Source: Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese of North America From the Antiochian Women NAB Antiochian Women Vice-President and Project Coordinator Dorothy Tampary has announced the organization’s 2023-2024 project, an Endowment Fund for widowed clergy wives. She writes, “God has blessed our Archdiocese with miraculous growth as we welcome new catechumens and returning Orthodox members. As we look to the future, we have realized the need to support and show appreciation for the women who serve Christ as helpmates to their priest-servant husbands. “This year’s Antiochian Women Project seeks to honor our widowed clergy wives for the years of selfless service they have given to our…
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Source: Public Orthodoxy Michael G. Azar Associate Professor of Theology/Religious Studies at the University of Scranton In his fight against those in Gaza whom he called “human animals,” the Israeli defense minister on October 8 vowed to act “accordingly” by cutting off fuel, food, water, and electricity to the impoverished strip of land. With this explicit policy of collective punishment (which has gotten even more collective and punishing in the last month), residential neighborhoods and marketplaces became immediate targets. Israel’s military dropped 6,000 bombs in the first six days of the war with “damage, not accuracy” as its goal. In those first few days, the neighborhood…
Source: Cosmos Philly North Wildwood, NJ – In a heartfelt celebration, St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in North Wildwood, New Jersey, paid tribute to the remarkable quarter-century ministry of Father Steven Vlahos on Saturday, November 4. The occasion, set against the backdrop of the St. Demetrios feast day dinner dance, was marked by a myriad of festivities, including the dedication of a portrait of Father Steven in recognition of his unwavering commitment. The event, attended by parishioners and community members alike, was a testament to the parish’s love and appreciation for Father Steven. The evening commenced with speeches from prominent…
Source: St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary On October 27-28, 2023, St Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary (SVOTS) student Mihailo Vlajkovic (M.A. ‘24) represented the Seminary at a conference hosted by the Berkeley Divinity School at Yale University. The two-day conference, titled “The Apostolic Ministry”: History, Theology, and Ecumenism, offered an exploration of “the ways in which churches claim ‘apostolicity,’ and what this ideal means for broader questions of ecumenism and inter-communion.” Eighteen presenters from the US, Canada, and Kenya joined the conference, representing a range of professions and viewpoints, including “theologians, historians, ordained ministers, canon lawyers, ecclesiologists, ecumenists, and students and seminarians.” Mihailo learned…
Source: Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America New York, NY – On Sunday, November 5, Capitale in New York City was adorned with the warmth and unity of over 500 attendees as they rejoiced in the revival of the cherished Archbishop’s Nameday Gala. This historic Archdiocesan tradition, which once brought people from every corner of the Archdiocese together during the tenure of the late His Eminence Archbishop Iakovos, was joyfully resurrected by His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America. The Gala, following its original model, sought to raise funds for a worthy cause within the Archdiocese. In its renewed form, the Archbishop’s…
Source: Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America Holy Eparchial Synod New York, November 3, 2023 Communique His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America presided over a special session of the Holy Eparchial Synod today, which is being held in conjunction to this weekend’s Archdiocesan Council meeting in New York, in order to review ongoing affairs concerning the life of the Church. The Archbishop began the meeting by welcoming all the hierarchs who were physically present as well as those who were participating via teleconference. Thereafter, the Holy Eparchial Synod: Accepted the proposal of the Third Monastic Synaxis…
Source: Orthodox Christian Laity The 36th Annual Meeting of the Orthodox Christian Laity (OCL) took place on October 20, 2023, in the beautiful Library of Saints Peter and Paul Greek Orthodox Church in Glenview, IL. The 3-hour meeting, presided over by President Bill Souvall, covered a range of important topics, including Orthodox Christian unity, financial reports, and board development. Here’s a summary of the key points from the meeting: Prayer for Orthodox Unity: The meeting began with a prayer for Orthodox Unity in America, emphasizing the importance of the unity of the Orthodox Christian community in America, spiritually and administratively.…
Source: Peter Anderson, Seattle USA The Holy Synod of the Orthodox Church of Moldova (OCM) met on October 25. The minutes of this meeting can be read at (link) However, before considering these minutes, it is helpful to review various events occurring prior to the meeting. On September 5, Metropolitan Vladimir of Chișinău and All Moldova sent a very strong letter to Patriarch Kirill with a long list of grievances. An English translation of the letter was provided in my last newsletter. See (link) (20 October 2023). The authenticity of this leaked letter has not been denied by either the Moscow Patriarchate or by the…
Source: Orthodox Christian Prison Ministry South Canaan, Pennsylvania — Orthodox Christian Prison Ministry (OCPM) and St. Tikhon’s Orthodox Theological Seminary (STOTS) have partnered together to create the new Certificate Program in Prison Ministry, the first program of its kind in the United States. The Certificate Program in Prison Ministry provides clergy and lay volunteers that are interested in prison ministry the opportunity to gain knowledge and experience to effectively lead and support people in prison. Students will learn from the most experienced chaplains and volunteers in Orthodox prison ministry in the country. “In such a specialized ministry, there has been a need…
Source: Orthodox Church in America MUNDELEIN, IL [OCA] – Almost 120 bishops and priests from across the Orthodox Church in America (OCA) participated in the National Clergy Retreat from October 17-20, 2023, at the University of Saint Mary of the Lake Conference Center in Mundelein, Illinois. The retreat was sponsored by the OCA Office of Pastoral Life as an opportunity for fellowship, prayer and education for priests and bishops. Between sessions, clergy enjoyed conversation, fellowship and the beautiful grounds of the University of Saint Mary of the Lake. As His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon indicated in his remarks at the last dinner, “We are participating in…
Source: Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America From the Patriarchate of Antioch The Fathers of the Holy Synod of Antioch raise fervent prayers to the King of Peace and Lord of Mercies to wipe away every tear from the eyes of the Palestinian people, and to remove all injustice, oppression, homelessness and displacement. They call on all their children to consecrate next Sunday in all the parishes of the Antiochian See for raising prayers that God may grant justice and peace in the land of peace, and to collect aid donations to relieve this afflicted people. Understanding that the…
Source: U.S. Religion Census The book, “U.S. Religion Census: Religious Congregations & Adherents,” is now available for download free of charge at: https://www.usreligioncensus.org/sites/default/files/2023-10/2020_US_Religion_Census.pdf This unique publication offers national, state, and county-level information and statistics on congregations and membership for 372 religious groups, including fourteen Eastern Orthodox and nine Oriental Orthodox Churches. The book’s ten chapters examine various aspects of church life in America and can also be downloaded individually at: https://www.usreligioncensus.org/node/1638 These chapters include: Quick Answers to Important Questions from the U.S. Religion Census Historical Efforts to Collect U.S. Data on Religious Congregations Trends in Adherents Data: 2010-2020 Patterns of Historical and Organizational Events and Conflict…