. In everything, you home. Imagine your garbage man coming to your door. must be firm with your children. Instead of taking your trash, he brings several cans of Love involves listening. Listening is taking into consider- garbage and dumps them right onto your living room carpet. ation what your child has to say, in compromising when it is Imagine how violated you would feel! But this occurs all the right, in avoiding attacks, in meeting legitimate needs, in for- time across our country. The real garbage does not enter giveness when wrong has been done. Many of us do not want through the door but through the screen of your TV set or to talk with our children because we are too busy; we have no computer, spewing garbage all over our minds. The sacred time. We would rather scream at them or simply load them up precincts of our minds are not created for refuse, but for with more material gifts. We tell ourselves that this is love and noble, pure and praiseworthy thoughts. If we do not guide our that they love us parents for this. But in the minds of our chil- children in the right way, who is guiding them? There is a vac- dren, they will soon have no place or time for us, which cre- uum that must be filled, and most of the time it is filled by TV ates a vacuum. Children, teens, and even adults need a con- and the internet. sistent display of love and discipline with compassion, not Know that even while living in this corrupt society where intimidation. Listening also involves listening to your spouse. families are broken, we do not have to be like the rest of the What you do and say between you and your spouse greatly world. As I said earlier, affects the lives of your children, even if they are only infants! The Japanese music teacher Suzuki has achieved interna- “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is tional fame and success with his method for teaching music old he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22.6). by listening. At six weeks, he has children listening to the classics in their cribs. By the time the children are three Fathers and mothers must work together in harmony on years old, they start formal lessons. At age seven, they can this. Parents must take time to communicate, with each other play Vivaldi, all by listening. Even at the youngest age, children and with children. This is one of the great purposes of gath- listen. And everything we say or do influences them. ering around the table for a family meal. It is an important Love must include character formation. Our children will and vital time for the family to communicate. Shut the televi- be whatever we train them to be, whether good or bad. If you sion off, and talk about the things that transpired during the are negative, sarcastic and bitter at home, then there is a day. We must remember our responsibility, not only to love great chance your kids will end up the same way. If your lives God and our children, but to spend time with them. How often reflect the love of Jesus Christ, then your children will get the do your kids see you and your spouse hugging and enjoying message. It will be clear because you speak of Him at the sup- each other? Children need to see that daddy and mommy love per table, in the car on the way to church, and on family out- each other, that they can talk to each other and say “I’m ings. And of course we should not only speak of Jesus Christ, sorry,” if necessary. Men, don’t be a macho man; admit it but live for Him in the family setting. when you make a mistake! Children see what their parents do So it is important to realize that we are molding our kids and they pay attention. Through effort and intentional direc- at home. Just like a potter with his clay, whatever we do and tion, we can form our kids, training them up in the way they say, our children will become. If mom or dad is constantly should go. missing-in-action, the kids either end up “just bumming around” or getting over-indulged by our attempts to make up

The Word 17 OCF holds first-ever Chaplains Conference

Boston, MA — Orthodox Christian Fellowship (OCF) held its first- ever Chaplains Conference for clergy and lay leaders May 2-4, 2006 at the Antiochian Village Conference Center in Ligonier, PA. This fantastic retreat brought together twenty clergy and lay OCF chaplains from throughout North America. The conference hosted OCF Chaplains from schools including Pennsylvania State University, University of Arizona - Tucson and as far away as the University of Alaska - Fairbanks. The conference focused on establishing a dialogue with this ministry group, with each chaplain sharing their approach, successes, and obstacles. With an estimated 40,000 Orthodox College students on campus each year, the conference was an essential time to allow chaplains to network together to learn how to minister more effectively to the students. The three-day event included round-table discussions, break- out sessions, daily worship services and team-building activities on a ropes course. The morning spent on the ropes course quickly became a highlight of the conference, with chaplains bonding together to overcome challenges put before them and relating the immediate challenges to those they encounter in campus ministry. The conference will continue OCF’s vital growth, particularly resulting in sustenance and growth of the 200+ established OCF chapters, thus breaking the current pattern of making an OCF vulnerable when a motivated student leader graduates or an effective chaplain is relocated. Rev. George Pyle, National OCF Chaplain, shared, “This conference served as a great blessing, networking our chaplains for the first time, to help them shep- herd our flock on college campuses. We are setting the course to continue and expand this conference to work towards OCF’s goal of not leaving one student behind.” The activities of the conference concluded with strategizing for future growth and setting goals for the 2007 conference. This energizing and crucial conference was made possible by an extremely generous grant from The Order of St. Ignatius of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America. Plans for next year’s conference are underway and information will be available in early 2007. Orthodox Christian Fellowship is the official campus ministry pro- gram of the Standing Conference of Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the Americas (SCOBA). It is a pan-Orthodox effort which is overseen by an Executive Committee and assisted by a Student Advisory Board. Additional information on the Chaplains Conference and all OCF pro- grams can be found on the OCF web-site at www.ocf.net, or by calling toll-free at 800-919-1623.

