The Word

Volume 53 No. 6 June 2009 VOLUME 53 NO. 6 JUNE 2009 contents COVER OF THE , St. George Cathedral in Pittsburgh

3 EDITORIAL by Rt. Reverend John Abdalah

5 A VISION FOR ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN PARISH LIFE by John W. Truslow, Jr.

8 AND ETHNICITY by Archpriest Theodoros Daoud

10 LESSONS FROM A PUPPET THEATER by Curtis Magnuson

14 FELLOWSHIP FOOTNOTES The Most Reverend Metropolitan PHILIP, D.H.L., D.D. 16 TRAINING UP A CHILD by Rt. Reverend THOMAS The Right Reverend Bishop ANTOUN 19 ARCHDIOCESAN OFFICE The Right Reverend Bishop JOSEPH 25 COMMUNITIES IN ACTION The Right Reverend 29 ARCHDIOCESE BOOK ORDER FORM Bishop BASIL The Right Reverend 58 THE ORTHODOX WORLD Bishop THOMAS ' The Right Reverend Bishop MARK The Right Reverend Bishop ALEXANDER Founded in Arabic as Al Kalimat in 1905 by Saint Raphael (Hawaweeny) Founded in English as The WORD in 1957 by Metropolitan ANTONY (Bashir)

Editor in Chief The Rt. Rev. John P. Abdalah, D.Min. Assistant Editor Christopher Humphrey, Ph.D. Editorial Board The Very Rev. Joseph J. Allen, Th.D. Anthony Bashir, Ph.D. The Very Rev. Antony , Th.M. The Very Rev. Peter Gillquist Letters to the editor are welcome and should include the author’s full name and Ronald Nicola parish. Submissions for “Communities in Action” must be approved by the local Najib E. Saliba, Ph.D. pastor. Both may be edited for purposes of clarity and space. All ­submissions, in The Very Rev. Paul Schneirla, M.Div. hard copy, on disk or e-mailed, should be double-spaced for editing purposes.

Design Director Donna Griffin Albert Member ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION: The Associated Press U.S.A. and Canada, $20.00 Conciliar Press Foreign Countries, $26.00 Ecumenical News International Single Copies, $3.00 Orthodox Press Service The WORD (USPS626-260) is published monthly, except July and August, by Editorial Office: the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America at 358 Mountain The WORD Road, PO Box 5238; periodicals postage paid at Englewood, New Jersey 07631- 635 Miranda Drive 5238 and at additional mailing offices. Pittsburgh, PA 15241 e-mail: [email protected] Postmaster send address changes to: The WORD, 358 Mountain Road, PO Box FAX: 1-412-831-5554 5238, Englewood, NJ 07631-5238 ISSN 0043-7964 www.antiochian.org. Subscription Office: 358 Mountain Road Canada Post Publications Agreement No. 40691029 PO Box 5238 Return Canada address to: Englewood, NJ 07631-5238 AIM, 7289 Torbram Road, Mississauga, ON L4T 1G8, Canada. 2 The Word editor’s letter Preaching in a Post-Christian World

I took a visitor from Lebanon to a trendy of worshippers, this former church is a kind of restaurant called The Church Brew Works, icon of the post-Christian age. For many people, which was once a beautiful Roman Catholic ba- in this age God has been replaced with brewing silica, built and dedicated to St. John the Bap- beer, with bars, and worship with tist in 1902 in the old Lawrenceville section of frolic. There are empty churches all over the Pittsburgh. Now that it is a restaurant, steel and west while people imagine that they have out- copper brewing tanks have replaced the , grown religion, or at least . a bar is located where many Roman Churches We are challenged to share Christ who took would have confessionals, and a wood oven for on flesh, was crucified and rose from the dead, pizza' sits where the bishop once sat. “Do peo- especially with a world that teaches that all re- ple think that they are in church when they are ligions are essentially the same and “nice,” and here?” my company inquired. I have brought that modern man needs none of it. Those who several churchmen here when they visited Pitts- think that the coming of God to save mankind is burgh and some have been a bit uncomfortable no longer significant need a merciful challenge. at first, but warmed up to the energetic space By “merciful,” I mean that they need to repent with high ceilings and crafted appointments. in order to be saved. Pittsburghers have made many former Some church leaders believe that the churches banquet halls, restaurants, night churches must make themselves relevant. clubs, water pipe bars, homes, furniture stores, ­Others tell us that modern men and women and gift shops, as the population has decreased want religious experiences but reject “organized and some denominations have had shortages religion,” so we ought to provide them. Others of clergy. These beautiful old buildings are still tell us that it is time to get past theology very expensive to maintain and heat, so when and theological differences, and unite together the communities have been merged with other without doctrines to demonstrate some kind of parishes, the buildings have been sold. But this strength and solidarity. Most notably, this idea visitor from Lebanon was more than typically is being presented for some kind of union with uncomfortable. This use of consecrated space Rome, and perhaps union with Rome will then disturbed him. While some may argue that lead to union with all of . the creaky floors, beautiful ceiling and stained None of these solutions make any sense to me. glass windows themselves gave testimony to The Word of God took on flesh and became the prayers and spiritual lives of generations a human person so that He could show us that

The Word 3 as a person He cares for us. He joined Himself come anxious and try to assume control of their to us so that we could join ourselves to Him. environments. This anxiety sometimes leads He has shown us His love, and asked us to love to expressions ranging from thoughtful and each other. As we love each other as persons, prayerful letters of love to outright heckling. and share with those we love the truth that God The latter leads us to even more anxiety and has taken on flesh to join us to Him, the people discontent. It is my faith statement that God around us can rediscover Christ. We who have has blessed our Archdiocese with a gifted and put on Christ must show Christ to the world. If God-loving metropolitan and with gifted and witnessing to Jesus Christ in this way is politi- God-loving who will discover together cally incorrect, we need to be politically incor- God’s will for us. Together they will lead us, rect. The post-Christian world needs a strong and, working within the Patriarchate, discover witness, and God’s love through us is that the systems that meet the needs that our Church strong witness. faces. We should pray for them, support them Changing Church buildings into restau- and offer them our best. I believe that we should rants is only one of all kinds of change that we trust God to act through them and us. Perhaps are experiencing. As we grow as an Archdiocese what we need as an Archdiocese is more prayer and as we grow and change as a Patriarchate, and . Only then can we understand what changes have been proposed and acted upon to God teaches us through the Church about lead- maintain our unity and meet our needs. Change ership, holy orders, conciliation, obedience, makes people anxious, and we need to address humility and, above all, love. the effects of such change on our lives and our worlds. When things change, some people be- by Archimandrite John Abdalah

www.antiochian.org Works for You

Have you logged in to the official Web site of the Antiochian • featured authors of the Archdiocese and excellent essays to Archdiocese lately? At www.antiochian.org, we’ve launched a read new home-page design, announced important Archdiocesan • a comprehensive set of links to numerous Orthodox Web news in a reliable and timely fashion, produced a Paschal Web sites site with the OCA web team, www.feastoffeasts.com, and kept •  our Memory Eternal section, a page to commemorate our our pledge to post all important information within three days reposed loved ones of receiving it. The result? A Web site that we think works for • liturgical resources and registration forms for downloading you. And that’s just scratching the surface! What you’ll find on our site: With over 60,000 unique visits each month, we know that • any breaking news as it relates to our Archdiocese some people are discovering us and finding the help and infor- •  stories about what Antiochians are up to, here and around mation they need. the globe •  information about your bishop, your diocese, and every or- Are You? Log in today! ganization of our Church, from SOYO, to the Village, to the www.antiochian.org Fellowship of St. John Divine The Web Voice of the Antiochian Archdiocese

4 The Word A Vision for Orthodox Christian Parish Life

Thankfully, we have some Adult Christian Education in our parish. For one series of classes, I was re-reading (after 10 years) Oriented Leadership: Why Every Christian Needs It,1 when I was struck by a terrible thought. As a layman, do I have a vision for my parish or not? That truly was a wrong question, because we all have visions for our parishes – considered or not, rational or not, Christian or not. I should have asked this: “Do I share with my brothers and sisters in Christ a vision for our parish that is also the vision of God for us?”

Oriented Leadership raises worthwhile my life changed for the better by this encounter questions, including a) What does it mean to lead with Christ and His Church and having come to this other persons, when we all are persons made in city, I want my parish to be open, and to encour- the “image and likeness” of God?; b) How is Chris- age newcomers deliberately, even if they are eth- tian leadership properly modeled on the leader- nically and culturally different from those already ship exhibited by Jesus, the Incarnate God?; c) present. I want to continue my Christian education How important is vision (having an enunciated, and I want a parish that supports discipleship and shared, godly, general goal for us) to leadership in membership programs. I am aware of other ways any group?; d) What does the pattern of love we of doing things among faithful Christians than just see in the have to say to leadership in group how things were done among the Byzantines.” decision-making (“hierarchical conciliarity”)?; and Many who have become Orthodox here in the last e) How is our stewardship (“being God’s trustees 35 years have some form of this vision. of everything”) linked to leadership? Even just It is not helpful simply to declare that one or thinking briefly about these questions is a stimu- the other of these visions is correct (“Orthodox”) lating exercise! and the other not (“un-Orthodox”). The point here Here is one possible vision of the parish: “My is simply that, if you discover both of these visions vision is that the parish is and should be a safe – and surely others as well – in your parish, then place and a social group to support me and my your parish does not have a vision, but rather two family as strangers in a strange land, preserving or more visions. Recognizing this fact need not be the language of the homeland and the family ties the beginning of a parish civil war, but may rather for the next generation. It should provide a sup- start a constructive search for one, shared vision port group for more immigrants – including family of parish life. members – expected to come over here soon, and, “What vision for our parish do all of us ac- finally, it should preserve our religion (as it was cept, that is the vision of God for us?” Now that is a practiced in the homeland). Our parish means the question with lots more potential for good than the parish for ‘our people.’ If we do not take care of limited – but necessary – starting question above each other this way, no one else will.” Many first- about “my own vision”! If the answer to this new generation Orthodox in the Western Hemisphere question is truly “None,” as I speculate in many had such a vision for their parishes which they parishes it is, then that might lead the parish to started in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. seek that common vision – perhaps the best thing Here is another possible vision: “I am a pa- that could ever happen to that parish! rishioner who came to Christ and His Orthodox Not to have any godly vision of the parish that Church in another city because of deliberate out- is shared by all means that we will mill around, reach from a mission-minded parish. Having had year after year, decade after decade. Different vi-

The Word 5 sions will drive different actions by different par- Church in thousands of communities all over the ish groups and individuals, which efforts might world. The point of the diagram is to say that in a cancel each other out. One might expand Prov- few relationships in which we all share – which are erbs 29:18a (KJV) in this context: “Where there is built on Christ’s love and include God and us – we no (shared, God-given) vision, the people (of the can cooperate with God in experiencing Christ’s parish) perish.” Kingdom in a parish. Each of these relationships Holy Scripture and Patristics have a lot to may be developed forever, with God’s help. say to us on this theme, but only if we can grasp Second, a vision or a sense of mission and the concepts of leadership sufficiently to care to purpose is only valuable if it is shared, and rea- search them. “Our vision” is the focus here. God sonably justifiable on the basis of Scripture and reveals the vision of the Kingdom and this is our highest-level vision. Jesus spent more time teach- ing about the Kingdom of God (His vision!) than any other single topic. The excellent Chapter 6 Seven Relationships in Christ’s Love, of Oriented Leadership, “Orthodox Leadership Church and Kingdom Must Be Kingdom-Centered,” looks at the implica- Christ’s Love tions here. (Mark 12:27-31 and John 3:16; 13:34; 15:12) Yet how may we connect the highest-order “vi- sion of the Kingdom” with day-to-day life in our Christ’s Church (Matthew 16:18; Colossians 1:18) one parish in one location? I have a vision of seven key relationships in which we already find our- Christ’s Kingdom (Matthew 5-7; 8:11; Romans 14:17; selves in our parishes, and on which – if we iden- Colossians 1:13; ­Revelation 21).  tify and accept them – we can work together with  God. This is an expression of the theological truth     $!&##%! $"(%%  # %*$#$%/$&# that Christianity is essentially a religion revealed  %# !'!#% $   "#$ %!*"#%. by God to be love-based relationships between  ! 9-78279 6!# % $66-7827; God and us, and among us (John 3: 16). (The rela-         $!&##%! $"$%!$ $!&##%! $"$( tionships outlined in the chart below include those  %#&$% !'(% (!#(%! !',  % $, %!! (  &%&" %!#$%/$$%%&# !& %!#'   3!&#%! 4. with God and with others.) Recognizing our paro-   . "$ $9-6626; %%(7:-6929;  7 !%*8-6929-7 chial relationships raises the hope that, with God’s 7!# % $>-;266     help, we may improve the quality of those relation- $!&##%! $" !' (%#$%%  ,! ships over time for the blessing of ourselves and  $!*3%&#4,(%  !#$, (% many others. !%#.   "$ $6-6278  6 ! 9-<2:-: We note a number of things. First, the Scrip-       tures give us a glimpse of that larger picture of $!&##%! $"$( $!&##%! $" #$%/$ !*#$% !',!   &#,  $% $!', the Kingdom, in which the parish and the parish- $"$, "%+   !*  "   % (&# !  !%#$# $. ioners are surely participants. Of course, the vi-  #$. %$7-9729< %%(7=-6;275 6%#9-=265 sion of the Kingdom of God is far more extensive 6!# % $67-7<      $!&##%! $"$( than a vision for one parish in Christ’s Church.  $"# !',$  #$%!&##' % #,  Scripture, too, does not focus often on parish life.  ##! #%*.  %%(75-7:27= This is understandable, since the  %$6:-68277   #%!!!"#%(%!&#! #%! $" $&#.0'  canon closed before “the parish” became the most %! $"$1$'$! ! !( #$%/$  ! . visible, gathered, Eucharistic expression of the 

6 The Word the Fathers. The point of “consensus” in the Or- Some Library Resources thodox doctrine of hierarchical conciliarity is a)  See “Seven Relationships in Christ’s Love, to have a reliable way to determine the will of  Church      and Kingdom” the Holy Spirit for our parish and b) to encour- "   !  #  age each of us to care enough about the beliefs     "#/"%&#-%'!(& of others involved to take the time to bring us all  ! '(%&.#%'( ',0  ' &/)& '(! ()& ! $!$-,  !!.  into the decision-making process. If some of us $!$-$( $#,  (&#!&,/&($$, #(. $!- do not believe that a proposition (a “statement of  #'(&,,%*0     "#/'*%&#-)!!  "#/&# &#! the vision of the parish” for example) reflects the !!&%(&'&0  %&'!('"!0 ' &/$$# ()!  ' &/$)#( $#'$& revealed will of God for us or if many of us believe &*#(0(+&' %,"''. & '( #)( $#, & $(#)'($ $( "" %.% #(&)( $#')","!%&.$!$-  # $*, "#".  #$ a proposition is inappropriate, then we do not $(+&' %,&0  ! #(&($$, $",  "!%&0 have a consensus and we should suspend judg-     "#/ &#-%&'! ment until we do. We undermine Christ’s reign %&'" ",. ' &/& '(#  ()&,"!&,.  #  & '(,& &.& '($!$- over us if we are divided on why we exist as a par- $( +'("#(,  ( !!.&($$,$!$-  ! ' $#$$, "&&,0 ish. The Holy Spirit can bring unanimity, but only      if we seek His will and guidance. "#/ %&#-&&"!- "#/ "*&#-&'!- )! &  ""! "&#' ',0 Third, this vision of parish life enables us ' &/#&'(# #)&  ' &/#$)!$" 0 &$+(,)%!.& # #  $'% (! (-,!.'( "& ($&($$,-, $& #' %,  all to respect each other’s work; we participate  $(&'.)&.$&!. '' $# %0( 1 !. #(# ,  !!0  $$ $$ $&&($$, in each other’s work, but with different degrees & '( #'0     "#/ %&#-!&'%&- of intensity based on our gifts from God for ser- '&! !'&0 ' &/& #( &' %, vice. The Director (given musical talent and   &! !.& ' # '(&-"'$)& $($$ / #)!$#$#'$ training by God) probably spends more time and (1! '.&($$, ( #',  !0 energy on the Worship relationship than on the  Fellowship relationship, while still needing and enjoying Fellowship, perhaps organized by the erbs 29:18a (with my embellishments) warns us, presidents of the Men’s and the Ladies’ Societies. “Where there is no [shared, God-given] vision, But the social-group Presidents (interested in Fel- the people [of the parish] perish.” Let us take the lowship enough to do all the work to help make time to discover, with His help, God’s vision for social events happen) also need the Worship re- each of our parishes. This way, over the years, lationship with God in the gathered Eucharistic our parish life will be more Kingdom-centered assembly. We all have different gifts and different and therefore more balanced and whole. May God functions as different parts of the Body, and we help us make it so! cannot all do everything. Identifying key parish relationships lets us evaluate how we are doing John W. Truslow, Jr., MAAOT, Layman, and, hopefully, improve. In the Christian Leader- St. Elias Orthodox Parish Church, Atlanta, Georgia ship class I mentioned at the start, one hundred 1 This work by Orthodox laymen and management consul- percent of the members noted that we are do- tants Benjamin D. Williams and Michael T. McKibben was ing far better as a parish with Worship than with published by the Orthodox Christian Publications Center Membership. of the in America in 1994. My vision of the Kingdom present in the par- ish may not be your vision. Fine! What, then, do you think should be our vision? Again, Prov-

The Word 7 Orthodoxy and Ethnicity

I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one.

John 17:20–22

Jesus was praying for His Apostles, the earth? Greek? Arab? Russian? They all exemplify twelve, and, through them, for the seventy, and the richness of God’s creation in their diversity for all the nations who would later accept Him as and are like unique flowers in God’s vast garden. the Son of God and Savior. Each of the Apostles Each flower possesses at once great beauty, as and the believers had his own personality, culture well as hurtful thorns. and, later on, ethnicity, when Christianity spread Who said that God can be limited, represent- beyond the walls of Jerusalem. In the aftermath ed by only one culture or ethnicity? All that is sec- of Christ’s resurrection and ascension into Heav- ular and earthly fades. We cannot limit God. God en, the early Church, guided by the Apostles and is limitless and the best way to speak about God Holy Fathers, faced the challenge of establishing is through love, because God is love. It is a love God’s heavenly Church on this earth. In his let- that transcends the terrestrial boundaries of eth- ter to the Colossians (3:10–12), St. Paul makes nicity to all nations, to brothers and to enemies, it very clear that, as Christians, we “have put on to the visible and the invisible, to the known and the new man who is renewed in knowledge ac- to the unknown, to the whole of God’s creation. cording to the image of Him who created him, This love will be perfectly revealed in His second where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised coming. nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor Who among the apostles was the best? Indi- free, but Christ is all and in all.” vidually, they all were human beings and they all Practically speaking, is there any other im- sinned. All of them acted with the limited vision age besides Him, to which we should relate the and desires of their humanity. But after Pente- Church? St. Peter? St. Paul? St. John? St. Thom- cost, they were made pure and became the Holy as? Which of the Holy Fathers? Which ethnicity Church, cleansed of all corruption. They were is best suited for bearing the image of Christ on perfect in their unity through the unique Spirit,

8 The Word that Spirit which will never belong to this world. the unconditional love of John for Christ, and the Again, who among the Apostles was per- courage of Ignatius as he offered himself to the fect or better than the others? Is Peter, even as lions. he stood in denial? Is Paul, in his persecution? Uniting people who come from very differ- Is Thomas, in his doubt? None of them. They all ent backgrounds, histories and ethnicities is a sinned. Each one of them had his own weakness- true challenge. Our father, Metropolitan Philip, es, deception, folly – but united together with the met this challenge and follows Christ’s example Holy Spirit they were made perfect, because they of unity and catholicism in the faith. Our bishops were and remain the Church, they were the one and clergy are the image of the Apostles around voice for the one Spirit and the unified body of their father and master, as they drink from the Christ, which is the Church. same fountain of wisdom and life. Through their As churches or jurisdictions are composed of steps and struggles, God will continue to quench human beings, I ask the same question – which the thirst of the faithful of this Archdiocese from jurisdiction leads by the best example, in His this life giving water. image? Antiochian? Greek? Russian? OCA? Ro- Our common ethnicity as Orthodox Chris- manian? Serbian? None of them. Read history tians is granted by the grace of the Holy Spirit as and discover that we have all hurt Him and His a result of our efforts towards true repentance, Church. We continue to hurt God. This always humility, chastity, and self-control; it is “that di- happens when man attempts to rule God’s heav- vine grace, which always heals that which is in- enly Church, through the ambitions and limited firm and completes that which is lacking.” abilities of his earthly thoughts and secular deeds. Living and securing our repentance means The death and resurrection of Christ are not yet guarding the Church and its strength, ensuring done. We crucify Him every day when we are di- its firmness and unity. Our ethnicity is our Ortho- vided and arrogant, and we are raised with Him doxy. It is our immortality and eternal life, where at every moment when we are united and humble all merely human voices will cease so that they and loving to one another. We realize our Christi- alone, who learned and lived this truth, will speak anity and potential perfection when we see in our and be heard. brother the faith of Peter, the devotion of Paul, and the repentance of Thomas, without seeing in Archpriest Theodoros Daoud St. Mary Orthodox Church him the moments of denial, judgment and doubt. Hunt Valley, Maryland We become better and more perfect examples, de- [email protected] pending on the degree to which we allow the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Pentecost, to make us perfect and to be Himself transfigured on the mountain of our conscience. The immortality of the Church in our life is only possible through transcending the limita- tions of our perceived ethnic identity, which en- slaves us by our arrogance, by the desires of our flesh, our minds, our passions, our souls and our bodies. As a new in this Archdiocese, I see in it the shadow of the New Jerusalem and the spirit of the resurrected Antioch and its rock. Through the grace of the Holy Spirit, its father and Metro- politan transcends, in his character and past ac- tions, ethnic distinctions because he follows the way of Divine love. He guards the spirit of the Holy Fathers. The heart of Antioch beats in him as the joyous suffering of Paul in his evangelism,

The Word 9 Lessons from a Bible Puppet Theater

I stood alone in front of the audience while they stared at me in silence. Memories of playing the lead in my second-grade play rushed back, with all the dread of performing before an audience for the first time.