18 The Word DEPARTMENT OF YOUTH MINISTRIES DEPARTMENT OF YOUTH MINISTRIES NAC SOYO Special Olympics Sports Camp Fr. Anthony’s voice comes over the microphone — “Good It’s 7 in the Morning! morning. It’s great to see you all awake and energetic. This By Sarah Kurian morning, Andrew Hadeed is dismissing. SOYO Coaches on the cleaning crew are: Marie, Alex M., Jenny, Matt Y., David, It’s 7 in the morning. My alarm goes off. I climb down my and Ranya. Now, we’ll stand and pray.” bunk and take a look around the cabin. The athletes are still Everyone stands up. Athletes and coaches respectfully asleep, while Pat, my SOPA (Special Olympics of take off their hats. “In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Pennsylvania) coach, is already in the shower … so begins Spirit. Amen. Our Father, who art in heaven …” As we another day at SOYO Special Olympics Sports Camp. intone the Our Father, I hear athletes join in. You can hear By a quarter to eight, most of our cabin is ready, with the their voices, uneven and wavering, carefully saying the exception of Christal and Suellen. They still have to brush words. Even some of the SOPA coaches say the prayer with their teeth. Ten minutes later, we’re hiking up the hill. Our us. We turn to face Fr. Anthony, as he blesses us and the progress is slow. Usually Mary likes to have me hold her food. The final “Amen” echoes for a second, then the normal hand — so that she doesn’t trip over tree roots or rocks. mealtime noise and chatter resume. Our sluggish procession makes its way up the hill until we Shouts of “Andrew! Andrew!” reverberates throughout finally make it to the Pavilion … more athletes and coaches the dining hall. Everyone’s hungry, they want to eat. keep pouring in from all sides. Athletes give hugs, sing songs, do push-ups, cheer and What does Special Olympics Sports Camp mean to the shout, bang on tables, trying to persuade Andrew to dismiss athletes? Ask Loretta Claiborne! On any day during the year, them so they can get their food next. she will tell you exactly how many days are left until sports After everyone’s done eating and they’ve called seconds, camp. This camp has been called “the highlight of my sum- the SOYO Cleaning Crew for the meal starts its work. And mer” by many athletes, SOYO (representing NAC Teen everyone enjoys yelling, “What time is it? It’s clean-up SOYO) coaches, and SOPA coaches and volunteers over the time!” years. Yet, these words don’t seem to do justice to this awe- After the tables are cleaned up, we often have extra time some, life-changing experience. — so, as Al Grenier, one of the SOPA coaches this year, said Suddenly, a loud, booming voice over the microphone “Let’s pump it up!” This is where the SOYOs begin their interrupts the morning: “Okay, athletes. Let’s start stretch- magic. Camp songs — from the sentimental old-timers to ing!” — It’s Coach Steve Dinardo. Athletes love this part of the downright silly — are revived. “The Beaver Song,” “The the day. The SOYOs, seeing their enthusiasm, have no Banana Song,” “The Bear Song,” “The Bubblegum Song,” choice but to join in, though we’re tired and sleepy. We yell “Boom, Chika-Boom,” and others are sung (or rather yelled) and count the number of jumping jacks we do … and in our by SOYO coaches, running and jumping up and down the own youthful ways, we try to infuse more fun and laughter dining hall. The excitement is infectious, and the dining into the whole experience. room is bursting with energy. It’s a lot of fun for everyone. The bell rings. It’s 8 o’clock. Athletes and coaches alike ☺ Finally, we say the closing prayer — including the Psalm groan … now it’s time to jog — walk — run around the of Thanksgiving (O Give Thanks unto the Lord) — and 1500m track. Fifteen minutes later, after a lot of high-fives head to our Primary Sports. and encouragement, the entire camp makes it back up to Every morning, the athletes work on a chosen “Primary” the pavilion, as visions of warm oatmeal and French toast sport. Different aspects of the sport are coached by the swirl around in our heads … we’re on our way to the dining SOYOs, with guidance and supervision from the SOPA hall for breakfast. coaches and clinicians. It’s amazing to see how these bois- The waiters have set the table and are bustling around terous teens suddenly take on this mantle of adulthood, and to get water pitchers, fruit, and syrup for each table. Then, they do it well. They show true patience and kindness and

The Word 19 forget themselves when they work with the athletes. Anybody But, my favorite part each night is when they’re just set- would be proud of these young men and women, as they live ting things up and we’re waiting … they play music and we up to what’s expected of them — and beyond. can dance, play card games, tell jokes, or just talk. For pop- During the afternoon, when the athletes rotate through ular songs like the YMCA song, “It’s Electric”, and the different sports, grouped by ability-level, the SOYOs step up Macarena, the whole camp goes out on the dance floor. And even more — even running the drills and setting up games you should see the dancing … the athletes put the coaches for fun competition. The SOYO-beans, as we are affection- to shame! They know all the moves and just love to dance — ately called, also get to play in the afternoon games (soccer, their faces just glow with joy. volleyball, bocce, softball, etc.) with the athletes. Ask you Unfortunately, our week at camp flies by quickly. walk through the fields, however, one thing you’ll see, or Athletes, coaches and volunteers must return home. We probably hear, everywhere is the cheering and shouts of leave with sadness, but we leave with many good memories, encouragement. Athletes and coaches alike join in, enthusi- too. Memories of friendship and fun, campfires and s’mores, astically. It’s heartening to hear all those voices — spurring camp songs and movie nights, hot afternoons in the sun, on others to do their best. splashing in the pool, bowling at Richland Lanes, dancing in Special Olympics athletes come in all shapes and sizes, the Pavilion, walking around the track, smiles, high-fives … colors and ages. Some are adults; others are children or the list goes on. teens. Some are African Americans; others are Asian or All but two (officials from SOPA) who come to this camp Hispanic. They come from all over Pennsylvania, represent- are volunteers — whether they’re from SOYO, from our ing many different counties. church, or from different parts of Pennsylvania. We come In fact, our SOYO coaches come from all over the conti- together once a year for sports camp — an unforgettable nent as well. Some came from as far as California (Mark week. Thank you NAC SOYO! Ajalat, Justin Nichols), Oregon (Andrew Hadeed, Matthew Hadeed), and Canada (Joe El Achhab). Others came from • You can help make the 2007 SOYO Special Olympics New York (Stephen Davan, Athena Drellos, Rima Sayegh, Sports Camp a reality by sending a donation to NAC Christian Sayegh, Marie, Mary Sayegh), Massachusetts SOYO Special Olympics — c/o The Department of (Alex Mackoul, Nick Abdelahad, Elana Jabbour, Samantha Youth Ministry, PO Box 389, Westwood, MA 02090. Rovers, Allie Earle), Pennsylvania (Ramy Khalil, Chris NAC SOYO needs to raise $50,000 to host the 2007 Shadid, Mark Khoury), Illinois (Alex Kurian, David Kurian, SOYO Special Olympics Sports Camp — you can be Sarah Kurian), Michigan (John Abud, Angela Sultani, Jenny part of this ministry by making a donation. Checks Abueita), Kentucky (Stephen Jacobs, Amanda Morgan), should be made payable to “NAC SOYO Special Connecticut (John George), Indiana (Matt Yazge), Virginia Olympics”. (Ranya Eid), and Ohio (Kamel Ansara). Some drove, some flew. All came to the holy mountain for • To be a Teen SOYO Coach, download the 2007 this one life-changing experience, which every teen, in my Special Olympics SOYO Coach Application from opinion, should go through — at least once. Many of us www.teensoyo.org hope to be back next year. Cabin-time! We head back to our cabins, once the after- noon sports rotation is through. Showers, jokes, naps, chats, and fun a-plenty fill up this hour before dinner. On the last day, we even had a pool party! Each night, after dinner, the Special Olympics DEPARTMENT OF YOUTH MINISTRIES DEPARTMENT Committee plans a different “Evening Program” activity. This year, we had a movie night, campfire & hayride, bowling night (we traveled in buses to a nearby bowling alley), Scavenger Hunt & Talent Show, and a special Farewell Dance (on the last night).