What was I doing here, a middle-aged man, at the Cloherty’s home for the first meeting of dressed as a Babylonian king? How did I get here the new school year. Our host and Church School and how did this happen so quickly? The memo- Director, Joanne Cloherty, and Father John Abda- ries and questions flashed by, but then I heard my lah suggested as one of the topics for discussion own voice bellow out to the audience, “I am King that we try dramatics to supplement the students’ Nebuchadnezzar, Ruler of all Babylon. I am knowledge of the Bible and of the Saints, Patri- here to tell you the most amazing story about archs, Prophets and others found within it. We three young men and how the True God who decided that I would write and perform one-man rules over all saved them from a fiery death!” plays as a way of making these holy people from With those opening lines Saint George Cathedral the Bible come alive for the children. Church School in Pittsburgh started a new, educa- Theater is not a new idea for teaching about tional adventure. the Bible. Western European drama was reborn Almost every teacher regularly confronts the with the Mystery Plays. These were simple dra- challenge to engage his or her students in learn- matic performances conducted on the steps of ing. At times that challenge seems to be over- Roman cathedrals in France, Germany and Brit- whelming. However, supportive teamwork, some ain during the late Middle Ages. Their purpose creativity, and openness to new approaches make was to teach the illiterate about the Bible and faith it easier to develop eager students who look for- in God. People become imaginatively engaged in ward to Church School on Sunday morning. a dramatic performance. With that in mind, the It was a warm Sunday evening in early Sep- work on the first plays began. tember 2006 when the Church School staff met About a week after the meeting I was writ-

10 The Word ing the first script, basing it as closely as possible performances. on the passage from the Book of Daniel so that An excellent idea emerged from our experi- the play would be both accurate and understand- ence, though. At the staff meeting the following able to everyone from high school to pre-school September, Father John suggested that we try pup- age. Memorization became the biggest challenge, pets for the performances. The idea worked well especially with the monthly schedule we agreed because it engaged the students by allowing them upon for the 2006 – 2007 school year. There are freedom to interpret the plays more creatively. We plenty of stories from the Old and New Testa- discovered that a catalog company that sold educa- ments that could be used. Soon, the plays were tional materials was having a sale on biblical char- adapted to the Church calendar so that, for exam- acter puppets. We purchased a large assortment ple, the story of the pilgrims meeting Jesus on the of them and I began to design and build a puppet road to Emmaus from Saint Luke’s was theater that could fold flat for easy storage in the performed during the Paschal season. Church School’s limited space. Once the theater As a Church School substitute teacher, I had was completed, work began on the first play, to the chance to interview the children from different be performed in October. By May, the students of classes about the plays that they had seen earlier each class had performed an original Bible Story that year to find out what they could remember play, one each month, for the rest of the Church and what they had learned from them. Surpris- School. Performances ranged from surprisingly ingly, I discovered that they recalled very little creative expression and interpretations by the and could not remember a single lesson from any high school and middle school classes to a simple, of the plays! The feedback made me realize that but engaging presentation of Noah’s Ark by the the students liked the plays as a diversion and en- pre-school children, their teacher and assistant. tertainment, but they were not effective for teach- We continue to learn from our students ing. Joanne Cloherty and I discussed the situation through their experiences with the Bible Story and agreed to change the format. We decided that Pup­pet Theater. We now present four puppet we would engage the students by writing Bible plays a year, with time off for Nativity and Pas- plays that they would perform. By this time I had cha. The plays are now put on by the high school a trunk of costumes and props and, for Spring of class, our two middle school classes and the 4th 2007, the high school and middle school students – 5th grade class. Some classes choose the topic put on a series of Bible plays. The change was an for the play ahead of time, which involves them improvement, but the younger children were not further in the creative process and increases their always able to follow the plots or understand the interest in performing.

The Word 11 The Bible Puppet Theater succeeds if the also become plays, including ones about Baby It shocked me to find children feel included and a part of the Bible les- Moses, Abraham and Isaac, Samuel and Eli, and that most online sons taught through the plays. It was good to hear others. Through them the students learn that God “Sunday School” a father say that the plays must be having a posi- works with those who are faithful to Him, wheth- ­Bible plays ­consisted of irreverent works tive impact, because his pre-school-aged son was er men, women, children or even babies. Other that showed asking to know more about Moses at home the Bible puppet plays are designed to explain Gospel ­disrespect to the Sunday of our play, “Baby Moses is Rescued.” “I references the children hear regularly through the Lord and the Bible, can always tell when there’s been a puppet play,” Church year, such as “The Myrrh-Bearing Wom- included degrading he said, “because my son will ask me on the way en.” Demonstrating and the Scriptures humor, and had little regard for the text. home about someone from the Bible that day.” helps students relate to the readings during the What taught me that the children were en- services, to recall what they learned, and to see gaged in puppet plays was a little event that hap- why they are important in the teachings of the pened earlier this school year. The high school Church. class asked to put on a play about Joseph and his Not being a very creative person, I fell back brothers. This was a challenge because the story on a classic writer’s help when I started to write is complicated, covers a long period of time, and the puppet play scripts. To learn how to write has many characters. The play was completed, a short story, many writers study short stories, however, and the students put on a good show. identify the ones they like, and practice writing While watching, I worried that the younger chil- ones like them. Some famous writers began this dren might be lost. However, towards the end of way. Having never written a play for an audience the play the Pharaoh puppet asks, “Who would be of children ranging from about two years old to better than Joseph to save us from the famine?” eighteen, I decided to check the Internet for re- Immediately, a little girl from the front row waved sources. her hand and yelled confidently, “ME!” The chil- It shocked me to find that most online “Sunday dren and the parents broke up in laughter. School” Bible plays consisted of irreverent works When the priest or the lifts the Gos- that showed disrespect to the Lord and the Bible, pel Book, or when the deacon commands, “Wis- included degrading humor, and had little regard dom! Attend!” we, as Orthodox adults, relate to for the text. Of course, a puppet play, even about the Mystery of the Word revealed. For most chil- a Bible story, is guaranteed to get some laughs at dren, though, this may occur only over years. times. Puppets are funny. During our play about While that is happening, we want to help them to Joseph, Potiphar’s wife told Joseph, “Kiss me!” Of learn, understand and remember that this wisdom course, everyone laughed. Yet, it was surprising is conveyed through the many stories of the men, to find very few good plays available either online women and children found in the Scriptures, Gos- or in franchise Christian book stores. Disappoint- pels and . They learn this through their ment over the scant supply of written material be- Church School class materials and their dedicated came the motivation to try writing better scripts teachers. They also learn through the stories told that could draw interest and remain reverent to- or read to them by their parents and grandparents wards the text. at home, and from opportunities like the puppet One good aspect of any puppet play is that plays. the puppets can do far more than people can, We are now sharing the duties of choosing and with a few simple props can take the audi- which Bible stories will become new scripts. This ence into a different place and time. We anticipate year two classes chose their stories: one was something imaginative when we watch a puppet about Joseph and the other was about Adam and play. Jonah can be swallowed by a whale. Eve can Eve. Occasionally, however, a story is chosen for talk with a serpent. Angels can appear to people. a script that is not well known. This year one of The next step then was to go to the source, the the middle school classes presented the story of Bible, for help. Deborah the Prophetess from the Book of Judges. The plays found on the Internet barely men- The other middle school class produced the story tioned actual Bible events or kept their story of David and Abigail. More common Bible stories structure or taught a lesson. That was one rea-

12 The Word son to use the actual Bible stories for the narra- along with the props and extra materials. The tives, plot and dialogue. As much as possible, the puppet theater itself could possibly be made for plays use the language of the Revised Standard free or very inexpensively. It consists of three sec- or New King James versions. Speech is quoted tions built from lumber in dimensions of 1 ½” x 4’ closely while still making it understandable to the and 1 ½” x 6’, attached to frames and hinged to- youngest in the audience. The narrator always be- gether so they are very light weight and can fold gins by telling the audience from what book and for storage. The framework is painted glossy blue chapters of the Bible the story comes. We want and paneled with used, heavy curtain material to to teach that the Bible is accessible to people of give it the appearance of a theater, but primary all ages. The action of the puppet characters also colored cloth or any heavy, inexpensive cloth can helps to convey the story line and to make it come be used. The panels are attached with a carpen- alive for the students. All these things establish ter’s staple gun, but an upholsterer’s stapler or the lesson and the story in the child’s mind, which heavy-duty Velcro strips would do well, too. A felt encourages curiosity to know more, as some par- panel attaches to the framework to become the ents report. backdrop. By using this design, the theater can be There are good stories that can be trans- set up in less than five minutes. formed into puppet plays from the Gospels and Through a few years of experiments, feed- the Book of Acts, but many of our scripts come back, imagination and patience, we achieved our from the . Much of the Bible, how- initial goal as a Church School to provide a suc- ever, is full of violent stories about babies threat- cessful supplemental program for teaching the ened with drowning or being split in two with a Bible. The students are engaged more than we sword, of boys being thrown into fiery furnaces, imagined and enjoy performing and watching the giants being slain, men tossed to the lions or plays. Our goals for the Bible Puppet Theater are swallowed by great fish, dangerous snakes, wars, more focused now that we have a couple of years imprisonment, human sacrifice and more. It con- experience with it. We are planning to generate cerned me that the younger children might be up- three years worth of scripts ready for use. We set by the violence; instead, they follow the action determined that a three-year cycle was sufficient of each performance confident that all will end time to have most of the middle and high school well because God is in control. That is one of the students through Church School and to have a most important points of the puppet plays. It is to new audience of younger students as well. One of teach the children that the Lord cares for us and our future goals is to prepare some plays about is in control indeed. The plays are also meant to our patron saint, Saint George, and to practice demonstrate how to have humble faith and hope others that can be presented by the students for in the Lord. events such as banquets or for special visitors. Like most things in this world, it took some It is a blessing to work on a project like this money and work to make the Bible Puppet The- that involves so many team members. Every ater happen. We purchased about a dozen pup- teacher and student helps to make the Bible Pup- pets in order to include boys, girls, men, women, pet Theater a success, whether they perform, old men, old women, Jesus and an angel. How- coach, provide feedback, or just watch. All of ever, as an amusing detail, we had to re-wardrobe them help to direct and improve it. We hope it will the Jesus puppet because it came in a standard become a permanent part of our Church School. Protestant costume of a white tunic and a purple If this program appeals to you, please contact us sash. None of the children could recognize the Je- for ideas on how you might implement it in your sus puppet without a red tunic and blue sash! situation. In fact, our biggest expense was the puppets. Together they cost about two hundred dollars, but Curtis Magnuson St. George Orthodox Cathedral, Oakland the quality workmanship and the fact that they were half-price made the decision to buy them an easier one. Some heavy-plastic storage trunks were provided to keep them in good condition,

The Word 13 The Fellowship Of Saint John The Divine Fellowship Footnotes

“And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread and in [the] prayers” (Acts 2:42). Having to explain what the Fellowship of communion, and refers to the intimacy felt by St. John the Divine (“the Fellowship”) is, what it members of the Church through the Holy Spirit. does, and what is its target audience, is probably For the Orthodox Christian, the ultimate example the most daunting task any Fellowship president of is Holy Communion, which brings us has to do; and most often unsuccessfully. To help in complete (and visible) union with Christ and with this, a few years ago the Fellowship launched with our brothers and sisters. this series of Fellowship Footnotes to look each “… in the breaking of bread” (kai tou klasei month at different aspects of the Fellowship. tou artou) Perhaps the main difficulty is that the Fel- In the Greek text, the words used here spe- lowship is not constrained to an artificial demo- cifically refer to the Eucharistic celebration of the graphic category, be it age-group, sex, or social Divine . (The same word is also used in class. The answer may be more complicated, Luke 24:35, Acts 2:46, Acts 20:7, and 1 Corinthi- since “fellowship” implies a mystical relationship, ans 10:16). Holy Communion has always been the as we shall see later on in the words of our patron central element from which stems the whole life saint, the Holy Evangelist John. This relationship of the Church. St. Paul warned the early Church is involved with other aspects of Christian liv- about serving and partaking of Holy Communion ing found in the early Church, aspects we tend without koinonia in the Church (cf. 1.Corinthians to forget about amidst the many distractions in 11:17–22). So important is the in the our lives. It might be helpful for us today to ex- life of the Church, that St. Ignatius of Antioch amine precisely this “fellowship” that the Apostle calls it the “medicine of immortality” (pharmacon describes in the book of Acts. tis athanasias), since the communicant receives Christ’s resurrected body, which becomes the an- Fellowship in the life of the Church tidote to death (Ignatius to the Ephesians 20:2). “And they continued steadfastly in the apos- “… and in the prayers” (kai tais prosevchais) tles’ doctrine” (ti didachi ton apostolon). The Greek text specifically says “the prayers,” The Church has existed in its fullness since a reference to liturgical or communal prayers the day of Pentecost. While living in fellowship, used by the Church. No surprise there, of course, the early Christians held on “steadfastly” to the since the apostles, after all, came from a Judaic apostolic teachings. To this day, the Church’s un- liturgical tradition lived in the temple. wavering belief is that “Christ revealed, the Apos- Therefore, as it was in the early Church, tles preached, and the Fathers safeguarded.” This it is true today that fellowship in the Orthodox is why the apostolic succession of bishops, the Church cannot be separated from her doctrine or dispensers of the apostolic teaching to the faith- worship. At a time when all realities, even spiri- ful, is very important in the Orthodox Church. tual realities, seem to be compartmentalized, the Any deviation from apostolic teaching wounds Orthodox Church maintains today that a separa- the fellowship of the Church. As the Holy Apostle tion between fellowship, worship, and doctrine is Paul explains, the Church, is one body – the body foreign and artificial. Fellowship (whether inside of Christ – so that when one member of this body the Church building, on campus, at work or at suffers, the whole body suffers (cf. 1 Corinthians home, or even on the streets or in prisons) must 12:26). start from and come back to the worship of the “… and fellowship” (kai ti koinonia) Church. At all times, the Orthodox Church af- In Greek, the word for fellowship also means firms that she is primarily a worshiping Church,

14 The Word and that her worship is her theology. (The Latin with His Son Jesus Christ” (1 :1-3). expression Lex orandi, lex credendi, which can St. John beautifully links the fellowship of the be loosely translated as “the law of prayer is the Church to the life of the Holy Trinity. Our par- law of belief,” is often used to refer to this rela- ticipation in the life of the Holy Trinity, known as tionship between worship and belief.) Evagrius, a deification (theosis, orΘέωσις ), is the central goal fourth-century monastic writer, said that “if you of the Christian life. It is also the central purpose are a theologian you will truly pray, and if you to the Fellowship and everything that it does. truly pray you will be a theologian.” The view that The Fellowship exists to remind us constantly of theology is restricted to an elite few and does not this central focus in our lives. As the Evangelist concern the “regular church-goer” is foreign to notes, theosis is made possible through experi- the mind of the Church. Instead, she teaches that, ence (even sensory experience) which we, too, by virtue of , the faithful are ordained can have with the Son of God, precisely because into the order of the Laos, a word which literally He “was with the Father and was manifest to us.” means “people,” and refers to an actual order of This experience is ever present in the Church and the Church. (There are four, not three, orders in is accessible to us today in her sacramental life. the Orthodox Church: the episcopate, the priest- In his letter to the Galatians, St. Paul explains: hood, the diaconate, and the Laos, or λαός,.) With “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no long­ that , the Church affirms that all who er I who live, but Christ lives in me” (Galatians are baptized are called to pray: all are called to 2:20). This is how theosis is manifested in the life become theologians. of the Christian, and which leads one to repeat the words of the Baptist “He must increase, but The Fellowship of St. John the Divine I must decrease.” (John 3:30). In my opinion, We live in times in which we are conditioned outside this understanding of theosis and fellow- to see the Church as part of the world we live ship in the life of the Church, the Fellowship is in. However, to the Orthodox mind the Church is reduced to a nebulous organization, a void-filler, not in the world, but rather the world is in the a collection of projects, or just an administrative Church. To put it another way, the Church is ev- body that coordinates different programs for the erything that the world is called to be. It follows Archdiocese. I have heard all of these things said then that the life of the Church we described is about it (and I’m sure you’ve heard more). the life of the faithful, the members of the body The words of St. Paul and St. John are a solid of Christ. reminder for ministry in the Church: just like a By extension, this life is also the life of the Fel- priest does not perform his personal ministry but Greek: και ταις lowship, an organization whose purpose is to cul- the ministry of Christ, the Great High Priest, like- προσευχαις tivate a relationship among the faithful based on wise an organization, like the Fellowship, does not Evagrius of Pontus, the life of the Church. To understand this relation- have its own ministry or agenda, but participates “The Greek Ascetic ship among the faithful, we must focus on what, in the ministry of Christ, the only true minister. Corpus”, Oxford Early or more precisely who, it is that binds them. St. The programs run by the Fellowship fall with- Christian Studies, tr. by R.E. Sinkewicz, p. 199. John the Evangelist (also called “the Theologian” in a four-fold vision, focusing on worship, fellow- The Trinity is not ex- for the spiritual depth of his writings), starts his ship, witness and service. The ultimate goal is to plicitly mentioned in universal letter to the Church, with these words: provide a spiritual balance for the faithful to live the text, only the Fa- “That which was from the beginning, which a Christ-center life, protected by the time-tested ther and His Son are we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, witness of the Church, and the prayers of our mentioned. It would re- which we have looked upon, and our hands have patron and intercessor, St. John the Divine, the quire pages to discuss the Holy Trinity, but let handled, concerning the Word of Life – the life Evangelist, the Theologian, the Beloved. it suffice to say here was manifested and we have seen, and bear wit- Nicolas Ellaham that it is the Orthodox ness, and declare to you that eternal life which Nicolas Ellaham is the president of the Fellowship of understanding that was with the father and was manifest to us – that Saint John the Divine of the Diocese of Ottawa, Eastern only in the Holy Spirit Canada, and Upstate New York. which we have seen and heard we declare to you, are we able to have fel- lowship “with the Fa- that you also may have fellowship [koinonia] with ther and with His Son.” us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and

The Word 15 Training Up a Child: Educational Options for Orthodox Christians

My son Timothy, you have observed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness, my persecutions, my sufferings, what befell me at Antioch, at Iconium, and at Lystra, what persecutions I endured; yet from them all the Lord rescued me. Indeed all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil men and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceivers and deceived. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings which are able to instruct you for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. (2 Timothy 3:10–15, RSV)

We read in this passage from St. Paul’s second ing to open a professional teaching service that to St. Timothy, his child in the faith, taught children in their homes and also instructed that he puts great weight on Timothy having their parents how to teach their children in their observed his teaching, his conduct, his aim homes. The young people with whom I dealt were in life, his faith, patience, love, steadfastness, not Orthodox Christians but were students who were failing miserably in the public school system persecutions and sufferings. St. Paul is also and needed special attention in their education. I quite adamant that Timothy continue in what did not leave the public school system because I he has learned and has firmly believed from was necessarily dissatisfied with its ability or in- his childhood. The assumption here is that ability to teach academics to children. I left the Timothy has been acquainted with the sacred public school system because its basis and foun- writings – that is, the Holy Scriptures – for the dation was completely the opposite of what has purpose and benefit of his salvation through for two thousand years been taught in the Ortho- faith in Jesus Christ. dox Christian Church. I had to make a decision in my life as to whether I would be more concerned In recent times, there has been much dis- with preparing young people for success in this cussion among Orthodox people regarding how fallen world for sixty, seventy or eighty years, or we should raise and instruct our children, which rather in preparing them for eternity. The public is a good thing, since, as St. Theophan the Re- school systems with which I was associated in my cluse tells us, “Of all holy works, the education of teaching career provided little or nothing for the children is the most holy.” In pursuing this holi- spiritual wellbeing of a traditional Christian. ness, there are people who are firm believers in I thus began an effort in my life to do every- the public school system. There are people who thing I could to find a teaching situation that would firmly believe in Orthodox parochial education. be most beneficial for my own salvation and that of We also have people who are strongly committed the people God had given me to oversee. This be- to home-schooling. Indeed, Orthodox Christianity ing the case, I want to stress in this article that, if in America has all been influenced by all three of you are considering sending your child to a public these. I have been asked to make some commen- or parochial school, it is most important that you tary on the benefits of these, inasmuch as I have do an evaluation of that particular school. Before spent time teaching in the public school system you examine the school’s ability to teach academ- as well as working within the Church itself. ics, however, it is absolutely necessary that you In the middle 1980s, I left public school teach- determine whether the school is Christian-friend-

16 The Word ly, Christian-tolerant, or anti-Christian. If you find the school to be Christian-friendly and capable of teaching academics, you may want to utilize it as part of your responsibility to rear and educate your children. If, however, the school is merely Christian-tolerant or is anti-Christian, it behooves you to look for alternatives. Let me stress that in raising your children, it is their eternal salvation which should be at the top of your priorities. This is your responsibility before God. Icon of I am blessed in my diocese that within its geo- St. Theophan the Recluse. graphic area there are three excellent Orthodox parochial schools that I can heartily recommend Below: Icon of to people who live in their area. Unfortunately, St. Timothy however, many people cannot afford to send their they took their children home and taught them in children to private school or do not live near their homes. This is very much like what Chris- such a school, and so they look at the option of tians did when the liturgical life of the Church home-schooling their children. The idea of home- was persecuted. We read in the early Church that schooling is bittersweet to me. Home-schooling is people worshiped in caves and sometimes even bitter, in that it has come about for the most part in their homes, because these were their only because our public schools have ceased to be fer- ­options. tile ground for people who are trying to work out In our churches and in this country as it their salvation. Home-schooling is sweet, however, exists today, for the most part, this is not our in that it gives an indication that there are parents only option. It is true that many of us have had to who are genuinely concerned with the Christian abandon the public school system, or will have to education of their children and who love them abandon it, much as I did twenty-five years ago. enough to commit to spend hours upon hours – This surrender of the school system to the world indeed, most of their lives – teaching them. The is a sad one, but in many cases, there is no other icon of St. Paul and St. Timothy seems to be writ- choice, because sometimes we have to make the ten on the hearts of many of these people. choice that Joshua made so many centuries ago: We have to be very careful in examining our “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” options. It has been my experience that there is (Joshua 24:15). arrogance in some people who work in the public Times are such, however, and communica- schools. There is also arrogance in some people tion is such that there is no reason why our chil- who work in parochial schools, even some that dren must be taught only by their parents. Within are Orthodox. There can also be great arrogance and selfishness in people who home-school their children. The problem with all these approaches is that they can be dedicated to an ideology rath- er than to the Gospel. The method can become more important than the purpose which the meth- od should serve – our salvation. The Scriptures tell us to work out our salvation in the situation in which we find ourselves, whatever it may be. There is no one educational situation which is ab- solutely necessary for our salvation. In the early days of the Church, Christians often found that the available schools fell short in providing for an environment that was healthy for working out their salvation. With no other choice,

The Word 17 our communities we have the ability to pool our Some of us will be able to teach and learn suc- resources and bring our children together and cessfully in the public school system and be wit- expand a home-school so that it becomes a mini- nesses there to our Lord, God and Savior Jesus church within which is an Orthodox school. In Christ. Some of us will be able to develop and many home-schools, people are involved aside build formal Orthodox parochial schools that will from the parents. Whatever we do, the parish be sacramental and mystical and an extension of priest must be in the center of this, as the priest the . Some of us who live distan- must be in the center of all our lives as Orthodox ces from Christian-friendly, academically capable Christians. If we are doing things in our lives that schools will be able to be apostolic in our neigh- are separate from the Church and also without borhoods. These people can build little churches the blessing of Christ’s successors, then we are no within their homes that welcome not only their better than that fallen system which we abandon. own children, but the children of our neighbor- My brothers and sisters in Christ, we are called to hoods, to study the teachings of the Church along live and learn together as a community that exists with academic subjects. as a bridge from the heavenly to the earthly. I urge you to dismiss nothing. Take a good A few days ago, I was with a group of people look at all the opportunities that are open to you and your chil- This surrender of the school system to the world is a sad one, but in many cases, there is no other choice that Joshua dren. Light made so many centuries ago: “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15). candles, pray and fast to discern where who had a long discussion about this subject. One God wants you and your children. More import- priest commented to me that it was a good thing antly, understand that in every situation, the true that our children learn from their parents at home Teacher is Christ Himself. Whatever teaching and that their interaction with other children was method you choose, Christ must be at the head only necessary for an hour or two a week. An- of the classroom. The icon of Christ is what your other woman involved in our discussion said the children must view in you, in their teachers, on exact opposite: she believed that our children the screens of their computers, and in the faces of really only need to be exposed to the Church a their peers. Within our Antiochian Archdiocese, couple hours a week, and that these couple of programs exist – such as camping and Christian hours would somehow sanctify the rest of the education programs – that are absolutely vital in week in the public school. I believe that there is helping you to choose. Be sure that you make use great arrogance and selfishness in both of these of them. opinions. Children need to have , , We commend you to your bishops, your , parents, teachers and other children, priests, your deacons, your subdeacons, and all whose holy teaching, conduct, faith, patience, your teachers in the faith “to instruct you for sal- love, and steadfastness are an icon for them all vation through faith in Christ Jesus.” day long, wherever they find themselves. Children learn best from other children and elders who Right Reverend THOMAS (Joseph), Ed. D., Bishop of Charleston, Oakland and the Mid-Atlantic facilitate their journey to the Kingdom of God. Christ’s Kingdom must be present for us whether we are in the public school, a parochial school or a home-school. It is my prayer that the faithful of Christ’s Church will not dismiss out of hand any option that might offer their children as well as other children the opportunity to seek first the King- dom of God. Our Lord has given us a ministry to baptize and teach all nations in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

18 The Word archdiocesAN office Elevations

SALAMY, Priest Christopher, to the rank of Arch- priest by Bishop JOSEPH at St. George Church in Phoenix, Arizona, on April 26, 2009.

The Order of St. Ignatius of Antioch 50th Anniversary

Join The Order of St. Ignatius of Antioch this summer at the 49th Antiochian Archdiocese Con- vention in Palm Desert, California, when we cel- ebrate the 50th Anniversary of the ordination to the Priesthood of His Eminence, Metropolitan PHILIP. With the blessing of Sayidna PHILIP, The Order is pleased to sponsor the Convention Guest Speaker, His Eminence, Metropolitan NIKITAS, Director of the Patriarch Athenagoras Institute in feelings toward Vladyka MERCURIUS and spoke Very Rev. Thomas Berkley, California. Metropolitan NIKITAS, who of the good relations which he enjoyed with him Zain, His Grace was born in the United States, served as the first during his stay in the United States over the past Bishop MERCU- RIUS, His Eminence Metropolitan of Hong Kong and Southeast Asia nine years. The two hierarchs exchanged many Metropolitan PHILIP, (1996–2006) and worked closely with Interna- ideas on the topic of Orthodox unity in America, Very Rev. Alexan- tional Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) to and on the Pan-Orthodox Council to be held in der Abramov, Rev. provide relief to the victims of the tsunami within Cyprus later this year. George Kevorkian his Archdiocese in 2004. Metropolitan NIKITAS His Eminence Metropolitan PHILIP asked will address us on Thursday, July 23, and Friday, Vladyka MERCURIUS to convey his warmest July 24, at 6:30 p.m., in the Convention Chapel. regards to His Holiness, Patriarch KIRILL, and expressed his wish that the Patriarch of Moscow His Grace, Bishop MERCURIUS, the and All Russia should exercise a leading role in ­Administrator of the Moscow Patriarchal international Orthodox relations, especially given Parishes in the United States, Visits the that His Holiness represents approximately 100 Archdiocese Offices million Orthodox Christians. His Eminence Met- On Bright Tuesday, April 21, 2009, His Grace ropolitan PHILIP also spoke fondly of his two pre- Vladyka MERCURIUS, the Administrator of the vious visits to Russia. of the Moscow Patriarchal Parishes in the United States visited His Eminence Metropolitan PHILIP, The visit of His at the Antiochian Archdiocese in Englewood, New Grace Bishop Jersey. MERCURIUS, the The occasion was a farewell visit by Vladyka Administrator of the MERCURIUS before he departs for Moscow to Moscow Patriarchal assume his new duties as the Chairman of the Parishes in the United States to Synodal Department for Religious Education and the Archdiocese for the Moscow Patriarchate, and Ab- Headquarters. bot of St. Peter’s Monastery in Moscow. Metropolitan PHILIP expressed his warm

The Word 19 daily devotions Register Today for Faith, JULY 2009 Family Time and Fun at the

2009 Parish Life V. Rev. George Alberts Conference

1. ROMANS 11:2-12; MATTHEW 11:20-26 (FAST) 2. ROMANS 11:13-24; MATTHEW 11:27-30 3. ROMANS 11:25-36; MATTHEW 12:1-8 (FAST) of the Diocese of 4. ROMANS 6:11-17; MATTHEW 8:14-23 Los Angeles and the West 5. ROMANS 6:18-23; MATTHEW 8:5-13 May 20-24, 2009 6. ROMANS 12:4-5, 15-21; mATTHEW 12:9-13 7. ROMANS 14:9-18; MATTHEW 12:14-16, 22-30 Key note Speaker: Very Rev. Thomas Hopko 8. ROMANS 15:7-16; MATTHEW 12:38-45 (FAST) Activities for the Whole Family—Kid’s Club, Teen Track and More 9. ROMANS 15:17-29; MATTHEW 12:46-13:3 10. ROMANS 16:1-16; MATTHEW 13:4-9 (FAST) Santa Clara Marriott Reserve rooms at 1-888-236-2427 11. ROMANS 8:14-21; MATTHEW 9:9-13 Group Code: dladlaa 12. ROMANS 10:1-10; MATTHEW 8:28-8:1 Hosted by St. Stephen Antiochian Orthodox Church 13. ROMANS 16:17-24; MATTHEW 13:10-23 of Campbell, CA 14. 1 CORINTHIANS 1:1-9; MATTHEW 13:24-30 Visit: www.plc2009.org 15. GALATIANS 1:11-19; JOHN 10:1-9 (FAST) 16. 1 CORINTHIANS 3:18-23; MATTHEW 13:36-43 17. 1 CORINTHIANS 4:5-8; MATTHEW 13:44-54 (FAST) St. James 18. ROMANS 9:1-5; MATTHEW 9:18-26 19. TITUS 3:8-15; MATTHEW 5:14-19 Antiochian Orthodox Church, 20. JAMES 5:10-20; LUKE 4:22-30 Loveland, Ohio 21. 1 CORINTHIANS 6:20-7:12; MATTHEW 14:1-13 cordially invites you 22. 1 CORINTHIANS 7:12-24; to join us at the MATTHEW 14:35-15:11 (FAST) 23. 1 CORINTHIANS 7:24-35; MATTHEW 15:12-21 24. 1 CORINTHIANS 7:35-8:7; 2009 MATTHEW 15:29-31 (FAST) MIDWEST DIOCESE 25. ROMANS 12:1-3; MATTHEW 10:37-11:1 26. 1 TIMOTHY 3:13-4:5; MATTHEW 9:27-35 PARISH LIFE 27. 2 TIMOTHY 2:1-10; JOHN 15:17-16:2 CONFERENCE 28. 1 CORINTHIANS 10:5-12; MATTHEW 16:6-12 29. 1 CORINTHIANS 10:12-22; Wednesday, July 1 MATTHEW 16:20-24 (FAST) 30. 1 CORINTHIANS 10:28-11:17 through MATTHEW 16:24-28 Sunday, July 5, 2009 31. 1 CORINTHIANS 11:8-22; MATTHEW 17:10-18 (FAST) Sheraton Cincinnati North ($99 per night, including free parking)

20 The Word St. Peter Orthodox Church invites you to The 2009 Diocese of Miami and the daily devotions Southeast Parish Life Conference august 2009 June 10-14, 2009 • Jackson, Mississippi V. Rev. George Alberts

1. ROMANS 13:1-10; MATTHEW 12:30-37 DORMITION FAST BEGINS 2. 1 CORINTHIANS 1:10-18; MATTHEW 14:14-22 (FAST) 3. 1 CORINTHIANS 11:31-12:6; MATTHEW 18:1-11 (FAST) 4. 1 CORINTHIANS 12:12-26; Be mindful, O Lord, of those who bear fruit MATTHEW 18:18-22, 19:1-2, 13-15 (FAST) and do good works in thy holy Churches, 5. 1 CORINTHIANS 13:4-14:5; MATTHEW 20:1-16 (FAST) and who remember the poor. 6. 2 PETER 1:10-19; MATTHEW 17:1-9 (FAST) of Sts John Chrysostom and Basil the Great 7. 1 CORINTHIANS 14:26-40; Host Hotel is Hilton Jackson MATTHEW 21:12-14, 17-20 (FAST) 8. ROMANS 14:6-9; MATTHEW 15:32-39 (FAST) 1001 East County Line Road 9. 1 CORINTHIANS 3:9-17; For more information, please visit our website at MATTHEW 14:22-34 (FAST) 10. 1 CORINTHIANS 15:12-19; http://www.stpeterorthodox.org/ MATTHEW 21:18-22 (FAST) or contact us at [email protected] 11. 1 CORINTHIANS 15:29-38; MATTHEW 21:23-27 (FAST) 12. 1 CORINTHIANS 16:4-12; MATTHEW 21:28-32 (FAST) 13. 2 CORINTHIANS 1:1-7; MATTHEW 21:43-46 (FAST) 14. 2 CORINTHIANS 1:12-20; MATTHEW 22:23-33 (FAST) 15. PHILIPPIANS 2:5-11; LUKE 10:38-42, 11:27-28 56th Annual Diocese of Ottawa, Eastern Canada, and FEAST OF THE DORMITION Upstate New York Parish Life Conference 16. 1 CORINTHIANS 4:9-16; MATTHEW 17:14-23 June 25–28, 2009 17. 2 CORINTHIANS 2:4-15; MATTHEW 23:13-22 18. 2 CORINTHIANS 2:14-3:3; Hosted by MATTHEW 23:23-28 St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church 19. 2 CORINTHIANS 3:4-11; 1073 Saunders Settlement Rd, Niagara Falls, NY 14305 MATTHEW 23:29-39 (FAST) Phone and Fax (716) 297-2668 20. 2 CORINTHIANS 4:1-6; MATTHEW 24:13-28 e-mail: [email protected] www.st-george.squarespace.com 21. 2 CORINTHIANS 4:13-18; MATTHEW 24:27-33, 42-51 (FAST) Crowne Plaza Hotel, Niagara Falls 22. 1 CORINTHIANS 1:3-9; MATTHEW 19:3-12 300 Third Street, Niagara Falls, NY 14303 23. 1 CORINTHIANS 9:2-12; MATTHEW 18:23-35 Hotel Front Desk: 1-716-285-3361 24. 2 CORINTHIANS 5:10-15; MARK 1:9-15 Reservations can be made by logging onto www.crownplaza. com/niagarafalls or 1-800-2CROWN 25. 2 CORINTHIANS 5:15-21; MARK 1:16-22 Guests will need to refer to “St. George Antiochian Orthodox 26. 2 CORINTHIANS 6:11-16; Church” or use the three letter reference code “STG”. MARK 1:23-28 (FAST) Room rate is $139.00 (U.S.) 27. 2 CORINTHIANS 7:1-10; MARK 1:29-35 28. 2 CORINTHIANS 7:10-16; St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church will host the 56th Annual Parish Life Conference. Please join us in this event in the presence of his Grace, MARK 2:18-22 (FAST) Bishop ALEXANDER. The registration form and the souvenir journal form 29. ACTS 13:25-32; MARK 6:14-30 (STRICT FAST) are available on our Web site. The souvenir journal, to be published and BEHEADING OF ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST distributed, will contain a schedule of events and include greetings from the Archdiocese, the Diocese of Ottawa, Parish members, donors and sponsors. 30. 1 CORINTHIANS 15:1-11; MATTHEW 19:16-26 We thank you for your generosity. 31. 2 CORINTHIANS 8:7-15; MARK 3:6-12 The Word 21 5th Annual daily devotions Diocese of Wichita and Mid-America september 2009 Parish Life Conference June 10-13, 2009 Hosted by St. Mary Orthodox Christian Church 344 S. Martinson St. Wichita, Kansas 67213-4044 Phone (316) 264-1576 V. Rev. George Alberts Email: [email protected] Honored keynote speaker is 1. 2 CORINTHIANS 8:16-9:5; MARK 3:13-19 His Eminence Metropolitan SABA Archdiocese of Bosra-Houran 2. 2 CORINTHIANS 9:12-10:7; Registration, Events, Schedule, Ad book MARK 3:20-27 (FAST) and Workshop information have been 3. 2 CORINTHIANS 10:7-18; MARK 3:28-35 posted on the PLC Web site: 4. 2 CORINTHIANS 11:5-21; MARK 4:1-9 (FAST) www.DOWAMAPLC.org 5. 1 CORINTHIANS 2:6-9; MATTHEW 22:15-22 Accommodations: 6. 1 CORINTHIANS 16:13-24; Wichita Airport Hilton, Wichita MATTHEW 21:33-42 2098 Airport Road (800) 247-4458 7. 2 corinthians 12:10-19; MARK 4:10-23 Reservations can be made by logging onto 8. PHILIPPIANS 2:5-11; LUKE 10:38-42, 11:27-28 www.wichitaairport.hilton.com birth of the Ask for Group/Convention Code: DOW 9. 2 CORINTHIANS 13:3-13; Special Rate: $97 plus taxes MARK 4:35-41 (FAST) All reservations must be made by 10. GALATIANS 1:1-10, 20-2:5; MARK 5:1-10 May 27, 2009 11. GALATIANS 2:6-10; MARK 5:22-24, 36-6:1 (FAST) 12. 1 CORINTHIANS 2:6-9; MATTHEW 10:37-11:1 Diocese of Worcester 13. GALATIANS 6:11-18; JOHN 3:13-17 and New England 14. 1 CORINTHIANS 1:18-24; JOHN 19:6-11, 13-20, 25-35 (STRICT FAST) Please join us for the ELEVATION OF THE HOLY CROSS 15. GALATIANS 2:21-3:7; MARK 6:1-7 st 16. GALATIANS 3:15-22; MARK 6:7-13 (FAST) 71 Annual Parish Life 17. GALATIANS 3:23-4:5; MARK 6:30-45 Conference 18. GALATIANS 4:8-21; MARK 6:45-53 (FAST) June 25 – 28, 2009 19. 1 CORINTHIANS 1:26-29; JOHN 8:21-30 20. GALATIANS 2:16-20; MARK 8:34-9:1 Conference Location: 21. GALATIANS 4:28-5:10; LUKE 3:19-22 22. GALATIANS 5:11-21; LUKE 3:23-4:1 Wyndham Hotel 23. GALATIANS 6:2-10; LUKE 4:1-15 (FAST) 123 Old River Road 24. EPHESIANS 1:1-9; LUKE 4:16-22 25. EPHESIANS 1:7-17; LUKE 4:22-30 (FAST) Andover, MA 01810 26. 1 CORINTHIANS 10:23-28; LUKE 4:31-36 (978) 975-3600 27. 2 CORINTHIANS 6:1-10; LUKE 5:1-11 28. EPHESIANS 1:22-2:3; LUKE 4:37-44 Make your reservations by calling 29. EPHESIANS 2:19-3:7; LUKE 5:12-16 the hotel on or before June 4, 2009; 30. EPHESIANS 3:8-21; LUKE 5:33-39 (FAST) mention the ­Parish Life Conference (PLC) for the special rates.

Hosted by St. George Orthodox Church, Lawrence, MA 22 The Word A reason to visit Alaska 2009 58th Eastern Dioceses this summer … 15th Annual Parish Life Conference Eagle July 1–July 5, 2009 River Hosted by the Virgin Mary Antiochian Orthodox Church Institute Yonkers, New York of Orthodox Christian Studies We are delighted to inform you that His Eminence, the Most Reverend Metropolitan PHILIP, who is celebrating his 50th Anniversary to the Holy Priesthood, and the Right Reverend Bishop THOMAS will preside over the 58th Eastern Dioceses Parish Life Conference. Our Souvenir Journal will be honoring His Eminence, the Most Reverend Metropolitan PHILIP on this Golden Anniversary. August 1-5, 2009 The Souvenir Journal form and all the necessary forms Dr. Christopher Veniamin Author, Rod Dreher are available to you on our Web site: Lessons from Wisdom of Orthopraxy: Living Rightly in www.virginmaryplc09.org. Saint Silouan the Athonite: the Modern World We invite you, your parishioners, family & friends to join us for “Keep Thy Mind in Hell and Despair Not” 1) The Benedict Option: Why Fellowship, Family & Faith. ­Orthodox Christians Should Host Hotel 1) Finding the Will of God ­Pioneer New Forms of 2) The Place for Obedience in the ­Community Rye Town Hilton Christian Life 2) Eating to Live: Mindfulness, 699 Westchester Avenue 3) Prayer and the Imagination Morality and Our Complicated Rye Brook, New York 10573 4) More on Prayer: Personal and Relationship to Food Tel: 1-914-939-6300 Liturgical 3) Morality and Marketplace: ­Orthodox Approaches to a 1-800-HILTONS ­Humane Economy 4) Orthodoxy and the Medicine of the Future: The Surprising ­Connections Among Ancient Christian Wisdom, the New ­Physics, and “Heterodox” Healing

For information contact: Saint John Orthodox Cathedral • P.O. Box 1108, Eagle River, Alaska 99577 stjohnalaska.org • (907) 696-2002 • Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese Midwest Parish Life Conference

2009 Sharing Our Faith Building Our Church

The 2009 Orthodox Conference on Missions and Evangelism Department of Missions and Evangelism Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America 777 Camino Pescadero * Santa Barbara, CA 93117 September 4-7 Antiochian Village, Ligonier, Pennsylvania For more information visit www.antiochian.org/missions/conference or call 805-685-5400 or 888-968-4014

The Word 23 If a single drop of water can alter the entire surface of a lake, imagine the effect of a downpour.

Be a part of the force. The Order of St. Ignatius of Antioch is an organization that affects more individual lives than you can begin to imagine.

If you would like more information about this wonderful ministry call: (201) 871-1355 E-mail: [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:______

6/09 Communities in action

The Orthodox Our Church: Baptized by Saint Raphael of Brooklyn to of the Redeemer entered their Church of the Fire and Water seal into the top of the altar. own fiery furnace: Would their ­Redeemer, The altar was then washed hearts flame into fire like their Los ­Altos Hills, Bishop Joseph pounded with while the cantor sang words church, consumed by anger, ­California his hand cross on the closed from Holy Scripture: then blindness? doors of the Orthodox Church “Even though I walk through Into this scene of destruction of the Redeemer, then shouted: the valley of the shadow of Christ had extended his merciful “Lift up your gates, O princes; death, I fear no evil; for Thou hand. The altar of the Church of and be lifted up, O everlasting art with me; Thy rod and Thy the Redeemer had been reduced gates, that the King of glory staff, they comfort me. Thou to a nearly perfect rectangle of may come in.” preparest a table before me in ash, only inches high. On the al- A voice came from within the the presence of mine enemies.” tar had sat the Book of the Gos- darkened building: And Bishop Joseph prayed: pel. After the fire, Father Samer “Who is the King of glory? “Sanctify this temple and this and the firemen found it, its pa- Bishop Joseph responded: Holy Table; fill it with Light Ev- per pages unconsumed. Most of “The Lord strong and mighty, erlasting; elect it for Thy dwell- it remained intact. On the top the Lord, mighty in war.” ing-place; make it the abode of remaining page of the Book of “Who is the King of glory?” Thy Glory.” the Gospel, scorched around its came the question again. * * * edges but plainly legible, stood “The Lord strong and mighty, Six years earlier flames crack- fast the words of Christ: “You the Lord, mighty in war.” led in the darkness just before have heard that it was said, ‘An Dared the hidden voice once dawn. An arsonist had poured eye for an eye and a tooth for a more: accelerant throughout the sanc- tooth.’ But I say to you, Do not “Who is the King of glory?” tuary. Fire leapt over the pews resist an evildoer. But if anyone This time Bishop Joseph and roof, then from the altar. strikes you on the right cheek, thundered, “The Lord of hosts, Within minutes a place of wor- turn the other also” (Matthew He is the King of glory!” as he ship was reduced to neat piles 5:38–39). Christ spoke his gen- flung open the doors of the of fine ash. tle but immoveable challenge to Church. With Father Samer Before the sun rose, word the heart of each parishioner of Youssef and attendant priests, spread rapidly from phone to the Orthodox Church of the Re- deacons and altar servers, he phone. Members of the Church deemer. raced forward with relics from

The Word 25 COMMUNITIES IN ACTION

First came the clean up. Ex- the church installed four golden is living with the manners of cept for the Words of Christ, chandeliers, working late into God.” next to nothing remained to be the night. The Russian iconog- Before the nave of the salvaged from the ashes. On rapher adorned the altar, walls Church of the Redeemer filled that first Sunday after the fire and dome of the church with with the faithful. Bishop ­Joseph the congregation met in a large in the Byzantine processed into the sanctuary, tent, but the weather made it a style. Friday morning, one day bearing with him the authority struggle to pray. Wind kept loos- before services, the iconogra- of Christ and relics from Saint ening the tarp, and wet, cold pher’s scaffolding came down Raphael of Brooklyn. The choir rain slapped against the cheeks and clean up began. sang. Father Samer and neigh- of those who would pray. Yet Meanwhile, the boring priests gathered around the prayer continued. The com- committee and women of the the Bishop. Golden chandeliers munity, momentarily huddled, church prepared a banquet. shimmered against azure iconic quickly grew in strength, enliv- Gracious and elegant, they did blue. The voice of the cantor, ened by the Spirit of God who their work as unto Christ. From and incense, filled the air with had seen fit to baptize it with their character they crafted a the signs of prayer. fire. tasteful and dignified banquet On October 26, 2008, not To start, all the parishioners and hafli, served to several only was a building built and gave themselves to vigorous hundred parishioners and com- consecrated, but a people. The physical labor. A building com- munity members at the Santa Church of the Redeemer, as the mittee was formed. With tenac- Clara Hyatt Regency. Represen- , was given a vi- ity and wisdom Father Samer, tative to Congress Anna Eshoo, sion of heaven on earth. Father the building committee and the so helpful to the Church of the Samer asked, “This baptism by parish council encouraged the Redeemer in the immediate af- fire, then water, how does it people, while neighbors and termath of the fire, spoke mov- change what we see?” He con- the community supported the ingly of her parents’ faith. The tinued, “We are distracted by Church with generous dona- choir sang hymns of the church power or money or position or tions. Six and one-half years of with beauty and strength. The pleasure. But at the end of time unabated effort swept by. The architect and the captains of all stand before the judgment construction work moved to- the fire department who fought seat of Christ. The angels now ward its finishing touches. so bravely that fateful Sunday in the altar watch. Christ watch- Preparation for the Consecra- morning were honored. Bishop es. All of us must live our lives tion reached everywhere. An JOSEPH then spoke, calling all before their eyes.” Orthodox craftsman prepared to Christ, and to the dignity and As he pointed to the Panto- the holy altar. He carved four glory of the work that awaited crator above him, Father Samer rectangular cavities into the sur- us in the morning. offered his final words. “The face corners of the altar where In the architecture of the Church as a people must see in of the four evangelists, Church of the Redeemer, inge- each other the image of Christ, approximately three inches by nious in its technique, classical- greet one another with a holy five inches, would be waxed into ly Byzantine in its presentation, kiss, so that love reigns, the the corners. Steel braces were a sweeping dome dominates love of Christ – one to another, bolted to the rear of the iconos- the nave. The stunning beauty then spreading into the world.” tasis and at their base to the and power of the Pantocrator, The vision of the Pantocrator concrete under the ambo, then Who fills the dome and all the in the dome, no matter of mere painted gold. Altar implements sanctuary, draws the eyes of all artwork, lives as a vision of the and temple furnishings traveled who enter to Himself. A window people – Christ Himself. from Greece by ship, arriving to heaven is opened. The heart As Bishop Joseph stated in only a week ahead of the Con- is compelled to silence. Beauty his homily at the conclusion of secration. Two evenings before and the love of God reign. As the Consecration, on October the Bishop arrived, the men of Father Samer once said, “Love 26, 2008, “Orthodoxy is to live