20 The Word Hey Father Anthony, It’s Mary Sayegh (from Special Olympics). I’m just emailing you to see how you are and how things are going at our home away from home . I’m also emailing you to thank you SO much for giving me the opportunity to be a coach at Special Olympics this DEPARTMENT OF YOUTH MINISTRIES year. I admit that the first day was extremely scary and I was beyond nervous; however, as the week went on and as I started to interact with the athletes I realized that it was the most amazing experience of my life and I have you to thank for that. I think we all grew from this week. I gained NAC Teen SOYO a whole new respect for mentally challenged people and I 2006 Leadership Conference learned that they’re just like us. These athletes had such a love and kindness in their The melodic strains of music beckoned as I walked down hearts which showed through in all that they did through- the stairs. Voices sang in unison the petitions: “Lord have out the week. Some of them were more loving than the mercy.” The sweet-smelling incense greeted me in clouds of people I interact with everyday. Competition day, as they wispy smoke as I entered the chapel. Drawn by an inexpli- were walking towards the pavilion, I felt so happy for them cable pull, my soul felt at peace and joyful, and I was faced and for all they learned and achieved throughout the with the reality that I was on “the holy mountain,” as it is so week. During training Saturday we were told that it does- lovingly called. n’t matter if they win, it’s whether they gained something, and I truly believed that on competition day. “Let me win, But if I do not win, Let me be brave in the attempt.” Each athlete showed bravery and courage and love towards all at the camp. This past week was extremely fulfilling and enjoyable. I made friendships with both athletes and coaches which will last a lifetime. I think leaving was more depressing than when I left Jordan earlier this summer. I, as well as all the other coaches, just felt so at home at the camp. We were with people that understood the Orthodox way of life, which was AMAZING because none of my friends understand why I’d rather go to a SOYO event than go out with them. For my first experience at the village, I think it was really rewarding and hopefully I’ll get to experience it again. This summer, from July 21st – July 26th, teens from Thank you for everything. It was an amazing week and across the continent gathered at the Antiochian Village I took from it more than I expected to. Please keep in Heritage & Learning Center for the second annual SOYO touch. ☺ Leadership Conference. This conference is held to equip newly-elected NAC and diocesan officers of Teen SOYO with God Bless, the skills to successfully accomplish their duties as officers. This year, the teens assembled for six days, broken up into Mary Sayegh training (consisting of workshops and presentations), meet- ings (for SOYO business), and fellowship (can’t forget that!). As part of our Leadership Training Sessions, we enjoyed workshops and presentations from a variety of speakers

The Word 21 ings, keeping the organization on-track, the importance of communication, recognizing our strengths and weakness- es, and fostering creativity. We also broke off into groups by officer-type. Presidents and Vice Presidents worked on preparing agen- das and facilitating/running meetings. The secretaries learned about organizing and formatting minutes and keeping more precise records of minutes. The treasurers discussed keeping accurate records of transactions, arranging financial reports, and tips for collecting dues and other financial obligations. Learning these skills per- taining to specific offices was one of the fundamental goals for our training sessions. These experiences proved invaluable, as we soon put including: Fr. Michael Tassos, Dan & Kathy Abraham, them to the test during our own meetings as NAC SOYO. Cathy Snyder, Michael Purpura, and Ed Assile. We dis- During our SOYO business-meetings, we accomplished a cussed our responsibilities as leaders and officers of Teen number of things as well. We formed six different commit- SOYO. Our speakers spoke on many topics including: effec- tees for various projects we’re working on, including our tively motivating others, preparing for and running meet- “Sacred Gift of Life” Sunday and several promotional videos for Special Olympics Awareness Day and the NAC SOYO Youth Worker Fund. Also, our NAC SOYO Constitution underwent major revision (we worked late into the night, fixing it up) and, after much deliberation, was unanimously adopted. We also drew up a resolution to be sent to SCOBA (the Standing Conference of Orthodox Bishops in America) appealing for Orthodox unity in North America. In addition, we elected a new Executive Board of NAC officers as follows:

President – George Sackllah Vice President – Chris Shadid Treasurer – Brigitte Ayoub Secretary – Katherine Atty

Each day began and ended with prayer – Matins, Vespers, Compline, etc. Many teens chanted, sang, and served in the altar. Praying as a community brought us all together and helped us keep focused throughout the day. One afternoon, we took a break from meetings and enjoyed each other’s fellowship outdoors. We played bas- ketball and volleyball, went swimming, played card games, DEPARTMENT OF YOUTH MINISTRIES DEPARTMENT and even enjoyed a game of barefoot soccer together. Throughout the week, we built friendships – working, play- ing, eating (of course!), and just “hanging out” together. Every teen I spoke to said he/she had learned many things from the conference and gained some ideas for