26 The Word The Fellowship Of Saint John The Divine COMMUNITIES IN ACTION the life of Christ. We say, ‘God of Metro Detroit sang during the (Word-Up) via e-mail. These is marvelous in his saints.’ It service. messages contain a variety of means that God is glorified in All proceeds from the re- articles and announcements of the people who are following freshments will be used for events in each diocese. As we Him. Today I, you, all of us, we COCC charities and projects. stay in touch with our fellow stu- baptized the Church. Today the The COCC conducts its series dents, we are able to field ques- Holy Spirit Himself consecrat- of services annually tions from students about an ed the Church. Today the Holy during the five Sundays of Or- OCF chapter, a nearby church, Spirit, God Himself, came into thodox Great . The previ- or simply finding other Ortho- this building. From now on you ous four services this year were dox students at their schools. have to feel the presence of God. held March 8 at St. Lazarus Ser- Also, every year we send a gift See God. Experience God.” bian Orthodox Church, Detroit; on behalf of the Fellowship of St. “Let us have a humble and March 15 at St. Michael Ortho- John the Divine to the students contrite spirit. And embrace dox Church, Redford; March 22 in our database, as a means of one another. And think and be at St. George Romanian Ortho- letting them know that we are convinced that someone else dox Cathedral, Southfield; and thinking of them. We hope that has more of the love of God March 29 at St. Clement Ohrid- this will also help connect our than me. This is the Church.” ski Macedonian-Bulgarian Or- fellow students to the Fellow- thodox Church, Dearborn. ship of St John the Divine. As James Bronson Stroud The COCC is a 52-year- a result, we have seen more The Orthodox Church of the Redeemer old clergy and lay associa- students transitioning to the Los Altos Hills, California tion that represents various Fellowship when they graduate canonical Orthodox churches from college, if not earlier. St. Thomas Orthodox in metro Detroit. Its mission As students ourselves, NASB Church, Farmington Hills, is to promote Orthodox Chris- feels that having some form of hosted the fifth and final tianity throughout the area communication with the Church service April 5 through worship, fellowship, through the college years is cru- and charitable, educational cial for Orthodox. If you are a LIVONIA, Mich. - The Council and outreach programs. For student at college or about to of Orthodox Christian Churches further information, visit go, add yourself to our database of Metropolitan Detroit (COCC) http://www.coccdetroit.com/. by completing the online form conducted the fifth and final ser- found on our Web site (www. vice of its 2009 series of Lenten Richard Shebib, Council of Orthodox antiochian.org/college). Parents Vespers services at 6 p.m. on Christian Churches of Metropolitan are welcome to submit their stu- April 5, the Sunday of St. Mary Detroit David Adrian dents’ information as well. of Egypt, at St. Thomas Ortho- For more information, please dox Church, Farmington Hills. The North American visit our Web site at: www.antio- The Very Rev. Roman Star of ­Student Board: Who Are chian.org/college. St. Innocent of Irkutsk Orthodox We? Church, Redford, spiritual advi- Where are the college stu- by Rachael Sabbag (Representative sor to the COCC and president of the Diocese of Worcester) of the Orthodox Clergy Brother- dents? Well, here we are! The hood of St. John Chrysostom of North American Student Board Metropolitan Detroit, presided (NASB) is made up of one col- at the service, assisted by other lege student from each diocese. members of the Clergy Brother- Our mission is to get and stay hood. The Rev. John W. Fenton in touch with our Antiochian Or- of Holy Incarnation Orthodox thodox college students. Church, Lincoln Park, delivered In order to keep in touch we the homily. The Orthodox Choir contact our college students through monthly newsletters

The Word 27 COMMUNITIES IN ACTION

A Priest’s Priest

To many in the community, in the churches and throughout the Antiochian Archdiocese, he was known as the Very Rever- end Father Nifon Abraham. To me, he was “Baba.” It has been nine months since my father passed away, and I of- ten reflect on how blessed I am to be the daughter of the man whom I and so many others have referred to as “a priest’s priest.” I have childhood memories of hearing classmates and friends ask each other: “What does your daddy do?” Some would re- spond: “a lawyer,” “a banker,” “a fireman,” or “an engineer.” When I would respond, “My father is a priest,” the puzzled looks on their faces would prompt me to recite my rehearsed explanation

of the Orthodox Church having Abraham Nifon Fr. a married priesthood. Even as I At the age of 14, following in his diaconate on October 27, and got older, the question remained father’s footsteps, he enrolled the next day ordained to the sa- the same. But my enlightened in the monastery at Balamand, cred priesthood and appointed answer changed to “My father is Lebanon. From Balamand, he to serve as pastor to more than a priest’s priest.” went to the monastery of St. one thousand families at St. I say that not because he was George Alhoumaira in the Hosn John the Baptist Church in Kat- a priest for 57 years and ad- Valley, where he served as sub- tina, Syria. ministered the sacraments well, deacon until 1951. South Norwood, Massachu- or even that he taught at Holy It was during his days as a setts was home to many who Cross Seminary. Rather, my re- seminarian that he, along with emigrated from the Hosn Val- mark comes from watching my his brother (also a seminarian), ley. The faithful there requested father live his life spiritually formed a deep-rooted and life- a priest – specifically, Fr. Nifon and with integrity; as a man of long friendship with two stu- – from the old country to lead unwavering faith whose actions dents at Balamand – Philip Sali- them, and Metropolitan ANT- reflected his deep and abiding ba and Antoun Yssa Khouri, now ONY Bashir granted their wish. love of God and the Church. respectfully known as His Emi- My father was assigned to serve On April 5th, 1928, Nifon nence Metropolitan PHILIP and the small parish of St. George Abraham was born, the fourth His Grace Bishop ANTOUN. in Norwood, and my parents of eight children of Father Phi- For Father Nifon, October stepped on U.S. soil in Boston lipos Abraham Farah and Nazha 1951 was an extraordinary for the very first time on Octo- Kaleel Farah, in Bahour, a small month. He married my mother, ber 10, 1953. village in Syria’s Hosn Valley. Afefee Salloum, on October 7. Eager to learn the English Even at an early age, my fa- She was literally the girl next language, my father studied at ther felt a calling to serve God. door. He was ordained to the a college and was tutored by

28 The Word (Continued on page 37)

THE SELF-RULED ANTIOCHIAN ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN ARCHDIOCESE PUBLICATIONS DEPARTMENT 358 Mountain Road, P.O. Box 5238, Englewood, NJ 07631-5238 Phone: 201-871-1355 Fax: 201-871-1709 Book List & Order Form 2009-2010 JUNE 2009 ORDER FORM JUNE 2010 TITLE PRICE QUANTITY TOTAL COST FOR OFFICE USE CHRISTIAN EDUCATION: CHURCH SCHOOL MATERIALS PRESCHOOL The Wonder of it All (Student) $ 7.50 The Wonder of it All (Teacher) 8.50 God, My Friends, and Me (Student) 7.00 God, My Friends, and Me (Teacher) 11.95 KINDERGARTEN Together with God (Student) 10.00 Together with God (Teacher) 12.00 Birth of Jesus (Picto-graph) 11.00 Teaching Pictures (1 Package, 4 Sets) 35.00 GRADE ONE God Loves Us (Student) 8.95 God Loves Us (Teacher) 13.95 Lenten Lotto 3.00 Teaching Pictures (1 Packages, 4 Sets) 35.00 GRADE TWO New Life in Jesus (Student) 8.95 New Life in Jesus (Teacher) 15.95 Making Things Right (Student) 5.95 Making Things Right (Activity Packet) 3.95 Making Things Right (Teacher) 10.95 God is With Us (Teacher/Parent) 8.00 We Return to God (Teacher/Parent) 2.00 Teaching Pictures (1 Package, 4 Sets) 35.00 GRADE THREE New Life in the Church (Student) 8.00 New Life in the Church (Teacher) 9.95 We Worship God in Church (Student) 7.50 PLEASE DO NOT TEAR OFF THIS PAGE We Worship God in Church (Teacher) 8.00 The Icon Book (Student) 8.00 Forty Saints Text Book (Teacher Manual) 4.00 Forty Saints Coloring Book (Student) 4.00 Divine Liturgy Flip Chart 15.00 Teaching Pictures (1 Package, 4 Sets) 35.00 GRADE FOUR Jesus, The Promise of God (Student) 10.00 Jesus, The Promise of God (Teacher) 11.00 Icon Cards: Miracles of Christ (Student) 5.00 Icon Cards: Life of Jesus (Student) 5.00 Finding Your Way Through the Bible (Student) 6.00 Teaching Pictures (1 Package, 4 Sets) 35.00 GRADE FIVE Our Life in the Church (Student) 7.00 Our Life in the Church (Teacher) 9.95 Divine Liturgy Flip Chart 15.00 Teaching Pictures (1 Package, 4 Sets) 35.00 GRADE SIX In the Beginning (Student) 9.00 In the Beginning (Teacher) 9.50 Exploring How the Bible Came to Be 7.00 Teaching Pictures (1 Package, 4 Sets) 35.00

SUB-TOTAL A

The Word 29

JUNE 2009 ORDER FORM JUNE 2010 TITLE PRICE QUANTITY TOTAL COST FOR OFFICE USE CHRISTIAN EDUCATION: CHURCH SCHOOL MATERIALS: GRADE SEVEN The Young Church (Student) $ 7.00 The Young Church (Teacher) 8.50 Biblical and Liturgical Charts 3.00 Teaching Pictures (1 Package, 4 Sets) 35.00 GRADE EIGHT Heroes for Truth (Student) 7.50 Heroes for Truth (Teacher) 8.00 Heroes Worksheets (Student) 2.50 Teaching Pictures (1 Packages, 4 Sets) 35.00 GRADE NINE New Frontiers (Student) 7.50 New Frontiers (Teacher) 8.00 Frontiers Worksheets (Student) 2.50 Teaching Pictures (1 Package/4 Sets) 35.00 GRADE TEN Celebration: Feasts and Holy Days (Student) 8.75 Celebration: Feasts and Holy Days (Teacher) 10.00 Teaching Pictures (1 Package/4 Sets) 35.00 SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL The Way, The Truth, The Life (Student) 15.95 The Way, The Truth, The Life (Teacher) 19.95 Teaching Pictures (1 Package, 4 Sets) 35.00

SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIALS FOR GRADES 1—8 PLEASE DO NOT TEAR OFF THIS PAGE Lenten Lotto 3.00 Teaching the Parables of Jesus 6.00 My Lenten Journey 7.00 The Icon Book (Student) 8.00 Divine Liturgy Flip Chart 15.00 The Divine Liturgy for Children ~ Set of Two Books 10.00 The Divine Liturgy for Children ~ Text Book 7.00 The Divine Liturgy for Children ~ Activity Book 7.00 Birth of Jesus (Picto-graph) 11.00 Come Bless the Lord Icon Packet (Teacher) 26.00 Byzantine Coloring Books: *Volume 1 – Sunday Gospels 5.00 *Volume 2 – Liturgical 5.00 *Volume 3 – Feast Days 5.00 *Volume 4 – Parables 5.00 “Crayon” Icon Coloring Books: * The Miracles 5.00 * Special Edition 5.00 * The Old Testament 5.00 * Journey to Pascha 5.00 * The Nativity 5.00 Scope and Sequence Chart 2.00 Total Parish Education 6.00 Build Your Own Church (Exterior) 9.00 Build Your Own Iconostasis and Altar 9.00 Build Your Own Bishop, Priest and Deacon 9.00 Orthodox Feasts of Jesus Christ and the Virgin Mary (Wybrew) 15.00 The Parables (Archbishop Dmitri) 15.00 Iconostasis (Pavel Florensky) 16.00 Bible for Today’s Family 10.95 The Children of Promise (Western Rite Catechism Book) 9.95 Praise the Lord: A Christmas Workbook 3.00 The Lenten Workbook 3.00 Biblical and Liturgical Charts (Student) 3.00

SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIALS FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL What’s Love Got to Do With It? Everything 7.00 To Teach All Nations 7.00 What Would You Do? Ethics Unit of 14 Lessons 7.00 The Earth is the Lord’s 7.00 God is Calling You 7.00 The First 800 Years 7.00 My Body, My Spirit 7.00 The Work of Salvation 7.00 SUB-TOTAL B

30 The Word

JUNE 2009 ORDER FORM JUNE 2010 TITLE PRICE QUANTITY TOTAL COST FOR OFFICE USE SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIALS FOR HIGH SCHOOL Getting Along With Parents $ 7.00 International Orthodoxy 7.00 What’s Love Got to Do With It? Everything 7.00 God is Calling You 7.00 The Earth is the Lord’s 7.00 Reaching Out: Our Call to Minister 7.00 MATERIALS FOR YOUTH WORK Lifestyle Discipleship 12.00 Holy Cross Society 5.00 Reruns, Reruns 6.00 Second Helpings 1 5.00 Second Helpings 2 5.00 Retreat & Study Guide 6.00 Focus on You (6 Programs, 30 Sessions) 40.00 Film and Values (Supplemental program to Focus on You) 10.00 Him Again (Supplemental program to Focus on You) 12.00 Youth Dynamics Cassette Leadership Training 25.00 Sourcebook for Youth Work 7.00 Challenge Questions on Orthodoxy A to Z for Students 9.95 Sacred Symbols that Speak: A Study of the Major Symbols of the Orthodox Church ~ Volume 1 14.95 ~ Volume 2 14.95 The Story of Icons (Hallick) 14.95 Bible for Little Hearts 9.99 Child’s Garden of Bible Stories (Groll) 13.95 My Bible Story Book (Fletcher) 10.99 One Hundred Bible Stories (Hardcover) 12.99 ADULT STUDY TEXTS Second Time Around 6.00 The Doctrine of Sanctification 8.00 Christian Community 4.00 Liturgy and Life (Schmemann) 7.00 Inner Way (Allen) 14.95 Pillars of the Church 6.00 New Apostles of Christ 6.00 MATERIALS FOR TEACHERS AND LIBRARIANS Teaching Dynamics Cassette Teacher Training 25.00 Teaching Dynamics Workbook 2.00 Playing it up for Christmas (6 Christmas Plays) 9.00 Children’s Literature 6.00 Foundations for Christian Education 12.95 Foundations for Christian Education (Cassettes) 7.00 PLEASE DO NOT TEAR OFF THIS PAGE Reading and Parish Library Guide 3.50 Intentional Parenting (Cassettes ~ By Dalack) 24.95 The Growing Child in the Christian Home (Cassette) 7.00 YOUNG CHILDREN’S BOOKS Christina Goes to Church 8.50 You Are Special: An Alphabet Book for Children 8.50 My Orthodox Counting Book 8.50 Christina Learns the Sacraments 10.00 Byzantine Coloring Books: * Volume 1 – Sunday Gospels 5.00 * Volume 2 – Liturgical 5.00 * Volume 3 – Feast Days 5.00 * Volume 4 – Parables 5.00 “Crayon” Icon Coloring Books: * The Miracles 5.00 * Special Edition 5.00 * The Old Testament 5.00 * Journey to Pascha 5.00 * The Nativity 5.00 The Book of Jonah 18.00 Celebrate the Earth, Psalm 104 18.00 North Star, St. Herman of Alaska 18.00 The Praises: Psalm 148 18.00 Prepare O Bethlehem, The Feast of the Nativity 18.00

SUB-TOTAL C

The Word 31

JUNE 2009 ORDER FORM JUNE 2010 TITLE PRICE QUANTITY TOTAL COST FOR OFFICE USE YOUNG CHILDREN’S BOOKS We Pray to God – A Prayer Book for Children $ 2.00 Bible for Kids 11.95 Children’s Bible in 365 Stories 19.99 Read and Learn Bible 15.95 A Book About Jesus 8.95 FAMILY ITEMS How About 6.00 Bible for Today’s Family 10.95 The Biggest Birthday Party (Family Advent) 6.00 Praise the Lord (Family Advent Workbook) 3.00 The Mystery of Love (Cardinal Basil Hume) 13.95 Preserve Them, O Lord – John Mack 14.95 801 Questions Kids Ask About God with Answers from the Bible 12.99 The Divine Liturgy – A Text for Students 2.95 Making God Real in the Orthodox Christian Home 15.95 The Great Bible Discovery: Discovering the Baby King (VHS) 12.99 The Savior is Born (VHS) 12.99 Contemplating Icons (VHS) 19.99 The Bread of Life: Your Guide to Making Holy Bread (DVD) 15.00 The Growing Child in the Christian Home (Cassettes ~ Boojamra) 7.00 Orthodox Feasts of Jesus Christ and the Virgin Mary (Wybrew) 15.00 Teaching Pictures (1 Package, 4 Sets) 35.00 Encyclopedia of Major Saints and Fathers of the Orthodox Church (Eleftheriou) *Volume 1 14.95

*Volume 2 14.95 PLEASE DO NOT TEAR OFF THIS PAGE Symbols of Church Seasons and Days - John Bradner 7.95 Mom’s Devotional Bible 24.95 Our Church and Our Children (Koulomzin) 16.00 CATECHISM MATERIALS Faith and Science (George Koulomzin) 5.95 The Faith – Understanding Orthodox Christianity: 22.95 An Orthodox Catechism (Carlton) The Way – What Every Protestant Should Know About the 22.95 Orthodox Faith (Carlton) The Truth – What Every Roman Catholic Should Know About the 22.95 Orthodox Church (Carlton) The Life – The Orthodox Doctrine of Salvation, An Orthodox 22.95 Catechism (Carlton) In Peace, Let Us Pray to the Lord. An Orthodox Interpretation of 22.95 the Gifts of the Spirit (Trader) Homeland of Your Heart’s Desire – The Orthodox Teachings on 9.95 How to be Saved (Carlton) Orthodox Christians in America (Erickson) 28.00 The Treasured Traditions and Customs of the Orthodox 14.95 Churches (Hallick) The Orthodox Faith (Hopko): * Volume 1 – Doctrine 9.00 * Volume 2 – Worship 9.00 * Volume 3 – Bible and Church History 9.00 * Volume 4 – Spirituality 9.00 * Complete Set (Volumes 1-4) 33.00 Baptism (Lazor) 3.00 The Sacrament of Holy Matrimony (Meyendorff) 2.00 Holy Wednesday & Holy Thursday (VHS Tape) 29.95 Great Friday & Resurrection (VHS Tape) 29.95 ** Set of Both VHS Tapes 50.00 Holy Matrimony (VHS Tape) 29.95 Baptism & Chrismation (VHS Tape) 29.95 An Orthodox Catechism of the Antiochian Archdiocese 4.00 A Way of Life (Family Centered Activities) 16.00 Studies in the Greek Church (Metropolitan Antony Bashir) 7.00 Renovation of the Heart (Dallas Willard) 24.99 The Gospel for Real Life (Jerry Bridges) 19.00 The Pursuit of Holiness (Jerry Bridges) 11.00 The Pursuit of Holiness ~ Bible Study 6.00 The Orthodox Companion (Abramtsov) 9.00 Meeting the Orthodox (Hopko) 2.00

SUB-TOTAL D

32 The Word

JUNE 2009 ORDER FORM JUNE 2010 TITLE PRICE QUANTITY TOTAL COST FOR OFFICE USE CATECHISM MATERIALS Orthodox Catholic Instruction Books: * Book 1: Beginners’ Course $ 4.00 * Book 2: Primary Course 4.00 * Book 3: Junior Course 4.00 * Book 4: Intermediate Course 4.00 * Set of 4 Books 12.00 Orthodox Christian Catechism 12.00 The Orthodox Church (Ware) 16.00 The Orthodox Way (Ware) 15.00 Orthodox Study Bible – The New Testament & : * Hardbound 30.95 * Softbound 24.95 * Bonded Leather Edition 39.95 * Genuine Leather Edition 50.95 * Thumb-indexing per Bible, add extra 6.00 Orthodox Study Bible – Old and New Testaments: * Hardbound 49.95 * Leather Bound – Regular 70.00 * Leather Bound – Elegant 100.00 The Third Millennium Bible 36.00 Coming Home (Gillquist) 8.95 Becoming Orthodox (Gillquist) 14.95 Welcome Home, A Journey to Antioch (DVD) 13.95 Anglican/Orthodox Pilgrimage (Billerbeck) 4.50 One Lord, One Faith (Bakoyannis) 9.00 Suffering & Salvation (Bakoyannis) 6.00 Introducing the Orthodox Church (Coniaris) 16.95 Intentional Parenting (Cassettes—Dalack) 24.95

GENERAL SERVICE BOOKS The Divine & Holy Gospel Book 100.00 The Liturgikon: Book of Divine Services for the Priest & Deacon 50.00 Service Book of the Archdiocese 13.00 Divine Prayers and Services (Nassar) 30.00 Service Book of the Orthodox Church (Hapgood) 25.00 Western Rite Service Book 25.00 The Divine Liturgy for Clergy and 10.00 The Funeral Service Book—Winfrey 9.00 The Pocket Prayer Book—Paperback 4.00 The Pocket Prayer Book—Red Vinyl ~ or ~ Black Vinyl 5.00 Antiochian Village Camp Music Service Book 12.00

PLEASE DO NOT TEAR OFF THIS PAGE Psalm Verses of the Orthodox Church 20.00 Old & New Testament—Today’s English Version (TEV) 15.00

SPECIAL SERVICE BOOKS Evening Divine —Phase I (10 Volumes) 35.00 Evening Divine Liturgies—Phase II (12 Volumes) 40.00 Individual Copies for Christmas 4.00 Individual Copies for 4.00 The Office of the Typika 4.00 My Daily Orthodox Prayer Book 8.95 Our Father Among the Saints, Raphael—Hardcover 15.00 Our Father Among the Saints, Raphael—Softbound 12.00 Supplication Service to Our Father Among the Saints Raphael 5.00 The Complete Service of St. Raphael—Audio CD 15.00 Service of Chrismation of Converts into the Orthodox Faith 2.50

LENTEN SERVICE BOOKS The Service of Holy Unction 4.00 The Little Compline & Akathist Hymn 4.00 9TH Hour Typika and the Presanctified Liturgy—Music Book 12.00 Now the Powers of Heaven—CD of the Presanctified Liturgy 18.00 The Presanctified Liturgy of St. Gregory—Textbook Only 7.00 Liturgy of St. Basil the Great—Pastor’s Text 4.00 Liturgy of St. Basil the Great—Layman’s Text 3.00 Services of Great & and Pascha—Winfrey 25.00

SUB-TOTAL E

The Word 33

JUNE 2009 ORDER FORM JUNE 2010 TITLE PRICE QUANTITY TOTAL COST FOR OFFICE USE BILINGUAL SERVICE BOOKS (ENGLISH / ARABIC) The Divine Liturgy for the Pews – Rahal $10.00 The Little Compline with the Akathist Hymn – Rahal 9.00 The Great Compline Service – Rahal 9.00 The Funeral Service for Lay People – Rahal 9.00 The Funeral Service for a Bishop or Priest – Rahal 9.00 Sacrament of Holy Baptism – Romley 7.00 Sacrament of Holy Matrimony – Romley 7.00 New International Version: New Testament – English/Arabic 10.00 New International Version: Bible / Hardcover – English/Arabic 25.00 ARABIC SERVICE BOOKS The Arabic Service Book (Kassab) 50.00 The Small Arabic Service Book: Beirut Archdiocese 15.00 The Divine Liturgy in Arabic (Black Vinyl) 12.00 The Divine Liturgy in Arabic for Deacons & Priests (Hardcover) 20.00 The Great Euchologion (Hawaweeny—Arabic) 20.00 The Small Euchologion with the Service of Holy Unction 15.00 The Divine and Holy Gospel Book (Arabic—For Altar Use) 100.00 Services of Holy Week & Pascha (Beirut Archdiocese—Arabic) 25.00 The Gospels and Epistles—Arabic Orthodox 15.00 The Service of Holy and Great Pascha (Arabic) 5.00 The Little Compline & Akathist Hymn (Arabic) 4.00 The Life Application Bible (Hardcover—Arabic Study Bible) 25.00 NIV Old & New Testament (Arabic Bible) 15.00

MUSIC BOOKS: PLEASE DO NOT TEAR OFF THIS PAGE BYZANTINE MUSIC PROJECTS (BY BASIL KAZAN) Byzantine Project # 1: VESPERS 25.00 Byzantine Project # 2: MATINS 30.00 Byzantine Project # 3: HOLY WEEK (2 Volumes) 45.00 Byzantine Project # 4: PENTECOSTARION (3 Volumes) 60.00 Byzantine Project # 5: TRIODION (2 Volumes) 45.00

DIVINE LITURGY MUSIC BOOKS/SHEETS The Divine Liturgy for Clergy and Laity 10.00 Tchaikovsky Divine Liturgy (Meena) 5.00 Three Divine Liturgies (Hilko) 5.00 Hymns of Praise: Troparia & Kontakia (Meena) 5.00 Divine Liturgy (Abboud) 2.00

OTHER MUSIC BOOKS Hymns from the Festal Menaion, Karam-George 5.00 Orthodox Hymns in English 5.00 Great Friday Service of Lamentations (George) 5.00 The Resurrection Service (George) 5.00 The Sacrament of Holy Matrimony (Meena) 3.00 Vespers (Abboud) 3.00

BOOKS AND PAMPHLETS The Date of (Abboud) 1.00 A Brief History of the Patriarchate of Antioch 1.00 Guide to Monasteries of the Patriarchate of Antioch 1.00 A History of the Orthodox Church in America, 1917-1934 12.95 History & Rituals of the Order of St. Ignatius of Antioch 15.00 Dying in the Land of Promise (Donald Wagner) 16.95 Orthodox Lent, Holy Week & Easter (Hugh Wybrew) 12.00 Jerusalem Easy Walks (Aviva Baram) 22.95 The Priest’s Guide: Constitutions & Bylaws 6.00 Altar Boys’ Guide in Serving the Divine Liturgy 5.00 A Beginner’s Guide to Prayer (Keiser) 10.95 Beginning to Pray (Anthony Bloom) 9.95 The Art of Prayer (Arabic—Adnan Tarabulsi) 15.00 On Prayer (Archimandrite Sophrony) 16.00 If We Confess Our Sins (Hopko) 4.00 Confession – Met. Anthony Khrapovitsky 9.95

SUB-TOTAL F

34 The Word

JUNE 2009 ORDER FORM JUNE 2010 TITLE PRICE QUANTITY TOTAL COST FOR OFFICE USE BOOKS AND PAMPHLETS Partakers of Divine Nature (Archimandrite Stavropoulos) $ 12.95 Let Us Commit Ourselves (Coniaris) 9.95 Liturgy and Life (Schmemann) 7.00 Of Water and the Spirit (Schmemann) 15.00 Understanding the Orthodox Liturgy (Najim) 14.00 Harvest of Antioch—Lives of Antiochian Saints 4.00 ANTIOCH: Incarnational Theology & Ministry (Allen/Najim) 12.00 St. John Chrysostom—On the Priesthood 15.00 St. John Chrysostom—On Wealth & Poverty 15.00 St. John Chrysostom—On Marriage & Family Life 13.00 St. John of Damascus—On the Divine Images 14.95 The Apostolic Fathers (Sparks) 14.95 Poets & Hymnographers of the Church 6.00 We Praise God (Tarasar) 2.00 Out of the Depths (Saliba/Allen) 10.95 Mystery of the Incarnation (Cardinal B. Hume) 13.95 Mystery of the Cross (Cardinal B. Hume) 12.95 Mystery of Fidelity (Allen) 6.95 Orthodox Synthesis (Allen) 16.00 The Church & Social Reform (Boojamra) 20.00 A Light from the East (Michael O’Carroll) 16.00 The Faith We Hold (Archbishop PAUL, Finland) 11.00 Feed My Sheep (Metropolitan PHILIP Saliba) 12.00 Inner Way (Allen) 14.95 The New Oxford Annotated RSV Bible with the Apocrypha 39.99 Metropolitan PHILIP: His Life & His Dreams (Softbound) 5.00 Metropolitan PHILIP: His Life & His Dreams (Hardbound) 10.00 Metropolitan PHILIP: And He Leads Them (Softbound) 20.00 Metropolitan PHILIP: Ordained for Men—40TH Anniversary Book 27.00 The First 100 Years—A Centennial Anthology 20.00 The Centennial Jewelry Box (1895-1995 AOCA) 25.00 Brotherhood of the Holy Sepulchre (Hawaweeny ~ Arabic) 6.95 Brotherhood of the Holy Sepulchre (Najim ~ English) 6.95 Our Father Among the Saints, Raphael (Softbound) 12.00 Our Father Among the Saints, Raphael (Hardbound) 15.00 The Ministry of the Church (Allen) 14.95 Twenty Parables of Our Lord 4.00 The Parables (Archbishop Dmitri) 15.00 The Miracles of Christ (Archbishop Dmitri) 16.00 Jesus, Politics and the Church (Tony Nassif) 13.00 Christmas Poems (John Hollander) 13.95 Emigration from Syria and Lebanon (Najib Saliba) 12.00 PLEASE DO NOT TEAR OFF THIS PAGE A New Era Begins: Proceedings of the 1994 SCOBA Meeting 7.95 PERIODICALS, CASSETTES, CD’s, & ICONS The Word Magazine (USA & Canada ~ Annually) 20.00 The Word Magazine (Overseas ~ Annually) 26.00 The Word Magazine (Individual Copies) 3.00 Joy of the Soul (Metropolitan PHILIP) Audio CD 10.00 Joy of the Soul (Metropolitan PHILIP) Audio Cassette 5.00 Bless the Lord O My Soul (English-2 Cassettes-Bitar) 18.00 The Eight Byzantine Tones: Simplified (Bitar ~ CD) 15.00 God is With Us (English-Cassette-Bitar) 10.00 Orthodox Byzantine Hymns (Arabic-Cassette-Bitar) 10.00 Divine Liturgy in Arabic (Bitar ~ CD) 15.00 Divine Liturgy in Arabic (Bitar ~ Cassette) 10.00 Christ is Born: Music for the Nativity of Christ (Cassette) 12.00 The Complete Service of St. Raphael – Audio CD 15.00 Now the Powers of Heaven—Presanctified Liturgy CD 18.00 Antiochian Village CD 10.00 Antiochian Village Cassette 10.00 It is Truly Meet: Byzantine Chant: Arabic & English CD 15.00 Chants from Balamand—Audio CD 17.00 Orthodox Male Choir of Beirut: Byzantine Chants in Arabic CD 15.00 Orthodox Male Choir of Beirut: Paschal Hymns in Arabic CD 15.00 First Fruits: Boston Byzantine Choir—English Audio CD 16.00 Thy Passion: Boston Byzantine Choir—English Audio CD 16.00 Thy Resurrection: Boston Byzantine Choir—English Audio CD 16.00 Mystical Supper: Boston Byzantine Choir—English Audio CD 16.00 SUB-TOTAL G

The Word 35

JUNE 2009 ORDER FORM JUNE 2010 TITLE PRICE QUANTITY TOTAL COST FOR OFFICE USE PERIODICALS & AUDIO/VISUAL MATERIALS ICON: Synaxis of the Great Saints of Antioch (11.5” x 15.5”) 25.00 ICON: Life of Saint Nicholas, Bishop of Myra (7” x 9.75”) 15.00 ICON: Saint Raphael Bishop of Brooklyn/Bust—Small (4” x 6”) 8.00 ICON: Saint Raphael Bishop of Brooklyn/Bust—Large (8” x 12”) 20.00 ICON: Saint Raphael of Brooklyn/Standing—Small (4” x 5.25”) 7.00 ICON: Saint Raphael of Brooklyn/Standing—Large (8.75”x11.75”) 18.00 ICON: Saint Romanos the Melodist (Icon Card: 6” x 7”) 1.50 Intentional Parenting (Dalack Lectures / 5 Cassettes) 24.95 Divine Liturgy Video (Holy Trinity Cathedral, NY) 29.95 Centennial Musical Video (1895-1995 AOCA ~ VHS Tape) 30.00 The Great Bible Discovery: Discovering the Baby King (VHS) 12.99 The Savior is Born (VHS Tape) 12.99 Contemplating Icons (VHS Tape) 19.99 Holy Matrimony (VHS Tape) 29.95 Baptism & Chrismation (VHS Tape) 29.95 Holy Wednesday & Holy Thursday (VHS Tape) 29.95 Great Friday & Resurrection Service (VHS Tape) 29.95 *** Both Holy Week VHS Tapes 50.00 The Ancient Church—DVD or VHS Tape 15.00 The Bread of Life: Your Guide to Making Holy Bread (DVD) 15.00

SUB-TOTAL H

INSTRUCTIONS & TERMS PLEASE DO NOT TEAR OFF THIS PAGE

1. Payment MUST accompany all orders—Sorry, no COD’s, Billings, or Credit Cards. 2. Make your check or money order payable to the Antiochian Archdiocese, in US funds. 3. Use this form by completing the first two columns. Keep a copy for your own records. 4. Please see guidelines below for Shipping & Handling charges. 5. For questions or information, please contact our office at 201-871-1355.

§ Payment Information and Shipping & Handling within the U.S. Total of Order $ Shipping & Handling: Add 12% $ Please add $3.00 if your total order is under $25 $ TOTAL AMOUNT ENCLOSED $ §Due to unpredictable Air Mail postage rates to Canada and Overseas, please contact us prior to placing your Purchase Order, either by fax or telephone. Thank you!

SHIPPING INFORMATION

Your Name:

Your Address:

Send all orders to: Antiochian Archdiocese - Publications Department P.O. Box 5238 358 Mountain Road, Englewood, NJ 07631-5238

36 The Word (Continued from page 28) COMMUNITIES IN ACTION professional teachers. In a very out the Antiochian Archdiocese An expert and known author- short time, my father mastered – and beyond. This love and re- ity on the divine services of the the English language, and my spect was reciprocated. church, Father Nifon frequent- parents quietly assimilated into An esteemed and well-re- ly received calls from clergy the church community and the garded resident of the town of throughout America and Cana- American way of life. Norwood, my father served as da for advice and clarification. Fr. Nifon had a dignified pres- Chaplain of the Norwood area He brought this knowledge to ence, and his demeanor was Chamber of Commerce, par- Holy Cross seminary as well. that of a traditional priest or, ticipated as a member of the In 1980 Metropolitan PHIL- as some say, an “old-fashioned” Norwood Clergy Association, IP assigned Father Nifon the priest. He brought with him and was a frequent speaker at responsibility of teaching Ara- and kept alive the traditions, various meetings and local func- bic language, Arabic chanting customs and practices of our tions in Norwood and the sur- and liturgical Byzantine music ancient faith and instilled in his rounding area. to the seminarians at the Holy parishioners a love and respect On one occasion, Father Ni- Cross Greek Orthodox School of their heritage. fon was invited to a local Roman of Theology in Brookline, Mas- Gifted with a beautiful and to speak about sachusetts, where he contin- melodious voice, my father’s the Orthodox faith. He was ued until his death. He shared singing resonated throughout asked, “What does an Ortho- with his students and the staff the church, bringing richness dox priest have that a Roman a warm rapport that developed and vitality to the services. In- Catholic priest does not?” My into close friendships. deed, some came to church just father immediately replied with My mother and I have re- to hear his voice, and listeners a smile: “My beautiful wife.” ceived heartwarming notes from have commented that his sing- Throughout his 42 years at his students telling us of their ing and chanting, whether in St. George Norwood, Father affection for my father. They Arabic or English, was spiritu- Nifon served his beloved pa- related how much they learned ally uplifting and made them rishioners with and from him, noting how he influ- feel closer to God. Hearing this, devotion and played an integral enced and shaped their lives I would often hear my father role for so many in establishing in a positive way. A common humbly remark, “When I know and strengthening the Orthodox theme running through them is people enjoy my chanting, it faith. He identified himself with that anyone can teach rubrics, makes me feel good.” the lives of his parishioners and but true learning comes from In March of 1972, Metropoli- shared with generations of fami- example. Their example was tan PHILIP elevated Fr. Nifon lies their joys and sorrows, ac- Father Nifon, a model priest of to the rank of Archpriest. While complishments and disappoint- Christian living and a true ser- ministering to his parish, my ments. vant of God. father was the Spiritual Advisor An intelligent man and an Not all this teaching was serious. to the New England Antiochian avid , my father’s office My father had a keen sense Orthodox Christian Women was overflowing with books and of humor that showed through of North America (AOCWNA) magazines – religious or other- frequently during his from 1974 to 1984, Dean of the wise. His knowledge of Ortho- and speeches, in the classroom clergy of the New England re- dox history, customs and liturgi- (so I’m told by his bemused stu- gion from 1986 until 1995, and cal rubrics was extensive. dents), and at the dinner table, for several years Spiritual Advi- For more than ten years, he where he would command our at- sor of the New England Region prepared the Liturgical Guide tention and regale us with humor- SOYO. for Priests, Chanters, and ous stories of the old country. Father Nifon became a famil- , published each year by May 1995 brought retirement, iar and beloved figure to the the Archdiocese Department of tributes and accolades, as well clergy, the people within the Liturgics and Translations, of as the Antonian Gold Medal of New England region, through- which he was a member. Merit bestowed upon my father

The Word 37 COMMUNITIES IN ACTION

by Metropolitan PHILIP. Not one The passing of this priest’s tine Nasr of Saint Elijah in Okla- to sit idly by, Father Nifon re- priest, husband, father, grand- homa City became aware that mained active. As Pastor Emeri- father, mentor and friend, has there were a number of Saint tus at St. George Norwood, he left a tremendous void in all our Elijah parishioners living in the was in great demand through- lives. Norman area, located about 35 out the region for his participa- The house is quiet and empty miles south of Saint Elijah. A tion at weddings, and without him. We miss my fa- movement was born to bring funerals, and he often substi- ther’s endless love and concern Holy Orthodoxy to Norman. Ini- tuted for clergy who were away for us, his devotion, and words tially a small group was formed from their parishes. In 1996 he of wisdom. Yet we take great and began taking the first steps was asked by the Church of St. comfort in knowing he is with toward becoming a mission. For John of Damascus in Dedham, the Lord whom he served so some time the dedicated group Massachusetts, to serve as their well for so long. met in various places in Nor- full-time chanter, and he did so Memory Eternal, Father Nifon. man. Fr. Nifon at until his passing. Enjoying his In January of 2001 his Grace, by Mona Abraham DiSciullo Pascha time there tremendously, he em- Bishop ANTOUN, told the com- braced, as he did for so many munity that they were granted years his Norwood congrega- Holy Ascension Church the status of Mission Station. tion, cherished friendships and of Norman, OK, Breaks In the same year the commu- inspired devotion among St. Ground for New Temple nity leased the present loca- John’s people. tion at 230 E. Main. With the On Sunday, January 25, 2009, As busy as he was, however, blessing of his Grace, Bishop Holy Ascension Church of Nor- my father always found time to BASIL, the group began having man, Oklahoma, held a Ground- care for his abundant garden. regular services, with Saturday Breaking Ceremony for the con- The early morning sun would Great Vespers served by either struction of its new Temple. His greet him as he sat in the back- Fr. Constantine or Fr. Basil Mc- Grace, Bishop BASIL, conduct- yard sipping a cup of hot coffee, Murray of St. Elijah. A Typica ed the Service of the Erecting of planning his work for the day. service was held three Sundays the Cross, which was attended His handiwork of neat and pre- each month, and on the fourth by all of the Orthodox priests cisely measured rows of flour- Sunday members of the group in the area. The members of ishing plants provided us with would travel to St. Elijah for Di- Holy Ascension had been work- fresh and delicious vegetables vine Liturgy. In December 2001 ing toward this day for several and fruits. The quiet garden was Father Justin McFeeters made years. In 1998, Father Constan- a comfort to my Baba and it was his first visit to Norman, and here that he communed with God through nature. Father Nifon’s faith and rev- erence for God were clearly evident. Emanating from him was a quiet strength derived, no doubt, from his belief in the Lord’s love and the promise of eternal life. This strength was tested when my father was faced with the tragic and untimely death of my brother, his only son. His conviction never wavered. He often said, “Death is a part of life, and we must accept it.”

38 The Word COMMUNITIES IN ACTION by April 2002 he began serving Pennsylvania, has been in pris- Chaplain Patrick Tutella, Di- the congregation as priest-in- on ministry for thirty years. For rector charge. On the following Feast the past twelve years he has Kory Warr, Chairman of the Ascension, Sayidna BA- been the Supervisory Chaplain Chris Finger, Secretary SIL visited, and in honor of that for the Berks County Prison in Robert Zunich, Treasurer great feast proposed that the Leesport, Pennsylvania. Eric Grant, Esq., Counsel name of the mission become At their Board meeting in Holy Ascension. Granting our Wichita, Kansas, on February 6 “Remember those who are in petition, his Eminence Metro- and 7, Chaplain Tutella and the prison, as though you were in politan PHILIP blessed our mis- Directors charted a strategic prison with them; those who sion with that holy name. Since plan for the next twelve months suffer evil, as though you your- that time God has blessed the that includes the following key selves were suffering” (Hebrews evangelistic outreach of Holy components: 1) development of 13:3). Ascension with a number of a training program for parishes conversions to Orthodox Chris- that would like to be involved in God Grant Her Many Years! tianity. The community main- prison ministry; 2) the expan- Church of St. John of tains a vibrant life of worship, sion of OCPM’s correspondence ­Damascus (Dedham, ­MA) education, community service ministry; and 3) a convocation Honors Oldest Parishioner and mission outreach. Holy for Orthodox prison workers For the better part of the 20th Ascension has grown to serve and volunteers to be held in the century and up until today Rose Orthodox Christians in the area summer of 2009. Also present Haddad has been known to and supports an active Ortho- at the Board meeting was His parishioners of the Church of dox Christian Fellowship (OCF) Grace, Bishop MARK of the Dio- St. John of Damascus as “Aunt for University of Oklahoma stu- cese of Toledo and the Midwest, Rose,” “Rosa,” “Taita Rose,” dents. With a spirit of devotion who provided his spiritual guid- “Mom,” and even “Ramza” (her to Christ and His Church, the ance and support. birth name). Her dedication and mission was able to purchase OCPM brings the light of love for her Church, her family a beautiful tract of land and is Christ to those who are in prison and her Arabic heritage shines well on the way to constructing in North America by providing forth in every aspect of her a Temple to the glory of God, encouragement, material sup- life. As she celebrates her 109th and a permanent home for local port, transition and reintegra- birthday in April we are grateful Orthodox Christians. tion services, Christian educa- for the blessing of her life. Not tion, spiritual guidance, and the only is she the oldest parishio- Orthodox Christian Prison sacramental life of the Church ner of St. John’s, she is perhaps Ministry Announces New to prisoners and their families. the oldest parishioner of our en- Executive Director OCPM is a tax-exempt 501(c) tire Antiochian Orthodox Chris- (3), not-for-profit organization Orthodox Christian Prison tian Archdiocese. incorporated in the state of Cal- Ministry (OCPM), the official When our parish celebrated ifornia. Donations to this vital prison ministry of the Stand- its Centennial Year in October ministry may be sent to P.O. Box ing Conference of the Canoni- 2007, Metropolitan PHILIP pre- 468, Fleetwood, PA, 19522- cal Orthodox Bishops in the sented her with an icon and spe- 0468, and are tax-deductible. Americas (SCOBA), announces cial blessing. On behalf of the For more information, con- the appointment by the Board parish her grandchildren also tact [email protected] of Directors of its first full-time presented her with a bouquet Under the of His Executive Director, Chaplain of roses. She was surrounded Grace, the Right Reverend Bish- Patrick Tutella. Chaplain Tutel- by her children, grandchildren op BASIL of Wichita and Mid- la, a member of the St. Matthew and great-grandchildren during America, Antiochian Orthodox parish of the Greek Orthodox the Sunday Luncheon presenta- Christian Archdiocese of North Archdiocese (GOA) in Blandon, tion. Her effervescent smile and America