22 The Word If you would like to help fund a Teen SOYO member attend the 2007 SOYO Leadership Conference, you may make a donation by check made payable to “SOYO Leadership Conference” and mail it to the Department of Youth Ministry – PO Box 389 – Westwood, MA 02090, or

make a donation online at www.teenSOYO.org . DEPARTMENT OF YOUTH MINISTRIES Please Note: The 2007 SOYO Leadership Conference will take place Sunday July 22 – Wednesday July 25, 2007 at the Archdiocese Convention in Montreal, Canada. All newly-elected Diocesan and NAC Officers are expected to be in attendance, in accordance with the requirements of election to SOYO office. All Diocesan SOYO Spiritual Advisors and Youth Directors are asked to place these dates on their calendars. Diocesan Presidents and NAC Officers will be required to stay on through Friday evening July 27, so they may also attend the Archdiocese General Assembly on Thursday and Friday.

their own diocesan SOYOs. This conference was very con- structive – we not only learned more about leading our SOYO groups, we met people who’ve become our support- network of friends. My peers even said they were learning skills at the SOYO Leadership Conference that they hadn’t learned before and weren’t getting anywhere else. This conference was important in that it brought together the current leaders of our organization and helped us chart our course for the year. We made much progress as an organization and learned a great deal as officers. Without the guidance and help, however, of our spiritual and lay advisors, lead by Fr. Joseph Purpura and Fr. Anthony Yazge, we could not have accomplished so much. It is interesting to note that we, as a body, asked that this conference be held every year – so as to further the work of SOYO and equip successive generations of teens for such work in the Church. We thank God for His great mercy in allowing us to have this conference and we ask for your prayers and continued support as we embark on this new year full of exciting ideas and projects. May God’s love and mercy continue to abound as we do this blessed work “…for with God, all things are possible” (Matt. 19:26).

By Sarah Kurian 2005-2006 NAC SOYO Secretary

The Word 23 to be kept close to the Church. This is especially essential in the world we live in today. What had once started as a small youth initiative has grown into an Archdiocesan Youth Movement that focuses on the Orthodox faith and bringing young people into relationship with the Church and Jesus Christ. This is done today through a platform of living the Orthodox Faith in Christ through worship, wit- ness, service and fellowship. The teens of the 1960’s, 70’s, 80’s and 90’s have built a foundation of traditions that is carried on through SOYO. In order for a fruitful future SOYO to prosper, today’s teens call upon all of the past SOYO members to assist the present and aspiring SOYO members. For this to occur, we call upon our past SOYO members for their sup- port of the NAC SOYO Youth Workers Scholarship Fund. The St. John Chrysostom Youth Workers Scholarship Fund has been established to help educate Parish Youth Workers. As former NAC President Elaina Matook has said: “The teens feel a strong need for an increased num- ber of better trained and educated Youth Workers for guid- ance, support, and assistance in SOYO activities.” We teens do not have the personal resources to fund this scholarship. We are urging the teens of the past, who through blessings of our good Lord, have done well in their respective professions, to step forward and help fund this worthwhile cause. You can make a difference in “Uniting the Past and the Present in the lives of your children and the teens of your parish by Order to Provide for the Future” offering your financial support of the St. John Chrysostom By Brigitte Ayoub, NAC Teen SOYO Treasurer Youth Worker Scholarship Fund. You may make a onetime gift or pledge over several years. For decades, teens have inspired others to grow in In addition, we ask that you pray for the teens of SOYO their faith and in their love for Jesus Christ and His and volunteer to assist the teens in your local parish. We Church. According to His Eminence Metropolitan Philip also ask all former teen members to contact us at who founded the Society of Orthodox Youth Organization [email protected] with your: (SOYO) on the North American level in 1969, the impor- • Current (and past) name: tance of starting Teen SOYO was to provide the teens of • Current address: the archdiocese with programs that will keep them close • E-mail: to the Church. As a result of their involvement in Teen • Telephone number: SOYO, teens of the past are now serving the Orthodox • Please include the positions you held in (teen) Church and our Archdiocese in a variety of ministries, SOYO various levels such as NAC, Diocese or Region, or while others are using their God-given gifts to be faithful local SOYO Chapters: DEPARTMENT OF YOUTH MINISTRIES DEPARTMENT stewards of the Church in many other professions. Those This information will allow us to properly record your teens are now in their twenties, thirties, forties and fifties. involvement in SOYO for our SOYO and archdiocese histo- Many of them have children who are members and leaders ry and will also allow us to stay in touch with you. of SOYO today. As teens of this archdiocese, we have taken the initia- These teens and a great many others especially need tive to assist in the education process of our Parish Youth

24 The Word DEPARTMENT OF YOUTH MINISTRIES

Workers and now call upon you, our brothers and sisters in Christ, for your assistance in following through with establishing this fund and ministry. Donations to the Youth Worker Scholarship Fund may be made by mailing a check made payable to “NAC SOYO St John Chrysostom Youth Worker Fund” and mailed to: NAC SOYO — Department of Youth Ministry — PO Box 389 —Westwood, MA 02090. Donations may also be made online at www.teenSOYO.org • More information on the NAC SOYO Youth Worker Fund can be found at: http://www.antiochian.org/youth_worker_fund • More information on educating our Parish Youth Workers is on the web at: http://www.antiochian.org/education_parish_youth_d irectors

The Word 25 (Continued from Page 13.)