The Word 39 her driver’s license and worked five centenarians in Massachu- for many years in the surgery setts that year. She received unit at Leonard Morse Hospi- congratulatory letters and hon- tal in her home town. Later she orary citations from then-Pres- worked at the Bancroft Compa- ident Clinton, Governor Celluc- ny of Framingham, Massachu- ci, Mayor Menino, and Senators setts. She continued to drive her Kennedy and Kerry. Her name own car until she was 96. is included on the American Im- During her life she has trav- migrant Wall of Honor at Ellis eled throughout much of the Island. U.S. and Europe, and has twice She has continued to main- traveled back to the , tain her independence with the visiting Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, love and support of her family, and Jerusalem. She even rode including seven children and camels in Egypt. While in the their spouses: George and the Middle East she enjoyed many late Rachel of Somerdale, New outdoor concerts and festivals, Jersey; Jamila and Dr. Elias and she still preserves much of Nawfel of Waterville, Maine; the same Arabic music and cul- Mitchell and Marion of Natick, ture in her home. Massachusetts; Alfred and Mar- Metropolitan the wave of her hand to the par- Rose was always eager to at- jorie of Arlington, Massachu- PHILIP and ish led the entire congregation tend the New England Region setts; and daughter-in law Ar- Rose Haddad to their feet to sing, “God Grant Conferences and the Antiochian lene of Natick, Massachusetts. You Many Years!” Orthodox Christian Archdiocese She has fond memories of her Rose has been an active and National Conventions through- late son Russell and daughters lifelong member of the Church out the country, supporting the and sons-in-law: Lillian and An- of St. John of Damascus and a Antiochian Orthodox Chris- toon J. Khouri and Gloria and dedicated member of the Virgin tian Woman of North America Fred Matook. She continues to Mary Society for most of her (AOCWNA) and representing enjoy being their beloved Taita life. She is well known for her her parish. Rose to her 21 grandchildren, delicious Syrian pastry, namora As a lifelong New England 34 great-grandchildren, and 2 and baraza, which were always native, Rose is just as content great-great grandchildren. sold out at our annual bazaar picking apples at a farm as she May we all continue, like her, even before she made them. She is taking a trip to the ocean for to value faith, family, love and has prepared traditional Arabic lobster, her favorite. She en- our heritage at the Church of St. dishes her whole life, and until joys talking with people of all John of Damascus in Dedham, recently was still making her ages about history, politics and Massachusetts. own leban (yogurt) and jibne sports, and especially enjoys (cheese). discussing the Arabic language. San Diego Pan-Orthodox She loves her Boston Red Sox Rose was born “Ramza Hom- Celebration of the Triumph sy” in Damascus, Syria, on April and was proud to vote at the of Orthodoxy 15, 1900. In the early 1900’s polls in the presidential election she came to the United States in 2008. On Sunday, March 8, 2009, as a young child with her family, On her 100th birthday in 2000, Eastern Orthodox Christians and later settled in Natick, Mas- Rose was honored at the John F. from a dozen parishes in San Di- sachusetts. She married the late Kennedy Library by Senator and ego and Riverside counties filled John Haddad and together they Mrs. Edward M. Kennedy and St. George Serbian Orthodox raised a family of seven chil- the Commonwealth of Massa- Church – one of San Diego’s dren on a farm on East Central chusetts’ Department of Health architectural and iconographic Street in Natick. At 65 she got and Human Services as one of jewels – to celebrate “The Tri-

40 The Word COMMUNITIES IN ACTION

The parishioners of St. Anthony, San Diego, celebrating “The Triumph of ­Orthodoxy” in a Vesper service umph of Orthodoxy” in a Vesper thodox music ministry here in exquisite mosaic iconography service. San Diego, and I’m very grateful that covers every inch of its “I’ve dreamed of this day to the clergy here for giving us walls, made for an experience for fifteen years!” exclaimed their enthusiastic blessing! We that Orthodox Christians here Fr. Jon Braun, Priest Emeritus have so much to gain from com- will be talking about for some of St. Anthony Antiochian par- ing together to share our knowl- time to come. Nina McDonald, ish in La Jolla. While the Or- edge and traditions! Not just the a recent convert to Orthodoxy, thodox parishes in San Diego musicians, but ALL of us,” Yova a journalist and a resident of have been celebrating this feast observed. Imperial Beach, California, was day together for many years, it The music chosen for the ser- overwhelmed by her first ex- has been sparsely attended in vice was a colorful tapestry of perience of the Sunday of Or- the past and this was the first the many cultures that brought thodoxy. “I could not take my time in several decades that a Eastern Orthodox Christianity eyes off the icons – the whole Pan-Orthodox choir sang the to this country in the 19th and inside of the church shimmered. responses for the city-wide Ves- 20th centuries. The responses It really seemed as if the walls per service. Valerie Yova, Music and hymns included four-part melted away and we were sur- Director of St. Anthony’s Antio- choral arrangements and two- rounded by angels and saints chian Orthodox Church, orga- part chant settings in English, – all of us – the whole church nized and conducted the chorus based on the musical traditions – worshipping together. And the of 40 singers from nine different of Greece, the Middle East, choir! They truly sounded an- parishes. Ms. Yova is a Founder Romania, Serbia, the Ukraine, gelic, so powerful and majestic, and former Artistic Director of Russia, Bulgaria, and the United yet still intimate and sweet.” the Orthodox Christian Chorale States. The congregation was For we who are “cradle Or- of Detroit, Past President of the invited and encouraged to join thodox” and those of us who Pan-Orthodox Society for the in singing the refrains of the are veterans of the Sunday of Advancement of Liturgical Mu- Psalm verses and many of the Orthodoxy services – the good, sic, and a graduate of the New other responses and hymns, and the mediocre and the chaotic – England Conservatory. “For a they did so with gusto! it is refreshing, heart-warming number of reasons, the timing The pleasing acoustics of St. and inspiring to hear this about seemed right to begin a Pan-Or- George church, along with the what we sometimes take for

The Word 41 COMMUNITIES IN ACTION

Right: granted. McDonald added, “This OCA Chancellor Arch- really brought the Orthodox ex- priest Alexander perience home for me; how Or- Garklavs (center) will deliver a public key- thodoxy ministers to our whole note address at 7:30 person – body, soul and spirit – p.m. on June 18th on one’s entire being is caught up the campus of St. in worship.” Vladimir’s Seminary. Fr. George Morelli, President This will open the of the Eastern Orthodox Cler- 2009 Summer Confer- ence, which has as gy Conference of San Diego, its theme “The Coun- enthusiastically supports Pan- cil and the Tomos: Orthodox cooperation, and the Twentieth-century clergy have initiated or blessed Landmarks Towards a a number of new projects in San Twenty-First-Century Diego this year. “The working Church.” [Photo cour- Summer Conference 2009 daughter church, the OCA, then together of this Pan-Orthodox tesy of OCA.org] to Focus on the Shaping of known as the “North American Christian Choir to bring about Orthodoxy in America Diocese.” As well, conference the beauty of the Sunday of Or- speakers will address the sig- thodoxy Vesper service is not Mr. Charles Ajalat, Chancel- nificance of the OCA’s presence only a reflection of the beauty lor of the Self-Ruled Antiochian in North America, and the paths that is God, but also of His Orthodox Christian Archdiocese and possibilities open to it. goodness and truthfulness as of North America (AOCANA), The conciliar nature of the well. This is a cry to all to ful- will be a principal speaker at Orthodox Church, expressed fill the priestly prayer of Jesus the 2009 summer conference so powerfully in the Russian that ‘they may be one, even as for clergy and laity to be held at word sobornost, was an impor- we are one’ (John 17:11).” St. Vladimir’s Seminary (SVS), tant theological theme at the Many of those who were pres- Yonkers, New York, June 18–20, All-Russian Council. The 2009 ent for the San Diego con-cele- 2009. The conference has as summer conference will re-ad- bration said that they would like its overall theme “The Coun- dress that theme, with the hope to come together more often as cil and the Tomos: Twentieth- of enriching current reflection an Orthodox community, and century Landmarks Towards a on church structure and admin- so the clergy and musicians in Twenty-First-Century Church,” istration, areas of special inter- San Diego are exploring ways and will focus on the forma- est to all Orthodox Christians in to make that happen in the near tion of the Orthodox Church in America. future. America (OCA) and its future. The V. Rev. Alexander Garklavs, Mr. Ajalat will be discussing the Chancellor of the OCA and SVS Fr. George Morelli ([email protected]) interface of the OCA with the alumnus (’82, ’93), will com- multi-jurisdictional Orthodox mence the summer conference Christian communities in the with a free public lecture at 7:30 United States and Canada, and p.m. on June 18, 2009. He will the common future of Orthodox speak about the pre-history of Christians in North America. the All-Russian Council, and es- Conference speakers will fo- pecially about related events in cus on two watersheds that have the North American Diocese dur- shaped the Orthodox Church in ing that period. At the close of America (OCA): the All-Russian the conference, Metropolitan Jo- Council (Sobor) of 1917–18, nah, primate of the OCA and SVS and the Tomos of alumnus (’85, ’88), will speak granted in 1970 by the Rus- about his vision for the OCA. sian Orthodox Church to its

42 The Word COMMUNITIES IN ACTION

A medallion of St. Vladimir, Equal-to-the Apostles

To register and view the no- dear-to-Christ children. During table speakers’ roster and the the brunch, the children recited schedule for the conference, the “Our Father” prayer and visit www.svots.edu, “Upcom- sang hymns for his Grace. They ing Events.” Registration for the also sang “You are my sunshine” conference closes June 1, 2009. to him. Questions about the summer Later that day, Great Vespers conference may be addressed to was served, followed by a ca- [email protected]. sual meal with his Grace. A Hierarchical Liturgy was Deborah Belonick, Advancement celebrated on Sunday morning Information Officer St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological at which time our parish priest, Seminary Fr. Peter Nugent, was elevated www.svots.edu to the dignity of Archpriest. On 914-961-8313 ext 363 behalf of the parish, his cross 914-961-4507 [email protected] was presented by our Parish Council president, Dr. Mike McSween, and the president of St. Basil Antiochian ­Orthodox the Ladies Guild, Dr. Georgette Church, Metairie, Louisiana Ioup. His Grace recalled Fr. Pe- St. Basil Antiochian Ortho- ter’s service to the community dox Church in Metairie, Louisi- and the work everyone had ac- ana, hosted His Grace, Bishop complished over the years. Fr. ­ANTOUN, during an episco- Peter offered his thanks to His pal visit, February 6–8, 2009. Eminence, his Grace and the On Friday evening, the Parish God-pleasing faithful of St. Ba- Council met with His Grace at a sil Church for their kindness. local seafood restaurant to dis- Following Fr. Peter’s elevation cuss the parish’s past activities to the archpriesthood, his Grace and future plans. inducted three people into The On Saturday morning, the la- Order of St. Ignatius. After Lit- dies of the parish sponsored a urgy, a catered luncheon con- brunch for his Grace and our cluded the occasion. May God

The Word 43 COMMUNITIES IN ACTION

grant many years to Fr. Peter and the God-loving faithful of our community.

“Mom’s Day Out” of St. ­Elijah, Oklahoma City, Opens Its Doors

On January 26, 2009, St. Eli- jah Orthodox Christian Church in Oklahoma City welcomed His Grace, Bishop BASIL, to the ribbon-cutting ceremony of its “Mom’s Day Out” (MDO) min- istry. It has taken a little over a year to develop this ministry, through the dedicated work of our MDO Board of Directors: Michelle Moujaes (Chair), An- pace. The program draws upon tivities designed to appeal spe- drea Baca, Karen Hanna, Dini the Montessori Method as well cifically to the interests and Homsey, Sherrie Massad, De- as a developmental approach to abilities of babies and toddlers nise Mettry, Katy Powers, Juman learning. Our goal is to provide a – while developmentally ap- Sweis and Sara Gae Waters. The quality education that will ready propriate language, social, and result is a program that strives our students for kindergarten practical-life activities are of- to provide the highest quality and beyond, in a program that fered to young children. Trust in Orthodox Christian educational emulates Christ’s love and the the children to explore, to teach experience for children, while hospitality that you can only themselves, and to initiate activ- partnering with parents to pro- find in the Orthodox Church. ity is essential to the classroom vide each child with the best “This has long been a dream, experience at St Elijah. The en- start possible. to have a ‘Mother’s Day Out.’ vironment is prepared for this Our program has welcomed Today is a historical day in the exploration, and children are 28 students so far in its inau- life of St. Elijah,” said Econo- encouraged to participate ac- gural year, both from St. Elijah mos Constantine Nasr, Senior tively in the learning process. parish and the local community. Priest of St. Elijah Church. One Children will be given ample The mission of this ministry is of the greatest strengths that St. time to explore and play in our “to provide a happy, safe, car- Elijah’s “Mom’s Day Out” offers new outdoor playground facility ing environment in which pre- to the community is a highly ed- and in our new state-of-the-art schoolers can learn and develop ucated staff, including Certified gymnasium. Orthodox Christian their skills, while encouraging Early Childhood teachers and teachings, values and principles the families of these children to long-time educators. Together are incorporated throughout the make spiritual growth and ac- with our Director, Leigh Baker, learning process at St. Elijah. tive church participation part of the teachers devote themselves The children will be introduced their daily lives.” to the safety and service of to prayer, stories from the Bible First and foremost a minis- God’s children, engaging them and Christian songs. try founded on Christ and the through an approach to learning As St. Elijah’s “Mom’s Day teachings of the Holy Orthodox that encompasses all aspects of Out” continues to flourish and Church, our program strives the child: mind, body and soul. grow, we look forward to serv- to meet each individual child The program provides cog- ing our community better “where they’re at” – encourag- nitive, motor and sensory ac- through accreditation, profes- ing them to grow at their own

44 The Word Philip Michael and son Luke holding Saint Luke Icon as they process

sional affiliations, and the con- tinued education and cultural competency for our staff. We pray God to continue to bless the efforts of Fr. Constan- tine and St. Elijah Church, and that this ministry and the fruits it bears may be found worthy in His sight.

Procession of the Holy Icons, St. George ­Cathedral, Charleston, WV

On Sunday, March 8th, 2009, children brought their Holy Icons from home to process around St. George Cathedral in Charleston, West Virginia. Joseph Michael ­holding Saint Joseph icon

Children processing around the Cathedral

The Word 45 COMMUNITIES IN ACTION

“We were all elated to see St. George, Houston, ­ such an impressive and enthusi- ­Celebrates 80th Anniversary astic turn out for this first-ever event in our Chicago area,” not- In November, 2008, St. George ed Mr. Nicholas Cavaligos, Pres- in Houston, Texas, was blessed ident of Orthodox Christians for with the visits of three bishops Life – Chicago. “This is a very – in one week! First, our own significant and timely issue in Bishop BASIL of Wichita and America today, and if we truly Mid-America joined us on the believe in what we confess, then first weekend of November for our first obligation is to offer it a two-fold celebration: the 80th up to God. And that’s what this anniversary of the founding of evening is about.” our church and the elevation of After the prayer service, the our beloved Fr. John Salem to St. George community hosted a the honor and dignity of Arch- fellowship for all those in atten- priest. Over 100 Faithful Attend dance, highlighted by a presen- Festivities began with our an- First Annual Pan-Orthodox tation from Ms. Nikolia Rallis, nual All Saints Party, October st Sanctity of Life Prayer co-founder of Orthodox Chris- 31 . The party’s focus is the ­Service and Presentation tian Youth for Life – Chicago, saints, with biblically themed, on the Orthodox Pro-Life move- carnival-style games, icon deco- Cicero, Illinois – The first an- ment. The presentation was an rations, and a costume contest. nual Pan-Orthodox Sanctity of overview of a presentation that The size of this year’s crowd may Life Prayer Service and Presen- Ms. Rallis has given 16 times to have been due to the appear- tation was attended by over one such varied audiences as Sunday ances by celebrities like Cleopa- hundred faithful from the Chi- school classes, Junior GOYAs, tra, St. Helen, our very own pa- cago area, including three hi- women’s Philoptochos groups tron St. George, and even Elvis, erarchs, twelve priests and two and attendees at the Greek Or- or, more likely, to the fact that deacons. The event was held on thodox Metropolis of Chicago there was a bishop in the house Sunday, January 25th, 2009, at Fanari Camp. who, along with Fr. Michael Ev- St. George Antiochian Orthodox “Both the presentation by Ms. ans of Atlanta and Fr. Gabriel Church and was organized by Rallis and the prayer service are Karam of Sugar Land, judged the Orthodox Christian Clergy an important witness to what the contest as superheroes, an- Association of Greater Chicago we believe,” observed Mr. Cava- gels, cheerleaders, and other (OCCA). ligos. “We look forward to next contestants paraded across the year’s event, God willing, being stage. This year’s winner was … an equally powerful – perhaps Elvis. (Only in the South!) even more powerful – witness.” The next morning, Bishop Contact: Fr. Panteleimon Da- BASIL celebrated liturgy for lianis the feast day of St. Raphael of Telephone: (708) 974-3400 Brooklyn, also offering a memo- Email: [email protected] rial in honor of an old friend, for- mer Antiochian Village founder and St. George pastor, Archi- mandrite John Namie. The ser- vice was followed by a delicious brunch prepared by our Ladies Altar Society. Later that after- noon there was a special choir/ chanter session with His Grace,

46 The Word COMMUNITIES IN ACTION during which he blessed and encouraged those called to this ministry. St. George choir direc- tor Dr. William Attra said, “His remarks were very profound, encouraging, informative, yet frightening, on account of his explanation of the awesome re- sponsibilities placed upon each of us as we answer the call to Christ’s service.” There was a full house that evening as visiting clergy (Fr. Michael Evans, Fr. Constantine Nasr, Fr. Michel Pavez, Mother Melania Salem, and Fr. Thomas Zain) and out-of-town well-wish- by Khouriya Valerie and their A short reception was hosted Front row, left to ers joined Bishop BASIL and the two beautiful children, Michael in the church hall by the Fel- right: Priest Michel faithful of St. George for Great (6) and Christina (4), as Bish- lowship of St. John the Divine. Pavez, Mother Mela- nia (Fr. John’s sis- op BASIL delivered a powerful Later that evening, over 600 Vespers. Some attendees also ter), Archpriest John broke bread with Sayidna, the message on the elevation of an people gathered at the Hilton Salem, Archpriest clergy and the St. George Parish archpriest, the struggles of the Post Oak Hotel Ballroom to cel- Thomas Zain, Arch- Council at Fish City Grill, where priesthood, and the cross that ebrate the momentous double priest Constantine the Anniversary Gala committee a priest’s family bears. In his occasion. The corridor leading Nasr. Back row, left to right: Deacon Joseph members presented co-chairs homily, Bishop BASIL said, “A to the ballroom was flanked on Carter, Priest Joseph Nada Farah and Bob Macey with man cannot be ordained a priest both sides with picture boards Huneycutt, Bishop appreciation gifts for their dedi- unless his wife first gives the illustrating our growth over the BASIL, Archpriest cation and hard work. blessing: she can even trump past 80 years, reflections of the Joseph Shahda, Ar- On Sunday, November 2nd, Fr. the Bishop’s blessing! And it’s abundant blessings of God upon chimandrite Michael John Salem was elevated to the meet and right that it be that our church. Evans. rank and dignity of Archpriest. way, because a man comes to In 1928, a small group of Nearly ten years earlier, in June be ordained a priest either celi- immigrants, mostly from the of 1998, “Jack” Salem had been bate, as in my case, or already Middle East, organized to raise ordained to the Diaconate by married. Fr. John’s first love money for an Orthodox Chris- Sayidna BASIL at St. Elijah in and the first thing for which the tian Church in Houston, Texas, Oklahoma City, about three church set him apart, was not in order to keep the faith of weeks after marrying Valerie the priesthood, but marriage; their fathers. Fund-raising for Homsey in the same church. and Valerie and those beautiful this great endeavor was taken On July 12th of the same year, children, Michael and Christina, on by the Ladies Altar Society Deacon John Salem was or- share the burden of Fr. John’s through their cooking and sell- dained to the Priesthood at his cross. Love them, be kind to ing of Middle-Eastern special- home parish of St. George in them, and pray for them – they ties. By 1936, the faithful of St. New Kensington, Pennsylvania, are the ones who allow Fr. John George were able to purchase by His Eminence Metropolitan to be what he is for you. I men- a building on the corner of PHILIP. He served as Associate tion his name in this parish and Chestnut and Harrison Streets Pastor of St. Nicholas Church in everybody’s face lights up! I on Houston’s north side. The San Francisco before coming to know how much you love him. Church was dedicated on May Houston in 2000. But it’s only because of Valerie 3, 1936. The seeds planted by The newly elevated Arch- and the children’s sacrifice that this dedicated group of faithful priest John was joined in honor you have him.” blossomed to the point where

The Word 47 COMMUNITIES IN ACTION

an expansion program was and laity of your congregation Podcasts of the homilies by Bishop needed. In September, 1954, be eternal. And by the interces- BASIL and Patriarch IGNATIUS property was purchased at our sions of the glorious Great Mar- are available on the Web site of the Orthodox Clergy Association current location in the City of tyr George the Trophy-bearer, of Southeast Texas: orthodox- West University Place. under whose patronage your houston.org. St. George Church has con- parish has flourished for eight tinually grown physically and decades, may you – their physi- Bishop ANTOUN Makes spiritually, with an influx of im- cal and spiritual descendants – Annual Visit to St. George, migration from the Holy Land, be granted many years!” Orlando the Middle East and other pre- The Sunday following our dominantly Orthodox countries, Anniversary weekend we were His Grace, Bishop ANTOUN as well as with many homegrown blessed with a surprise visit by arrived in Orlando on Friday, converts to this ancient faith. His Beatitude, IGNATIUS, Patri- February 27th to bless and vis- In 1983, when the Church was arch of Antioch and All the East. it the faithful of St. George’s. filled wall-to-wall once again, it Patriarch IGNATIUS was ac- Upon arrival, His Grace imme- was decided to begin mission companied by His Grace, Bish- diately asked Fr. John Hamatie, churches around Greater Hous- op LUKA (vicar bishop of the Pastor of St. George’s, to please ton, the first being St. Anthony Patriarch; Bishop of Saydnaya), take him to visit Archimandrite in Spring, Texas. St. George who was in town for a routine Paul Moses, who is very ill in a Church still grew and in 1992, doctor’s visit. His Beatitude, convalescent home in Orlando. the mission of St. Joseph was who was in Boston the week Upon arriving at the center, established to serve the faithful prior to celebrate the twentieth His Grace visited, prayed and on Houston’s west side. Finally, anniversary of the University of blessed Fr. Paul, who was most in 2001 the mission of the Forty Balamand and to join the com- happy to see Sayidna. Holy Martyrs of Sebaste was munity in the establishment of That evening, Sayidna was founded to serve the faithful the Metropolitan PHILIP Schol- hosted at a dinner in a won- of the Sugar Land area. In No- arship Fund for needy students, derful Italian restaurant, Café vember, 2006, former Episco- had just celebrated a Patriarchal Travestere, by the Parish Coun- pal priest Richard Petranek and Divine Liturgy that past Sunday cil of St. George’s. On Saturday, about sixty of his former parish- with Metropolitan PHILIP and Sayidna was the guest of honor ioners were received into Holy the other hierarchs, but our own at a special luncheon put on by Orthodoxy and founded St. Paul Bishop BASIL was absent since the Ladies Guild of the Church. Western Rite Mission. he was with us in Houston! His Grace heard from the ladies In his letter to St. George on On this surprise visit to St. about their work for the Church the occasion of our 80th Anni- George, Sayidna LUKA celebrat- as well as their support for the versary, Bishop BASIL noted, ed the Hierarchical Liturgy with projects and works of the Antio- “From very humble beginnings His Beatitude to the side, on the chian Orthodox Christian Wom- to your present magnificent throne. Both Bishops joined the an of North America (AOCWNA). church temple and parish facili- faithful in the church hall after During the luncheon Miss Anas- ties, five generations of Ortho- the service for our annual Pre- tasia Hamatie asked to speak to dox Christians have fleshed out Thanksgiving Luncheon. We all present about the Order of what it means to be faithful chil- whipped up a special Arabic St. Ignatius of Antioch; though dren of the Church of Antioch, menu especially for the Patri- she has been unemployed for the Great City-of-God, here in archal visitors; Patriarch IGNA- over eight months, she said, she the New World. Through the in- TIUS had never tasted candied will not break her pledge of sup- tercessions of the Holy Hierarch yams before, but he couldn’t get port to the Order. Raphael of Brooklyn, whose enough of them! That evening, His Grace pre- feast we celebrated yesterday, sided at the Great Vespers ser- may the memory of your found- Vivian Hermantas vice, during which he tonsured ers and all the departed clergy Julian Brayboy of the ministry of the Community of the Cross