archdiocesan taking the initiative and assisting lost mothers, boldly assert- ing that the Church holds abortion as wrong, and actively fighting against this ongoing war. If I could prophesy, I would office hope that I would be able to see Orthodox Crisis pregnancy centers in abundance. I would hope to see Orthodox-organ- ized pickets and demonstrations and public displays. I would APPOINTED hope to see thousands upon thousands of women and babies WASHBURN, Priest George, as Pastor of St. John the Evangelist being rescued by Orthodox Christians from the horrors of Church, Orinda, CA, effective September 1, 2006. abortion. I did not come to point fingers or make accusations or HAAS, Priest Mark, as Interim Pastor at St. James the Brother of the Lord Church, Fort Collins, CO, effective September 1, 2006. offend, just to share my visions. The topic states to be specif- ic as to what I think the Orthodox Church needs to do for me, AL-DEHNEH, Priest George, as Pastor of St. George Church, El my peers and North America. I can summarize in just one Paso, TX, effective September 1, 2006. word what the Church needs to do for my peers and this SEIB, Deacon Dionysius, to St. George Church, Portland, OR, country: Evangelize. Openly proclaim the views and opinions effective September 1, 2006. of the Church, whether it concern “mercy killing,” abortion or homosexuality. Step out in front of the abortion mills or news SAUNDERS, Deacon Douglas Mark, to St. Mark, Denver, CO, cameras. For myself, my most poignant vision of all is some- effective September 1, 2006. thing quite simple: that someday, my children can go to ATTACHED school and say “Well, I’m Orthodox,” and not be confronted with the same questions in which I am quite often. I want PHILLIPS, Priest Paul, to Ss. Constantine and Helen Church, Dallas, TX, effective August 13, 2006. future generations, the generations of my children and grandchildren, to know the Orthodox Church, not by movies SCHERER, Priest Kevin, to St. John the Baptist Church, Post Falls, or nationalities, but by what it has done to change our world. ID, effective September 1, 2006. Eve Sapp is a member of St. Andrew Church, Eustis, FL. LEAVE OF ABSENCE CRANOR, Priest Mark, effective September 1, 2006. Calling All Orthodox Christian MISSION NAMED Financial Advisors

The new mission in Lynchburg, VA, has been named the Church We Orthodox Christians can remember our local parishes of the Holy Trinity. and the Archdiocese in our wills, living trusts, and estate plans. I welcome all financial advisors, attorneys, realtors, estate planners, insurance agents, and related professions to contact me. I’d like to inform you about Leave a Lasting Legacy for Orthodoxy, so that you can counsel your Orthodox clients. Please contact me: Ruth Ann Skaff Director of Planning and Future Development 10620 River Road Potomac, MD 20854 Phone: 301-765-7001 Fax: 301-765-6267 E-mail: [email protected]

26 The Word communities in action

Jamie Issac does a Mary Kay “Satin Hands” treatment for Bishop BASIL

St. Philip Teen SOYO — Edmonton, Alberta “So remember your creator in the days of your youth … ” Eccl. 12:1 St. Philip Teen SOYO had a very suc- cessful year in 2005/2006 under the spiritual care of our priest, Fr. Elias Ferzli, and the under the guidance of Fady Sakkab, our Youth Director. Some of our accomplishments for the The hostesses from St. George, El Paso, TX and the priest wives of the Diocese of Wichita and past year are: record attendance in our Mid-America weekly Bible studies. We really enjoyed First Annual Party Honoring the bag of products from Mary Kay, as well our studies in the book of Acts of the Priest Wives as a bag of assorted items including Apostles and, as a result, our team Helen of Troy, Sally Hansen, Escada, and Saint George in El Paso, Texas hosted placed 3rd in the Bible Bowl at the Gucci products. We felt so loved and the Parish Life Conference this year Parish Life Conference in San Diego. appreciated. This event, by the way, was here in the Diocese of Wichita and Mid- The SOYO started off the New Year not a ticketed event. It was entirely America. They were gracious hosts to all with a fresh commitment to love, obey donated. Along with the people of Saint of us. The most exciting part to me was and to serve the LORD. We realize that George in El Paso, parishioners from the party they threw to pamper the cler- the teens are the future of the Church Houston, Oklahoma City, New York and gy wives. Leila Ferris (convention and as such we made a strong commit- Dallas donated as well. On behalf of all chair), Jamie Issac, Danielle Prontka, ment to learn more about our faith and the clergy wives of the Diocese of Nan Gillette, and the ladies of Saint to show others how we can act in accor- Wichita and Mid-America, I want to George treated us to a relaxing after- dance with our faith. In addition to our thank Bishop BASIL for blessing us with noon including wine, “maza,” massages, weekly gathering, we had special full- his permission and presence at the hand treatments, facials, manicures, day retreats that covered a number of party. We are so fortunate to have his and pedicures. We laughed and really interesting topics. The first retreat we understanding and patience. Also, I enjoyed being together. Many women want to thank Leila Ferris and all the commented that they have not had a people from Saint George and in the pedicure, manicure, or facial in a long Diocese (and New York!) who helped time or ever. Not only did these women this event take place. May God bless you treat us to a relaxing afternoon, we did and grant you all many years! not go away empty-handed. Both hands, in fact, had a bag to carry! We received a

The Word 27 had was on the topic of the Sacraments The Very Reverend Paul W. S. Officer of the Archdiocese for forty of the Church. Another retreat that we Schneirla, Pastor Emeritus of St. years, and remains Vicar General of the really enjoyed was a special presenta- Mary’s Orthodox Church, Brooklyn, Western Rite. He was twice editor of The tion by Archpriest Joseph Sakkab on the New York Celebrates 90th Birthday WORD, and founder and editor of rich history and symbolism of the Holy CREDO, the Western Rite periodical. He On April 9, 2006, the Ladies of St. Orthodox Church. Another retreat cov- has authored numerous publications on Mary’s Antiochian Orthodox Church in ered the topic of abortion, as well as scripture, ecumenism, and Eastern Brooklyn, New York sponsored their other issues that face the youth of today. Orthodox history, and is the recipient of annual Lenten Luncheon on behalf of As a group, we were really happy to be various honors, including the Arch- the 2006 project of the Antiochian able to sponsor a young needy two-year- priesthood from our Archdiocese, a Orthodox Christian Women of North old boy in Achrafieh, Lebanon, through scarlet sash from the Serbian Church, America (AOCWNA). the Orthodox Children’s Relief Fund. It and other decorations. In addition to supporting the Retired was a wonderful experience to know A member of the organizing commit- Clergy Fund through AOCWNA, the that we are making a difference in a tee that drew up the constitution of The Ladies’ Luncheon celebrated the 90th child’s life. Standing Conference of Canonical Birthday of Pastor Emeritus Father Paul Teen SOYO, with the assistance our Orthodox Bishops (SCOBA) in 1960 Schneirla. More than 165 parishioners Antiochian Women, cooked and served a under Archbishop Iakovos, Father and many other old friends attended the meal to about 320 people of Edmonton’s Schneirla was General Secretary of luncheon to see Father Paul again and homeless. What an experience that was! SCOBA for over ten years, and is still on were extremely pleased to find that he It was a true blessing to all involved. its Study and Planning Commission. was still characteristically, “never bet- The SOYO also is active in our church He was a member of the General ter.” He was also joined by his wife of services. During the Lenten season, Board of the National Council of sixty-four years, Khourieh Shirley, and Teen SOYO participated in the worship Churches, and was a representative of their children, Dorothy Orrill and Peter by serving in the altar, reciting the read- his Archdiocese to the Federal Council Schneirla. ings and the chanting. of Churches, the body that developed Father Michael Ellias and Khourieh On this special occasion, the 25th into the National Council. He was a Laila hosted the celebration, and Father anniversary of our beloved church, we founding member of the international Paul’s long-time colleague, Father Peter wish to express our gratitude to Orthodox-Roman Catholic Consultation, Jacobsen of the Western Rite Vicariate, Almighty God for allowing our church to as well as the Orthodox-Anglican offered the sermon at the Liturgy. grow, and we pray that He will help us to Consultation. Holding the record for the longest continue to be strong participants in An articulate and passionate tenure of any priest in the Archdiocese, every aspect of our church for His glory spokesperson for the Eastern Orthodox Father Paul was ordained to the priest- and honor. We also like to thank His Church, Father Paul appeared for some hood by the late Metropolitan ANTONY Grace Bishop JOSEPH for his guidance years on numerous CBS television pro- Bashir in November 1942, and served at and prayers. Of course, we can’t forget grams, including interviews he conduct- St. Mary’s since it was founded in 1951 to thank Fr. Elias, our priest and Fady ed with other theologians and religious until his retirement in October, 2002. Sakkab, our youth director, for all the leaders. Other activities and accom- Over and above being a parish priest time, effort, care and knowledge that plishments to the side, Father Paul was in the Archdiocese for sixty years, they have given us during the past years. first and foremost a parish priest who Father Paul was also Professor Emeritus Also, we would like to thank our told an audience of seminarians that, for of Old Testament at St. Vladimir’s Antiochian Women, and last but not him, there was nothing more rewarding Theological Seminary, where he joined least, we thank our parish council for than serving his parishioners. the faculty in 1953, serving as faculty their support and for allowing us the Born William Sutfin Schneirla to secretary. He was a charter member and chance to compete in the Bible Bowl in Jacob Walter Schneirla and Iva Mildred is past president of the Orthodox San Diego. Sutfin on April 11, 1916 in Ophir, Alaska, Theological Society in America. he began life in a gold-mining camp Father Paul was also Ecumenical

28 The Word Communities in Action WORD MAGAZINE

owned and operated by his family. Seminary and Columbia University, both Father Paul expressed his joy at seeing Raised as a Protestant, an interest in in New York City. everyone and for having the opportunity history lead Father Paul to the study of On June 12, 1942, he married Shirley to speak with many of his former parish- the Orthodox Church. William Schneirla Dillon Warriner Page from New York City, ioners one at a time. In closing, he was ordained to the priesthood and and Far Hills, New Jersey. They had thanked Father Michael and Khourieh given the name “Paul” by Archbishop three children, Dorothy Page Schneirla Laila, the Ladies and the parishioners ANTONY Bashir. He served at St. Mary’s Orrill, William Sutfin Schneirla, Jr., and of St. Mary’s for their planning and par- in Iron Mountain, Michigan in conjunc- Peter Christian Schneirla. ticipation in the celebration of his birth- tion with St. Simon’s in Ironwood, Since his retirement, Father Paul has day. He said he was moved by the Michigan; followed by St. George’s in had time to write more and devote his response to his visit and very happy to Allentown, Pennsylvania; and then in efforts full time to work he long did out- be back with his former flock, if only for 1951 he was appointed to St. Mary’s, side the parish. He has currently under- a few hours. Brooklyn. taken a history of SCOBA – he is the last Many Years, Father Paul! Father Paul received a B.A. from the survivor of the founding group – and is University of Western Ontario in 1937, a collaborating on histories and biogra- Master of Divinity from St. Vladimir’s phies of projects and persons within the Seminary, Yonkers, New York, and did Church. graduate work at Union Theological At the end of the luncheon on April 9,

The Word 29 bible bowl 2006

WHAT AN EXCITING NAC BIBLE BOWL we had this year at the Archdiocese Summer meetings at the Antiochian Village. This event is sponsored by the Fellowship of St. John the Divine, under the leadership of the Festival Coordinators, Esther Simbol and Michelle Mike Nicholas. The topic this year was Acts. We had seven Diocesan teams represented; the winners of this year’s NAC Bible Bowl was the team from the Midwest Diocese, representing St. Nicholas Church, Grand Rapids, MI. The team consisted of Allison Assaly, Katie Lubke, Cassie Khoury and Brittany Abraham. We congratulate all the other teams that participated, a job well done. Special thanks to Elaine Hider, an Archdiocese Board Member from Johnstown, PA, for her generous donation of $500.00 to each member of the winning team. Elaine has been providing the first place winners with this amount since the competition started nine years ago. Everyone that participated received an ICON. Special thanks to Joan Farha, NAC President, for serving as our MC for the evening, and to all the Diocesan Presidents, Officers and Spiritual Advisors who assisted in making this evening a success. Let’s start preparing for next year’s Bible Bowl. The topic will be the Gospel of St. Luke, as found in the Orthodox Study Bible.