48 The Word COMMUNITIES IN ACTION

in Orlando into the ‘angelic’ life. into the Order. Fr. John told Orlando, Florida Teens Learn Left: Ladies Guild of The ministry of the Community Sayidna that Dale Tennant and the Sacred Art of Iconography St. George, of the Cross, directed by Br. his lovely wife Trinnia were both Orlando, Florida James T. Langston, undertakes joining. When Hikmat finished Imagine entering a room in Above: February to house, feed and otherwise speaking, Fr. John was told by which you are given a blank white (gesso) board one day, birthday celebrants help homeless HIV-positive men Mr. Paul Moses II, grandson of with Bishop ANTOUN in this area. Archimandrite Paul Moses, that and being told that in seven The Great Vespers were fol- he also wanted to join the Or- days you will have written an lowed by the monthly Teen der. Sayidna invited all the local icon of Christ. You have also SOYO outreach program in members of the Order to come been told that you don’t have to which teens, their parents, their forward in support of the new have any previous experience, friends and parents come to- members. Following the Liturgy, and, in fact, you don’t have to gether to ask any questions they Fr. John noticed a difference in be artistic. Can you imagine want, usually of Fr. John, but, the application form of Mr. Mo- that? For teens 15 to 18 years of this time, of Sayidna. The teens ses and told Sayidna that Paul age, you don’t have to imagine wrote their questions on paper would not be a Knight of the it. You have an opportunity to and these were submitted anon- Order, because he wished to be do it! At the Antiochian Village, ymously. Sayidna was very im- a Knight Commander! A beauti- we offer a program to learn the pressed by their questions and ful and delicious luncheon was sacred art of iconography under the banter back and forth with served afterwards by the local the watchful eye and hand of the youth of the parish. chapter of the Order of St. Igna- Erin Kimmet, our resident ico- On Sunday, His Grace arrived tius in the Mama Alyce Hamatie nographer. Teens will learn each early at St. George’s for the Fellowship Hall. aspect of writing an icon as well matins service followed by a On Monday, March 2nd, His as the theology of iconography. beautiful Hierarchal Divine Lit- Grace left Orlando and a con- But better yet, they will put what urgy. We were blessed with the gregation who love him and they have learned into practice presence of Edmond & Hikmat look forward to his return. as they spend many hours mak- Saoud. Sayidna invited Hikmat, ing thousands of strokes with a who is the Diocesan chair of the V. Rev. Fr. John E. Hamatie paint brush on that blank white Saint George Antiochian board until it is “theology in Order of St. Ignatius, to speak Orthodox Church to the congregation about the color.” work of the Order. During her Our program begins with our informative talk, His Grace iconography students’ arrival asked Fr. John if there were any at the Antiochian Village on th new members to be inducted Sunday, July 12 . Almost im-

The Word 49 COMMUNITIES IN ACTION

the opportunity to hear from a wives of the Antiochian Arch- visiting iconographer, and they diocese and other Orthodox will view and discuss the icons jurisdictions are planning an in- of the chapels and the Heritage augural Clergy Wives Weekend Museum at the Village. Students at the Antiochian Village during who may be returning for a sec- the weekend of November 7–8, ond year will write an icon of the 2009. The schedule will reflect Mother of God that will be the Joanne’s holy and holistic ap- companion to the icon of Christ proach to life – we need to pray; that they have previously writ- we need to play. We need to en- ten. When the students depart joy fellowship with one another from the Village on Monday, July for this short time, without the 20th, they will return home with responsibilities of parish or fam- their own icon, which will have ily or other cares of this world. been blessed at the end of one of While planning continues, the the services at camp. Last year, inaugural Weekend’s program one of the families reproduced will begin Saturday morning their teen’s icon and used it as and finish with Sunday liturgy a beautiful greeting card for our and brunch. By limiting it to a Lord’s Nativity. one-night stay only and mak- If you, or a teen that you know, ing it easier for those with chil- are interested in this Sacred Arts dren to arrange for their care, program, you may download an we hope that more clergy wives application at www.antiochian- will be able to attend. Partici- village.org/camp/forms. If you pants wishing to arrive Friday would like additional informa- night will be able to do so, for tion or have questions, feel free the cost only of the additional to contact the Antiochian Vil- night’s lodging. An informal lage at campoffice@antiochian- gathering will be held for those village.org, or call (724) 238- arriving Friday. 9565. There is limited space, so Watch The WORD magazine register as soon as possible. as well as the Archdiocesan Web site for further details, the an- Clergy Wives Weekend 2009 nouncement of the speaker and the schedule, and registration A pan-Orthodox gathering information! of spiritual refreshment and fellowship in memory of Kh. Stefanie Yazge mediately they will begin their Joanne Abdalah. Weekend Committee Coordinator instruction. The students will Kh. Joanne Abdalah served sleep in cabins at the camp and as an inspiration as the wife of participate in the liturgical ser- a priest and as a counselor to vices of the camp, as well as eat many. She understood the joys the majority of their meals with and trials of this life, and the the session-three campers, but need to find strength in Christ that is the extent to which this and each other. She believed unique program will bear any re- that every clergy wife needs to semblance to camp. In addition discover and develop her own to many hours of working on Christian vocation. their own icons, they will have In her memory, the clergy

50 The Word COMMUNITIES IN ACTION

Beloved Friends and ­Family Orthodox Church in Oklahoma and the Greek community at Pay Tribute to Father City, Oklahoma. the Annunciation Greek Ortho- ­Gregory Ofiesh on the On Mother’s Day, 1964, Father dox Cathedral in San Francisco. 50th Anniversary of His Gregory, along with his family, He is humbly indebted to Met- ­Ordination to the Sacred was assigned to St. Nicholas ropolitan Gerasimos and to the Priesthood Antiochian Orthodox Church Dean, Father Stephen Kyriacou, Five hundred and fifty beloved in San Francisco. At that time for their acceptance. He is able, friends and family gathered at the parish extended from Sacra- on occasion, not only to assist the Annunciation Cathedral on mento to Santa Cruz. It wasn’t in other churches, but to help a Sunday, March 29, 2009, in San long before St. Nicholas became brother priest in concelebrating Francisco to pay tribute to Fa- the mother church to four other and preaching, and in all the du- ther Gregory Ofiesh on the 50th churches in Los Altos, Orinda, ties of the parish. It is wonderful anniversary of his ordination to Sacramento and Santa Rosa. to see him at continued peace the Priesthood. Father Gregory The entire concept of the within himself. was ordained in his Father’s parish was always important Father Gregory attributes his church exactly fifty years ago to to Father Gregory. He estab- successful ministry to the sup- the day: March 29, 1959. lished complete Sunday School port he received from his par- Father Gregory Ofiesh was programs, summer camps, teen ents and family. He says, “They born Raymond Ofiesh on Au- and senior youth organizations, taught me to love by their life gust 13, 1931, in New Kens- enthusiastic sports programs, of sacrifice and devotion.” No ington, Pennsylvania, and is the and Archbishop’s Cotillions for matter what the need or cause, son of the Very Rev. Nicholas the young ladies. In addition, he Father Gregory is known to be and Khourieh Emily Ofiesh. He served the Region and the Arch- there, even to this day, as a fa- comes from a family of seven diocese as Spiritual Advisor for ther caring for his children, to girls and six boys, of whom five the national youth organization. lend support and strength – this are living. On a more civic dimension, he is the common thread of his fifty He attended and graduated reached out to teens by estab- years as a priest. from Duquesne University in lishing a series of group homes To Father Gregory and Khou- Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, fol- to serve the community at rieh Mary Jane, who recently th lowing which he enrolled at the large. Finally a day-care center celebrated their 50 wedding Greek Orthodox Seminary in was developed to assist work- anniversary, and to their be- Brookline, Massachusetts. He ing parents. This proved to be loved family, we say, “God grant then transferred and graduated a vital asset to the church as a you many years!” from St. Vladimir’s Russian Or- whole. Orthodox Christian Prison thodox Seminary in New York The parish hosted two Arch- diocesan Conventions (1966 Ministry Announces 2009 City. While in Manhattan, he Convocation received his Master’s Degree in and 1976) and several regional conferences. The parish also Religious Education from the “Remember those who are in had two ambitious building pro- Union Theological Seminary. prison, as though you were in grams: the educational center On February 8, 1959, he prison with them; those who and the massive expansion of married the former Mary Jane suffer evil, as though you the church . When Fa- Saleet. They have been blessed yourselves were suffering.” ther retired after 42 years of with four children: Nicholas, (Hebrews 13:3) Nicole, Raymond and Michael, dedicated service, 5 years at St. and they have one granddaugh- Elijah and 37 at St. Nicholas, St. Orthodox Christian Prison ter, Mary Jane Peters. Nicholas Church had become Ministry (OCPM), the official After his ordination in 1959, completely debt-free. prison ministry of the Standing Fr. Ofiesh was assigned to serve In the years following his re- Conference of the Canonical as pastor of St. Elijah Antiochian tirement Father Gregory has Orthodox Bishops in the Ameri- been a helper to Father Stephen cas (SCOBA), announces its

The Word 51 COMMUNITIES IN ACTION

2009 Convocation, which will integration services, Christian lenged us in October of 2007 take place July 28–30 in Denver, education, spiritual guidance to move to a new location and Colorado. The purpose of the and the sacramental life of the erect a beautiful temple with convocation is to bring together Church to prisoners and their seating for 400 to 450 people. the many Orthodox clergy and families. OCPM is a tax-exempt, We were frankly astounded laity from across North America 501 (c) (3) not-for-profit orga- when he went on to predict that who are participating in prison nization. Donations to this vital such a task could be done in ministry or who are interested ministry may be sent to P.O. Box about two years if God blessed in prison ministry, for a time of 468, Fleetwood, Pennsylvania, it. Our priest Father David Mus- fellowship, education, encour- 19522-0468, and are tax-de- tian had been encouraging us to agement, communal worship ductible. pray about our space needs for and the free exchange of ideas. several years. With the core of The convocation will be held St. Luke, Lafayette, Colorado­ a building committee already in at the Crowne Plaza Denver place, we were eager to try to Airport, located at 15500 East On February 14 the parish of meet our bishop’s challenge. 40th Avenue, Denver, Colorado, St. Luke Orthodox Church in Early in 2007 we had found Lafayette, Colorado, was hon- 80239. Hotel room reserva- a beautiful nine-acre site only ored to welcome His Grace, tions may be made by calling minutes from our current build- Bishop BASIL, for the service of the Crowne Plaza at (303) 371- ing, at the intersection of two ground-breaking at the site of 9494. A special room rate of main thoroughfares in the town our new temple. $79 per night, only available of Erie. After much prayer and until July 17, 2009, has been Our parish has been blessed due diligence, and with the secured for the convocation. with increasing membership blessing of our bishop, we com- Registrants should mention that since its founding in 1991. The pleted the purchase of this land. they are with Orthodox Chris- current temple, which seats Providentially, soon after we tian Prison Ministry. 200, was built in 1995 and ex- received an unsolicited offer to Registration forms for the panded in 1998. We tried to ex- buy our current land and build- pand our church again, but the convocation itself may be down- ing from another Church that county’s firm rules on develop- loaded from www.ocpm-scoba. was selling its building to a de- ment and our lack of sufficient org. Participants may register veloper. The building planning land made this impossible. With at www.ocpm-scoba.org or by committee and parish council the steady growth of our parish, mailing their form and registra- spent many hours planning the our beloved Bishop BASIL chal- tion fee to Orthodox Christian Prison Ministry P.O. Box 22965 Oklahoma City, OK 73123 The registration fee is $125 if received before or on June 15, 2009, and is $150 if received afterwards. Financial assistance to cover the registration fee is available to those for whom the fee would impose a financial hardship. OCPM brings the light of Christ to those who are in prison in North America by providing encouragement, ma- terial support, transition and re-

52 The Word COMMUNITIES IN ACTION

with each other, and to resist the Orthodox Nursing and temptation to rest on our laurels ­Rehabilitation Center when we have only begun the ­Celebrates Merger with second phase of this project, Historic Nursing Facility the construction of a new holy Worcester, Massachusetts temple to God. We thank our – The Eastern Orthodox Man- good Lord for His providence agement Corporation (EOMC), and our bishop for his guidance which operates Holy Trinity and holy prayers, and we antici- Nursing and Rehabilitation Cen- pate the day sometime this fall ter and Holy Trinity Hospice, when, God willing, we will cel- proudly celebrated its recent ebrate our first Divine Liturgy in merger with Washburn House, this beautiful new temple. 1183 Main Street, a nurs- Deacon Mark Berge ing and residential care facil- design of our new Church with (Deacon Berge was chrismated ity which has been in operation at St. Luke Orthodox Church in since 1869. One hundred and our Orthodox architect, Christ Lafayette, Colorado, by Father David fifty people attended an event Kamages, under the guidance of Mustian in July of 2001. He served our bishop. previously as choir director and as to honor “Leader’s Circle” do- a member of the Parish Council. He February 14 was a very cold nors, Business Archons, and was tonsured a reader in 2005 and Holy Trinity Hospice Investors and wintry day, but we were made a in 2006 by His warmed by the prayers of many Grace, Bishop BASIL. After com- on Thursday, April 23, from of the clergy and faithful from pleting studies in the St. Stephen’s 6–8 p.m. at Washburn House. program, he was ordained to the Mayor Konstantina Lukes, with our own and nearby congrega- holy Diaconate by Bishop BASIL in tions, who joined Bishop BASIL December of 2008. He is assigned to former Washburn House Presi- in the blessing of the site of our the parish of St. Luke.) dent Francis Shea and EOMC future altar, the first turning President Francis J. O’Connor, of the earth, and the raising of Jr., commemorated the merger the cross. We were cheered by with a ribbon-cutting ceremony the beautiful sounds of hymns that evening. and chants from our choir and In her remarks, Mayor Lukes chanters. Afterwards we met described Ichabod Washburn, across the street at the Erie the Washburn House’s benefac- Community Center, where we enjoyed warm drinks and re- freshments and heard gracious remarks from the mayor of the Town. Bishop BASIL thanked the mayor and town officials for their warm welcome to the Church of Christ, something that is not to be taken for grant- ed in these times. His Grace re- minded us not to become proud, but rather to be grateful to God for His blessings. That night at Great Vespers our bishop exhorted us to con- tinue our prayer and sacrificial giving, always to remain patient Above, L-R: Father Michael Abdelahad, Christine Bezreh, Ruth Nimee, Serena Shields The Word 53 COMMUNITIES IN ACTION

tor and founder, as a “captain of city. The merger of our paral- St. George, Cedar Rapids industry” in the City of Worces- lel missions and resources will Retreat ter during the mid-1800’s. enable Holy Trinity to imple- Mayor Lukes reminded the ment a continuum of services The St. George Community in audience of Washburn’s con- that will further exemplify Mr. Cedar Rapids held a retreat, on siderable impact, as he was “a Washburn’s original vision.” the theme of Holy week and Pas- contributing founder of Worces- cha, for Sunday School children ter Polytechnic Institute, Me- About the Eastern Orthodox on Lazarus Saturday. We wanted morial Hospital, and Mechan- Management Corporation: to encourage our young people to ics Hall, as well as the founder • Founded in 1989 by the become more involved in the ser- of Washburn House.” One of Council of Eastern Orthodox vices of Holy Week, the most im- Worcester’s most prominent Churches, twelve Orthodox portant time of the year for Ortho- philanthropists, Washburn was churches in Central Massachu- dox Christians. Following Divine also an advocate for reform in setts Liturgy on Lazarus Saturday, forty education, for temperance and • Worcester-based, mission- children from pre-school to eighth for women’s rights, and against driven, non-profit corporation grade stayed and experienced Holy slavery and tobacco. In closing, • Operator of Holy Trin- Week through music, religious ed- the Mayor proclaimed April 23, ity Nursing and Rehabilitation ucation, and arts and crafts. They 2009, as “Holy Trinity Ichabod Center since 1994, a 113-bed learned the troparia of Palm Sun- Washburn House Day in the provider of post-acute and long- day and of Pascha, made their own City of Worcester.” term care, offering skilled nurs- lanterns to be ready for the bride- Holy Trinity was among 13 ing and rehabilitation services groom, shared in a recreation of Je- local non-profit providers who • Operator of Holy Trinity sus’ with his disciples, were invited to submit a letter Hospice since 2007, a Medi- and even had their feet washed by of interest to the Trustees of care-licensed, community-based their priest, Fr. Fred Shaheen. the Home for Aged Women in hospice On Holy Wednesday, teens read August 2008. After a rigorous epistles for the Unction Service. selection process, the Trust- About Icabod Washburn: On Holy Friday, we introduced ees offered the opportunity to • Co-founded Washburn & a first at St. George: young girls merge to Holy Trinity. The Sec- Moen on Grove Street and be- participated in the Lamentations retary for the Commonwealth came known as the “Father of Service by standing next to the of Massachusetts Office, which the Wire Industry” in America, bier as handmaidens guarding Je- oversees not-for-profit organi- and a “captain of industry” in sus’ tomb. They were dressed all zations, approved the merger, Worcester in white and each held a basket of effective January 1, 2009. • Helped create Worcester flowers. This custom is described Karen Laganelli, Executive Di- Polytechnic Institute and served in the book, Esther’s Easter Dress, rector, states, “I am pleased that on its Board of Trustees by Katherine Kafarakis. During the Holy Trinity will be celebrat- • Founder of Memorial Hos- verse of the third Lamentations ing the merger with Washburn pital, originally for women and that begins, “Myrrh the women House as we acknowledge those children sprinkled,” they threw rose petals who have supported us over • Founder of Mechanics Hall, on the epitaphios. The girls then the years with their generosity. and helped finance the construc- followed the altar boys and clergy . . . I am extremely proud that tion and operation (“Washburn in the procession outside with the Holy Trinity has been chosen to Hall” is named for him) epitaphios. preserve the legacy of Icabod • Founder of the Home for Overall, Holy Week this year Washburn, the founder of Wash- Aged Females, Washburn House, proved to be a great and memora- burn House, by perpetuating which became co-ed in 1997 ble educational experience for the his mission to provide care for whole community, young and old. needy senior citizens in our Serena Shields, Director of Philanthropy (508) 852-1000 or [email protected] Khourieh Michelle Shaheen

54 The Word COMMUNITIES IN ACTION

in Brooklyn and herself worked in the Cathedral Sunday School and Hamilat il teeb (the Ladies organization). When St. Mary’s Antiochian Orthodox Church was re-estab- lished in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, Alyce worked with the late Vic- tor Joseph to establish a Sunday School for the parish, of which he became Superintendent. With the unexpected falling asleep in the Lord of Victor in 1953, Fr. Paul Schneirla, Pastor, imme- diately appointed Alyce Super- St. Barnabas Orthodox soc.org) is a local parish of the intendent. “Mrs. Hamatie,” as Church Receives 22 New Self-Ruled Antiochian Orthodox everyone called her, immersed Members in 2009 Christian Archdiocese of North herself in the work of the Sun- America. Its outreach and media day School and saw almost 300 St. Barnabas Antiochian Or- ministries include “The Illumined students registered! St. Mary’s thodox Church in Costa Mesa, Heart” podcast, broadcast week- came to have the largest Sun- California, received twenty-two ly on Ancient Faith Radio, and day School in the history of the new faithful into the Holy Ortho- Death to the World, a quarterly Antiochian Orthodox Church in dox Church on Lazarus Saturday, journal for seekers and subcul North America, and possibly the April 11, 2009. ture youth. largest Sunday School of any The Very Rev. Wayne Wilson Orthodox Church in this land! and the Very. Rev. Michael Rea- Alyce Samen Hamatie Not only did Alyce run a very gan officiated as over one hun- successful Sunday School, she dred friends and family of the Most people, whose life is also was elected President of former catechumens witnessed deemed “successful” by society, the Church Ladies Organiza- the blessed and joyful occasion. usually shine in one area. My tion, as well as President of the St. Barnabas received 25 new mother, Alyce S. Hamatie, was Syrian Ladies Aid (a local phil- faithful in 2008, 27 in 2007, 28 blessed to have had two suc- anthropic charity in New York). in 2006, and 18 new members in cessful lives serving the Lord, In addition to all these efforts, 2005. His Holy Orthodox Church, and she was the leading and most New member Russ Jones, a mankind in general. energetic founder-worker of thirty-year-old high school earth Born in Manhattan, the daugh- the Brooklyn Volunteers for the science teacher in Garden Grove, ter of Usta and Alia (Hatem) American Lebanese Syrian As- California, is typical of this group Samen on Dec. 17, 1911, Alyce sociated Charities (ALSAC) or- of catechumens, which included suffered through the Great De- ganization, which benefits the several from a local evangeli- pression and worked at an early St. Jude Children’s Research cal university. Russ had been an age to help support her family. Hospital in Memphis, Tennes- evangelical Protestant involved She married Edgar D. Hamatie see, and founded by the late in the Messianic Jewish move- on Nov. 29, 1942. They had Danny Thomas. Alyce’s work ment in southern California be- two sons, Douglas Alexander had a positive effect on thou- fore finding the true messianic on Sept. 14, 1943, and myself, sands of children and parents. Christian Church in the Orthodox John Edgar, on June 16, 1946. Because of her dedication to Church. Early in their development, Al- this work, upon the death of her St Barnabas Antiochian Or- yce took them to St. Nicholas oldest son, Douglas, on August thodox Church (www.stbarnaba- Antiochian Orthodox Cathedral 17, 1962 in a tragic automobile

The Word 55 COMMUNITIES IN ACTION

accident, the Brooklyn Volun- she joined the Syrian-Lebanese- yce, was an unbelievable person. teers donated enough money American Club of Orlando and She had more energy and stam- to have a consultation room at became a very active member. ina than anyone I ever encoun- St. Jude’s given in his name. In When the opportunity arose tered. She could be out with me her spare time she even wrote for St. George to purchase their all day, and when we came home a weekly column about the go- present edifice in downtown as I would pull into the driveway, ings on in Bay Ridge for a local Orlando, the Church was short she would ask me, “Should I get community paper known as The $23,000 of the needed $50,000 out?” She always invited me to Caravan, and later on for the down-payment. I went to my go to lunch and dinner and most Lebanese American Journal. mother and asked her to loan of the time I was too tired for When my wife, Monique the Church the needed funds, either. She gnarled her fingers Hatem, came with me from which she did, interest free, almost to disfigurement work- Lebanon shortly after our mar- with an agreed loan period of ing at things for the family as riage in Lebanon, and met my five years. (We actually didn’t well as the Church. She deeply mother, Monique addressed her repay her for over 20 years!) In touched the lives of thousands as “Mama.” Alyce, however, ex- the 1970’s and 1980’s we had of people here in Central Flor- plained that it was not proper for started the missions in Ocala, ida, New York and throughout her to refer to her as “Mama,” Florida – St. Basil’s – and St. Pe- the Archdiocese of North Amer- since Monique’s mother was tersburg, Florida – St. Nicholas. ica. She was loved by people living in Lebanon. So Monique Most of the time, Mama Alyce not only in the United States, “baptized” Alyce “Mama Alyce,” drove me, the Pastor, and my but from places as different as a title she was always known by family on these trips in her car. Jamaica and Lebanon. She is a in Central Florida. My mother She traveled to many Parish prime example of the departed and father often came to visit us Life Conferences and Archdi- soul that upon encountering the following my ordination to the ocesan Conventions as a mem- Lord, hears these words from Holy Priesthood on October 1, ber of the Parish Council of the His Mouth – “Well done, my 1972, and my coming to Orlan- Church. Though she was not good and faithful servant.” do, Florida, to pastor St. George married to a priest, to many I have been Blessed to know Antiochian Orthodox Church on she was another khouria in Or- two extraordinary women in my April 15, 1973. After my oldest lando. She touched the lives of life. The first was my paternal son, Johnny, was born, my moth- so many people both in and out- grand-mother, Hananee Kara- er and father moved to Orlando. side of the parish. From elected cand, and I always have told Even before this, on each visit officials to people on the street, people how fantastic she was. Mama Alyce would get involved everyone knew and loved Mama It was not until April 14, 2009, with the work of the parish. Alyce. Perhaps the most fit- that my inner eyes opened and I Once she moved to Orlando, ting testimonial was one given realized that there was another she immediately became in- by John Solomon, an African- extraordinary women in my life. volved with the Sunday School American man who came to St. Someone who lived in my home, and the Ladies Guild, and she George from the streets and re- shared my meals, watched tele- even sang in the Choir. She cently joined the Holy Orthodox vision with me, rode in the car became my secretary, making Church. He cried at the news of next to me, waited for me in thousands of telephone calls. her passing and told everyone my office and attended nearly She was known always never how he and Mama Alyce, each all the services God blessed me to say “Good-bye,” when end- Sunday morning before Matins, to serve at St. George. Mom, ing a telephone call. When her would share a pastry and coffee, we missed you, even when you husband, my father Edgar, fell and how she always asked him were with us but not in our im- asleep in the Lord on March for a kiss on her cheek. mediate sight; now we will miss 10, 1977, Mama Alyce dedi- My mother, who I always you even more, and we will con- cated herself even more to the called Mom or Mommy, but who tinue to look for you daily in our work of the parish. In addition, most people knew as Mama Al- hearts and memories. We love