30 The Word 9th Annual NAC Bible Bowl Diocese of Oakland PA and the East Special thanks to Elaine & George TOPIC: The Book of Acts St. George, Charleston, WVA Heider for their generous donations, Diocesan Winners David Ede, Jr. for the past 9 years, of $500.00 to July 22, 2006 Scott Risden each of the 1st place Bible Bowl Matthew Jackfert Winners. 1st Place Winners Eli Namay, Alternate Diocese of Toledo and the Midwest The Topic for next year is the St. Nicholas Church/Grand Rapids, MI Diocese of Worcester & Gospel of Luke. Allison Assaly New England Katie Lubke St. John of Damascus/Dedham, MA REMINDER: Cassie Khoury Cameron Close Montreal, Canada is hosting the Brittany Abraham, Alternate David Hazerjian 2007 Archdiocese Convention. To enter Andrew Weinstein Canada next year a Passport is a Diocese of Ottawa, Eastern Canada Daniel Cotton, Alternate MUST. Please make plans now to and Upstate New York obtain a passport if you think or know St. George Church/Toronto Diocese of Wichita & Mid-America you will be in the Bible Bowl next year. Emily Younes St. George/El Paso, TX Sarah Younes Saner Shaghoury Esther Simbol & Michelle Nicholas Katie Younes Zayna Shaheen Co-chairpersons NAC Bible Moses Ibrahim, Alternate Noel Shaheen Bowl/Festivals Diocese of Miami & the Southeast Diocese of Los Angeles & the West St. Stephen/Hiram, GA St. John the Baptist, Post Falls, Idaho Benjamin Johnson Kelsey Gatto Joseph Johnson Stephanie Matthews Rebecca Phillips Ruth Mattmiller Asher Johnson, Alternate

The Word 31 Orthodox World

Elizabeth Boosahda, western culture while they maintained ed on behalf of the children. Without the Arab-American Faces their Arab heritage through food and its intervention of the President the chil- presentation, Arabic language, dren would have been deported, The Arabs (Syrians, Lebanese, Christian religion (Eastern Orthodox, although it was found that what Palestinians) have a history of more Melkite, Maronite), dance, debating appeared as trachoma was caused by than 125 years in America. Elizabeth societies, literature, music, philosophy, the reflection of ocean water. Boosahda, a third-generation Arab poetry, and storytelling. Many men served in the U.S. military American from Worcester, Massa- The majority of immigrants began and a few made the supreme sacrifice in chusetts, conducted primary source their livelihood as merchants of dry World War I. In subsequent wars, many research to document this history in goods and notions and were commonly Arab-American families had as many as her book, Arab-American Faces and called “pack peddlers” — similar to the four and five sons and daughters who Voices: The Origins of an Immigrant Yankee (U.S.) peddlers. Pack peddling answered the call of duty to the United Community. She interviewed nearly was a carryover from their Arab home- States. 200 immigrants, most of whom were in land and they traveled door-to-door by While most Arab immigrants were their 80s and 90s and had emigrated foot or horse and buggy to the outskirts men, the adventurous Arab woman — a between 1880 and 1915. She collected of the city and surrounding towns, and single woman or widow with or without over one hundred mostly pre-1920 out of state by foot or train as far as the children — was often first in the family photographs, 83 of which appear in the Midwest. With their earnings they to migrate. Her initial occupation was book, and historical documents that established retail or wholesale busi- frequently as a cook in restaurants or a profile their daily lives. The latter chap- nesses, opened factories, purchased door-to-door pack peddler of dry goods ters describe their linkage to their rental properties, developed commer- to nearby towns and out-of-state. Some descendants. The stories provide a cial-residential buildings, and invested women worked singly and others with much-needed account of a people who in the stock market. Others were inven- their husbands. Because of the survived, thrived in, and helped to tors, journalist-publishers, and writers extended families, the women were free create important parts of American in two or three languages. to work outside and were economically society. An example of a heart-rending inci- successful. As early as 1908 some Worcester, Massachusetts was a dent that occurred in 1902 at Ellis enterprising men lived and conducted major northeastern center for Arab Island occurred when an Arab mother businesses in South America and main- migration. It had an inland port in 1828 was separated from her two children. It tained both their New England home that linked Worcester to Providence, was thought that the children had a addresses and their local businesses, Rhode Island, and thus to the Atlantic contagious disease of the eyelids, called which were operated by their wives Ocean, had a railroad in 1835, and was trachoma. They had emigrated to join while the husbands were away. an important industrial center. The their husband/father in Worcester. The appendix of the book includes Worcester community had links to Arab- When he arrived at Ellis Island and “Annotated Suggested Reading” and an American communities throughout learned of the situation he was desper- “Organizations, Collections, and North and South America, and its pat- ate for help and phoned his Arab- Exhibits” listing, both of which provide terns of migration and integration into American friend in Worcester, who in further documentation and resources of the American mainstream paralleled turn contacted Senator George Frisbie Arab community life in the United those of their counterparts in other Hoar, who contacted President States. Arabic-speaking communities. Theodore Roosevelt who then interced- The author offers evidence aplenty of The Arab-Americans integrated into

32 The Word how hard work and creativity enabled Arabs to put down roots in America, to the benefit of the community and coun- try. The majority of Arab-Americans have prospered and contributed much to their adopted country. They have served and are serving in various leg- islative bodies and various government agencies, both locally and in the federal government, and they continue to make cultural, economic and intellectual con- tributions to the United States. For further information, see this book available at book stores nationwide and overseas, or visit the author’s website: Medical Teams and are assembled in announced a $90,000 (70,000 euro) www.utexas.edu/utpress/books/booara. accordance with emergency aid stan- donation by the Greek Ministry of html. The book was published by the dards set by the World Health Foreign Affairs to continue its provision University of Texas Press and is in its Organization. of child and adult medicines, medical second printing. IOCC Beirut staff is purchasing and examinations, and nutritional supple- assembling Family Food and Family ments through local hospitals. IOCC on the Ground in Lebanon and Hygiene parcels for those who have fled “We urge the Orthodox in America, Gaza Crisis their homes in Southern Lebanon and and all those concerned about the esca- Critical Food and Medical Supplies are now crowded into public schools, lating humanitarian crisis in both Provided for Middle East Crisis parks and other areas. In addition, Lebanon and Gaza, to support IOCC’s Baltimore (IOCC) — As Lebanon and Church World Service will provide to $500,000 Emergency Appeal for the Gaza continue to receive attacks on IOCC a container worth $100,000 in Middle East,” says IOCC CEO Con- civilian infrastructure with hundreds of supplies including 5,000 hygiene kits, stantine M. Triantafilou. “The most thousands fleeing their homes, Inter- 500 water containers and wool blankets. effective way people can assist relief national Orthodox Christian Charities IOCC, which has been involved in efforts is by making a direct cash con- (IOCC) staff is on the ground coordi- Lebanon since 2001 with a USDA-fund- tribution that will allow us to continue nating food, medical and hygiene sup- ed Food for Education program, will use to acquire and transport these life-sav- plies. its network of public schools as distri- ing supplies.” IOCC will deliver to St. George bution centers for thousands who need To make an on-line contribution, go to Orthodox Hospital in Beirut two “New these basic life-preserving supplies. http://www.iocc.org or call toll-free Emergency Health Kits” of 48 boxes Gaza, which is experiencing near 1-877-803-IOCC (4622). containing medicines, IV fluids and dis- daily artillery fire and aerial bombard- posable supplies expected to aid 20,000 ment, is reporting scarcity of water, patients over a 3-month period. The food, and medicine. IOCC, which has kits, worth approximately $100,000, been implementing an emergency have been donated by Northwest response program in Gaza, recently

The Word 33 St. George, Troy 90th anniversary ROOM RESERVATION FORM

Rates: $99.00 + 13% tax per night Group Name: Antiochian Archdiocese Group Group Code: SGO Date(s): ______Please come join us in Troy, Michigan for a memo- Guest Name: ______Telephone: ______rable weekend Friday, October 6th through Sunday Address: ______October 8th, 2006. City: ______State: ______Zip: ______• St. George of Troy is celebrating its 90th Anniversary. Guaranteed Late Arrival: Credit Card Type: ______• Metropolitan PHILIP will be celebrating his 40th Number: ______Exp.: ______Anniversary in episcopacy. His Eminence began or his journey at St. George when we were in Detroit. A non-refundable deposit of one night’s room and tax is due at the time What a perfect place to come back to, to of reservation in order to confirm. celebrate his 40 years. Arrival Date: ______Number of Nights: ______• Father Joseph Antypas will also be celebrating his Departure of Date: ______Check one (room types are subject to availability): 30 years in the priesthood. One King ______Two Doubles ______This will be a memorable and historic weekend, so Special Requests: ______make plans to be with us October 6th through Any reservations received at the Hilton Detroit/Troy after September 14, October 8th, 2006. 2006 are subject to space availability. INDIVIDUAL TICKETS & PACKAGE TICKETS: • Package ($150.00 a person) Individual Friday Social $ 35.00 Saturday Grand Banquet $100.00 Sunday Special Brunch $25.00 You may visit our website at www.stgeorgeoftroy.com or call the St. George Church office at (248) 589- 0480. See you in October. 5500 Crooks Rd. Troy, MI 48098 Phone 248-879-2100 Fax 248-879-3124 Reservations may be made by calling the hotel directly, mailing in this form, calling 1-800-HILTONS or at www.detroittroy.hilton.com

34 The Word Do God’s work and go beyond what is humanly possible.

With God as our strength, there is no limit to what we can achieve. The goal of The Order of St. Ignatius is to do God’s work here on earth. To go beyond the ordinary to help those in need. To go beyond what is expected. To go beyond the usual giving. Join The Order so that you can help your archdiocese, your parish, your community and the world to go beyond. Learn more about the good works of The Order of St. Ignatius of Antioch. Call 201-871-1355, email: [email protected] or return this slip to: The Order 358 Mountain Road Englewood, NJ 07631

Yes, I want more information about The Order Name: ______Address: ______Phone: ______E-mail:______10/06 The Word 35 THE WORD 358 Mountain Road Periodical postage paid at PO Box 5238 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Englewood, NJ 07631-5238

St. Nicholas Antiochian Orthodox Church Montreal, Canada Welcomes You To The 48th Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese Convention July 23-29, 2007

www.stnicholasmtl.org

Convention and accommodations at Le Centre Sheraton Hotel located in the heart of downtown Montreal

Book before December 31, 2006 and pay $169 Canadian per night Early-bird Club level room rate $209 per night Regular convention room rate $189 as of January 1, 2007

* Take advantage of our special CONVENTION rate to extend your stay in Montreal! Rates in effect from July 18 to August 1, 2007.

© Tourisme Montréal, Stéphan Poulin Exciting events have been planned for the entire family to enjoy!

Our Youth Program includes a separate Teen Track that focuses on living the Orthodox Faith in Christ through meaningful activities involving worship, witness, service and fellowship. Events for the entire family to enjoy include an evening of song and dance in historic Old Montreal, a fun-filled Hafli, a Youth Banquet, an Elegant Grand Banquet and much, much more!

For information on Montreal visit http://www.tourisme-montreal.org