56 The Word COMMUNITIES IN ACTION you and respect you – Mommy, the life of St. Thekla, but also plication Service to St. Thekla, Yia-Yia, Mama Alyce, Tayta, Tay- commemorates the founding of the Sacrament of Holy Unction, ta Alyce. the Village thirty-one years ago and Great Vespers. Bishop JO- Following the interment of her in the Fall of 1978. Faithful pil- SEPH will address the faithful earthly remains in Greenwood grims of the Archdiocese have at each of these services, and at Cemetery in Brooklyn, I told my come together annually at the a panel discussion on Saturday family that while Mama Alyce’s end of September for the pil- evening entitled, “Ask Sayidna.” body would be in Brooklyn, her grimage ever since. During the day, you may avail spirit would return with us to It was fitting that St. Thekla yourself of discussion groups of Orlando. Someone said, “May became the focal point of the your choice related to the topic, she rest in peace,” to which I pilgrimage for several reasons. walking tours of the Chapels replied, “In all my life, I never For one, her feast day falls on and Shrines, Museum Tours, the knew my mother to take a rest, September 24th, near to the meditation trail or free time. Ad- and I am sure now that the Lord date of the dedication. Secondly, ditionally, there will be activities has plans for her, and even if He she is a youthful virgin-martyr for children. doesn’t, surely she has.” and worthy exemplar for all the O glorious Thekla, companion I love you, Mommy. children and youth who have of Paul the divine, you were en- been blessed by the ministry of flamed with the love of the Cre- Father John E. Hamatie, Pastor the Antiochian Village Camp. ator, by the teaching of the di- Saint George Antiochian ­Orthodox Church, Orlando, Florida Thirdly, she is from the biblical vine preacher. You despised the lands of the ancient Patriarch- passing earthly pleasures, and In honor of Mama +ALYCE ate of Antioch. And finally, as offered yourself to God as an ac- HAMATIE, St. George Antio- Metropolitan PHILIP himself ceptable and pleasing sacrifice, chian Orthodox Church has es- has proclaimed, one day “there disregarding all suffering. Inter- tablished a memorial fund which will be the Convent of St. Thekla cede with Christ your Groom to will be used to place twelve gold- at the Village.” grant us His great mercy. leaf mosaics of the heads of the We invite you to travel to a See the Web site or contact Apostles of Our Lord around place of spiritual renewal and the office at Antiochian Village the Church. If you would like to increase, to an encounter with a (724-238-3677) for more infor- contribute, please write a check Saint, and your true home. There mation. to St. George Antiochian Or- are holy shrines, holy relics and thodox Church, with this note holy things on this “mountain.” H. Paul Finley, Executive Director Antiochian Village Conference on the memo line: “Mama +Al- This year the theme for the Pil- and Retreat Center yce Hamatie Memorial Fund.” grimage is “’As for me and my house, we shall serve the Lord’ (Joshua 24:15): The Domestic The St. Thekla Pilgrimage Church.” We are honored to have His Grace, The Right Reverend “Come ye, and let us go up to Bishop JOSEPH, who oversees the mountain of the Lord, and the Diocese of Los Angeles and He will teach us of His ways, the West, as our presiding hier- and we will walk in His paths.” arch. You are welcome to come Isaiah 2:3 only for the Saturday, but we The oldest and arguably the encourage you to come for the most venerable of events that whole weekend. takes place at the Antiochian Saturday includes the cel- Village Camp and Conference ebration of the Hierarchical Center is the St. Thekla Pilgrim- Divine Liturgy, concluding with age, celebrated this year Sep- a procession to the Shrine of tember 25-27. It not only extols St. Thekla and the Small Sup- Orthodox world The Orthodox Church on the personal, social and reli- sonal “micro-theologies.” An- Today: New Research gious attitudes of Orthodox pa- swering the question, “When ­Reveals Some Not-So- rishioners and on patterns of ev- you think about your theologi- ­Obvious Facts about eryday church life in their local cal position and approach to ­American Orthodox parishes. Special attention was church life, which word best ­Christianity paid to the “image” of Orthodox describes where you stand?” “The Orthodox Church Today” clergy in the eyes of “people in the relative majority (41%) of study released by the Patriarch the pews,” and to issues related church members preferred to Athenagoras Orthodox Institute to “Democracy and Pluralism be in the safe “middle” and de- in Berkeley, California (www.or- in the Church,” “Changes and scribed their theological stance thodoxinstittute.org) disproves Innovations in the Church,” and approach to church life as many stereotypes and provides and “Religious ‘Particularism’ “traditional.” At the same time, groundbreaking insights into and .” Many com- quite sizeable factions identified the life of today’s American Or- parisons with American Roman themselves as being either “con- thodox Christian community. Catholics and Protestants make servative” (28%) or “moderate- With its historical roots in study results especially interest- liberal” (31%). nineteenth-century Russian ing for a wider audience. 3) Orthodox Christians have Alaska, Orthodox Christianity Here are some interesting a strong sense of their religious in the USA today accounts for facts about today’s American identity and clear preference about 1,200,000 – 1,300,000 Orthodox Christianity. for the Orthodox Church. Nine faithful worshipping in 2,200 – 1) The common stereotype in ten parishioners said that 2,300 local parishes spread all is that Orthodox Churches in they “cannot imagine being across the nation. the USA are “ethnic” churches anything but Orthodox.” For “The Orthodox Church Today” of certain immigrant communi- an overwhelming majority of pa- is the first national survey-based ties. The study shows that this rishioners, “Christianity” essen- study of ordinary parishio- no longer the case. Nine out of tially means “Orthodox Christi- ners in the two largest Ortho- ten parishioners in both GOA anity.” Indeed, eight out of ten dox Churches in the USA: the and OCA are American-born. respondents think that “there is Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Further, more than one-quarter one best and true interpretation America (GOA) and the Ortho- (29%) of the GOA and a majori- of the meaning of the Christian dox Church in America (OCA). ty of OCA (51%) members today faith and the Orthodox Church Combined, the GOA and the are converts to Orthodoxy – per- comes closest to teaching it.” OCA account for more than half sons born and raised either Prot- The study compared GOA and of all Orthodox Christians and estants or Roman Catholics. OCA members with American parishes in the USA. Therefore 2) Not all Orthodox are Roman Catholics and found that the study reflects to a significant equally “Orthodox.” The study in various measures American degree the profile of the entire found that the gaps between the Orthodox Christians adhere American Orthodox community. “left” and the “right” wings in more strongly to their Church Respondents from more than American Orthodoxy are wide than do Roman Catholics. 100 randomly selected Ortho- and that American Orthodox 4) The strong Orthodox iden- dox parishes situated in various Christians are deeply divided tity does not mean that “people parts of the country participat- among themselves in their per- in the pews” view their religious ed. The questionnaire focused

58 The Word obligations exactly as expected four respondents favor “big-tent Alexei Krindatch, by the institutional Church. In parishes that tolerate diversity Patriarch Athenagoras reality, most parishioners make of beliefs and practices, where ­Orthodox Institute, Akrin- personal choices among vari- people hold different views and [email protected], 510-649- ous norms of Church life, hold- openly discuss their disagree- 3450, 773-551-7226 ing firmly to what is central for ments.” their faith and approaching the 7) Orthodox Christians Patriarch Athenagoras Ortho- rest as desirable but not cru- have various opinions on the dox Institute (PAOI) is an af- cial. The beliefs in Jesus’ resur- compatibility of evolutionism filiate member of the Gradu- rection and actual presence in and creationism. With regard ate Theological Union, an the Eucharist are perceived by to public education, American ecumenical consortium of nine the Orthodox laity as the most Orthodox laity are divided into independent seminaries and fundamental criteria of being a three almost equal groups: those eight affiliated centers based in “good Orthodox Christian.” In who favor teaching creationism Berkeley, California. PAOI ex- contrast, regular Church at- instead of evolution in Ameri- ists to educate, communicate tendance, obeying the priest can public schools (33%), those and promote the traditions and and observing are who reject this idea (35%), and culture of Orthodox Christian- seen by a majority of parish- those who are unable to take ity. The Institute’s major pro- ioners as non-essential for be- a stand on this matter (32%). grams include ing a “good Orthodox Chris- Almost equal proportions of • two-year Master of Arts in tian.” them either agreed (41%) or Orthodox Studies – the only 5) Only three in ten parish- disagreed (38%) with the state- graduate program in Orthodox ioners would support women ment “Evolutionary theory is Studies in the United States being altar servers or deacons, compatible with the idea of God west of Pittsburgh, Pennsyl- and only one in ten think that as Creator.” More than one-fifth vania, and the only one not women should be eligible to (21%) of respondents were un- offered by an Orthodox semi- the Orthodox priesthood. It is able to evaluate this statement nary; a historical fact that in the past and said that they are “neutral • InterOrthodoxPress pub- the Orthodox Church had a fe- or unsure.” lishing company; male deaconate which died out 8) Most people probably do • Parish Life Project – an on- in the Middle Ages. Today, how- not consider being a profes- going program to study the ever, a vast majority of Ameri- sional clergyman in twenty-first inner realities of Orthodox can Orthodox Christians do not century America the occupation Church life in the U.S. through favor the ordination of women. of their dreams. Yet the study sociological surveys and other Male and female respondents found that more than three research methods. expressed the same opinions on quarters of the respondents For more on PAOI, see www. the question. “would encourage their sons orthodoxinstitute.org, or write 6) More than two-thirds of to become priests.” [email protected], or call 510- the respondents say that they Downloadable copies of the 649-3450. wanted to belong to parishes complete “Orthodox Church To- that “require uniformity of day” study report are available belief and practice and where on the web-site of the Patriarch OCMC Mission Team people hold the same views.” Athenagoras Orthodox Institute That is, American Orthodox at http://www.orthodoxinsti- This year there are two excit- Christians have quite different tute.org/orthodoxchurchtoday. ing opportunities to go where (“liberal-moderate,” “tradition- html no OCMC Mission Team has al,” “conservative”) personal For more information on this gone before! Under the bless- approaches to Church life, but study or to schedule media in- ing of His Eminence George, they prefer homogenous, “like- terview with the principal re- Metropolitan of Zimbabwe, and minded” parishes. Only one in searcher, contact His Eminence Alexander,

The Word 59 ties’ (IOCC), Dirk Lackovic- van Gorp, travels to Gaza regularly to oversee IOCC’s distributions of food, blankets and hygiene supplies to 6,000 vulnerable families through- out Gaza. Here is a portion of his field diary. For Dirk’s com- plete Gaza diary, go to http:// ioccingaza.blogspot.com

As we approach the Erez crossing on the Israeli side of the border with the Palestinian territory of Gaza, it suddenly oc- curs to me that I have grown fa- miliar with the routine. I need to International Metropolitan of Nigeria, Mis- philanthropic work of the Or- pause and remind myself of the Orthodox Christian sion Teams will travel to Nige- thodox faithful vital. The OCMC daily reality for the 1.5 million Charities (IOCC) is ria and Zimbabwe this summer. Mission Team to Zimbabwe will Palestinians on the other side providing food, Both teams will focus on areas focus on outreach and evange- of this crossing – that they are blankets and hy- effectively prisoners in a small giene supplies to where there are few Orthodox lism, supporting the zealous ef- 6,000 vulnerable priests but where Orthodox forts of the six resident clergy. strip of land along the scenic families in Gaza. faithful work valiantly to spread During the early planning stag- Mediterranean coast. IOCC is working in the Good News of the Gospel. es for this Team, Zimbabwe has But today, as always, there are cooperation with The Church in Nigeria has been much in the news as a very small differences. As I enter the the Orthodox Church terminal and hand my passport in Gaza, where the a fascinating history: in the needy country. Please remem- and ID to the border control po- homes of needy twentieth century, the Nigerian ber them in your prayers. families, damaged people, in search of the origi- Both of these countries offer lice, I am asked the customary in the recent war, nal Christian church, formed a opportunities for the Orthodox questions regarding the pur- are being repaired. union of churches called “Calva- faithful in North America – for pose of my entry to Gaza. As al- (Photo: D. Lackovic- ry Grace Church.” In 1985, this you – to minister in an amaz- ways, I respond that I work with van Gorp/IOCC Jeru- IOCC and that I will be meeting salem/West Bank) collective of Nigerian churches ing new way. This is a chance was brought into the canonical to show love and support for and working with the Orthodox Orthodox Church. Since then, our brothers and sisters abroad, Church in Gaza in our efforts to the Orthodox Church of Nige- help to spread the Gospel, provide humanitarian assistance ria has had a strong focus on and to share in a journey of to vulnerable families. outreach and evangelism. This faith. Visit http://www.ocmc. The border agent listens to year’s OCMC Mission Team will org/programs/teams_search. my response and asks: “A Chris- work to further this effort by aspx?SearchBy=Year to see all tian Church in Gaza?” I politely traveling to Lagos, Nigeria, to of the 2009 Mission Team op- respond, “Yes, there is a historic teach in “new areas of mission.” portunities. Orthodox Christian Church in The Church in Zimbabwe was Gaza, although it now numbers originally begun to minister to Gaza’s Orthodox only 3,000 persons.” The bor- Orthodox immigrants, but in re- ­Community Struggles to der agent follows up with: “How cent years it has sought actively Endure long has the Church been in to be a missionary church. The Gaza?” My response, “Approxi- The Jerusalem/West Bank difficult economic conditions in mately 2,000 years.” The border representative of Internation- Zimbabwe, along with the high agent gives me a look of some al Orthodox Christian Chari- rate of HIV/AIDS, have made the surprise, but then stamps my

60 The Word ORTHODOX WORLD passport. structed in 406 AD and about 6 parliament recognizes 18 differ- Waiting for us as usual is to 10 feet below street-level, we ent religious and ethnic sects. George, a member of the Or- venerate the relics of the Saint, More than 400 teenagers par- thodox faithful in Gaza. George which are placed beneath his ticipated in 14 four-day camps studied and lived in northern icon. that featured community ser- Greece for some years before Departing Gaza after lunch vice projects and lectures on returning home to Gaza. He to cross back into Israel via the strategic planning and citizen- now owns a small business and Erez crossing, I reflect on the ship. Participants interviewed volunteers to assist the Church meaning and significance of the residents to learn about their with various tasks. Even though past days and IOCC’s efforts community’s needs and then we have become close friends to minister to individuals and went to work cleaning streets, over the past months, I am al- families in need. While the lev- planting trees, and painting ways humbled by the life of this els of human need in Gaza are school playgrounds. They also dedicated man of God. not as great as those I have seen learned how to write a proposal, Friday passes by quickly as I in many of the world’s poorest monitor their projects and write meet with the IOCC field offi- countries and conflict areas, an evaluation of what was ac- cers in Gaza – Khalil and Mousa the needs of the people of Gaza complished. – and we discuss the business are significant – and it is in this Wala, 19-years-old, learned and tasks related to IOCC’s on- place that I am called to serve at that one can better identify and going efforts to assist the most this time through IOCC. prioritize a community’s needs vulnerable and needy Gaza fam- with the participation of that ilies. A distribution of food and IOCC Youth Camps in community. “Those are skills hygiene supplies – made from ­Lebanon Promote Tolerance that we’ll use later in life and not the courtyard of the Orthodox only for summer camp,” says (Beirut, Lebanon) – Interna- Church and monastery – is be- Wala. She adds that the most tional Orthodox Christian Char- ing finalized today, and many of interesting times at summer ities (IOCC) hosted 14 youth the beneficiaries express their camp were those spent being camps throughout Lebanon, gratitude to IOCC. The Church introduced to the region, mak- promoting a culture of tolerance is located in the oldest section ing direct contact with villagers among youth and encouraging of Gaza City, called “Az Zaitoun,” and listening to their problems them to take an active role in and it is also now one of the and stories. improving their communities. poorest areas. More than 500 IOCC’s youth camps are part One 18-year-old who partici­ needy families have received as- of its five million dollar program, pated in a Baalbek camp is al- sistance today through the part- funded by the U.S. government, ready anxious to start a devel­ nership of IOCC and the Ortho- that aims to improve the learn- opment organization where dox Church in Gaza. ing environment and academic peo­ple from different religions Saturday evening brings the performance of 71,000 public can work together to help Leba- start of the most significant and school students in 213 schools non’s rural areas. “The first day, meaningful part of my time in throughout Lebanon. The we were strangers meeting for Gaza during this visit, as we join camps were implemented in the first time,” he says, “but I the faithful for worship – first partnership with the University was relieved to find out that al- with Vespers, and soon to be fol- of Balamand and the Lebanese though we came from various lowed by Sunday morning Lit- Ministry of Education. backgrounds there was noth- urgy. All of this is taking place ing standing in the way of our in the Church of Saint Porphy- CONNECT with the Middle unity.” rios, who brought Christianity East! Such youth camps serve an to this then-pagan city during important role in Lebanon, a Register Now! Places Are his ministry as Bishop of Gaza country with a long history of Limited! from 395–420 AD. Entering the sectarian conflict and whose The CONNECT program, ancient church, originally con-

The Word 61 THE ORTHODOX WORLD

More than 400 Lebanese youth participated in International Orthodox Christian Charities’ (IOCC) camps that emphasized com- munity service, diversity and tolerance. High school students interviewed people in various communities in need through- out Lebanon, then performed service projects, including painting schools and cleaning public areas. IOCC is improv- ing the learning environment in 213 public schools throughout Lebanon. (Photo: M. Joulouyan/IOCC Lebanon)

sponsored by the University of • seminars, workshops, and ed some with roots in the region. Balamand and now in its sev- meetings enth year, invites young people • audiovisuals and tutorials CONNECT is designed in con- who are 17–25 and who are • trips in Lebanon tent and method to enrich the interested in Lebanon and the • hikes throughout Lebanon mind, body, and soul. It does Middle East to apply for their • cultural & sports activities so by CONNECTING youth in a academic and cultural program • community-based projects manner conducive to addressing which runs July 1–29, 2009, Based at the University of cultural and ancestral interests. and is based in the peaceful hills Balamand’s main campus in It will leave participants with a of North Lebanon. North Lebanon, CONNECT of- lifetime of memorable experi- The mission of the CONNECT fers an opportunity for young ences. program is to CONNECT Leba- For more information, log on to men and women residing out- www.balamand.edu.lb/connect, or use the nese and other Arab immigrants side Lebanon to experience and contact details provided here for inquiries. with their homeland and to enjoy living, learning, and form- E-mail: [email protected] Lebanon Office: The University of Balamand CONNECT those who want to ing relationships with others in know more about the area with Deir El Balamand the beautiful environment of El-Koura our cultural heritage. Lebanon. Past participants have North Lebanon This is done through come from the US, Canada and Tel: +961 1 562108-9/ext.23 Fax: +961 1 562110 • Mobile: +961 3 574 231 • academic programs the Arabian Gulf, and have includ- Email:[email protected]

62 The Word ORTHODOX WORLD

FOCUS North America That meeting was the catalyst to www.FocusNorthAmerica.org Launches Orthodox for the creation of FOCUS North or contact Fr. Justin Mathews ­Christian Domestic Social America and the refining of its at 816.399.0909 or via email at Action Network vision, which is to make a sig- [email protected]. nificant and sustainable impact In early 2009, FOCUS North through Orthodox Christian so- To listen to an interview by America (Fellowship of Ortho- cial action in the lives of suffer- John Maddex with Fr. Justin dox Christians United to Serve) ing, impoverished or vulnerable Mathews about the launch of launched as a network of Or- persons of any age, race, FOCUS North America, go to thodox Christian social action or color in North America. This www.AncientFaithRadio.com or ministries that express Christ’s impact is intended especially in www.FocusNorthAmerica.org. love in North America for those ministries providing immediate who are hungry, thirsty, strang- Rev. Fr. Justin Mathews relief in the areas of food, occu- ers, naked, sick or in prison Executive Director, CEO pation, clothing, understanding FOCUS North America (Matthew 25:35–5). In its first and shelter, though it will not be 816.399.0909 60 days of operation, FOCUS limited to these. [email protected] North America has partnered FOCUS is compelled by with dozens of Orthodox agen- Christ’s mandate to serve those cies and parish initiatives and in need by awarded more than $30,000 in grants. • educating faith communities FOCUS grew out of the need concerning the scriptural im- for an Orthodox Christian ef- perative that we live out the fort to address the persistent Christian faith and witness and pervasive needs of the suf- through personal involve- fering, impoverished or vulner- ment in social service, and able in North America. It is a concerning historical prec- staggering reality that over 40 edents for this involvement million people live below the • supporting existing social poverty line and the unemploy- service agencies through ment rate exceeds 11 million training, coordination and people in North America and funding from private and is increasing. While there are public sources a variety of Orthodox Christian • initiating, funding and nur- agencies within all jurisdictions turing new, local social out- effectively engaged in address- reaches and encouraging ing these needs, a coordinated their leaders effort with national support and • collaborating with individu- encouragement could be much als who want to support so- more effective. cial ministry through volun- In January 2009, Mr. and Mrs. teerism or through funding Charles and Marilee Ajalat and these initiatives the Orthodox Vision Foundation sponsored an historic meeting of Orthodox agencies and par- twenty leaders, staff, academics ishes with social service initia- and patrons of leading Orthodox tives or plans for future projects Christian domestic social action are encouraged to become part agencies, with members repre- of the FOCUS North America senting a variety of Orthodox network. For more information jurisdictions in North America. about FOCUS North America, go

The Word 63 THE WORD 358 Mountain Road Periodical postage paid at PO Box 5238 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Englewood, NJ 07631-5238