Browsing: OCL News

St Ignatius Orthodox Church Cultural Center April 10-12, 2013 Wednesday Evening, April 10, OCL Board Members attended the Lenten Pre-Sanctified Liturgy at the new Sanctuary of St Ignatius and following the Liturgy participated in a fellowship pot-luck dinner. Father Stephen Rogers greeted His Eminence Archbishop Nathaniel and the OCL Board. The 25th Anniversary video was shown to the group and a short introduction to the work of OCL was presented by President Susan Haikalis. A highlight of the Lenten Pre-Sanctified Liturgy was sharing the service with many families and their children of all ages. Formal Board meeting convened at the…

Approved Minutes [WASHINGTON, D.C.] Wednesday, October 24 at 6:30 pm dinner meeting begins at Savoy Hotel.  Those present included: George Karcazes, Andy Kartalis, His Eminence Archbishop Nathaniel, His Grace Bishop Mark, Alice Kopan, Chis Xeros, Peter Marudas, Bill Souvall, Peter J Petkas, George Pontikes, George Matsoukas, Guest was Joel Kalvesmaki, a member of the web oversight committee. The first item of discussion was about the revised web site.  Alice Kopan started discussion by stating that the purpose of the web site overhaul is to attract youth. Who is our audience?  How will we measure this objective?  A history of the…

Anastasia Tsotsoura suddenly fell asleep in the Lord on Tuesday, May 21, 2013.   We learned of her passing on the day of her funeral, May 25, which took place at Holy Cross Orthodox Church in Whitestone, New York.  She is resting next to her beloved husband Soterios in Flushing Cemetery.   They were both devoted Orthodox Christians and founding members of Orthodox Christian Laity.  Her passions were her family, her faith and painting.  She touched so many of us with her example of being pure in heart – a woman of noble character.  She personifies the example of a wife and…

Dear Faithful Members, Friends and Supporters of Orthodox Christian Laity, The Orthodox Christian Laity (OCL) brand has had a makeover.  We have developed a state-of-the-art, interactive and cost-effective website.  We encourage you to comment on the content and invite you to add your point of view.  OCL also has a new logo.  Its colors and symbolism signify that Orthodoxy in America is Christ-centered, unified, diverse and cooperative. By means of its conciliar governance ethos, Orthodoxy is maturing into a self-governing sister Church fulfilling the Great Commission of Jesus Christ. In 2013, I am blessed to be serving as your President…

The OCL Board of Directors will be meeting in Franklin, Tennessee on April 10-12, 2013.  They will be attending the Pre-sanctified Liturgy on Wednesday Evening, April 10, at the new St. Ignatius Church and will discuss the work of OCL and the Progress of the Assembly of Bishops at the fellowship supper.  The board will conduct its business meeting Thursday and Friday.  President Susan Haikalis is presiding.  Franklin TN is the home parish of Advisory Board Member Father Gordon Walker, and it will be an honor to be with him in his home community.   OCL’s focus this year is helping the faithful understand that…

Source:  Orthodox Evangelist Newsletter Great is the mystery of holiness! In 1976, I was impressed hearing Fr. Eusebius (Stephanou) preach for the first time in Winnipeg, Canada.  When I returned to Greece in 1982, he was speaking in Athens and I attended the meeting.  Thirty years later, while I had forgotten all about the man, I had come across one of his books.  And after fourteen months we have translated almost all of his books and many of his articles into the Greek language.  We have already translated and printed two books and are in the process of publishing two…

Dear Friends of OCL, I am writing to you all during this Lenten Season with a special request, one that does not involve money but rather a bit of your time. Please join me in offering a special prayer asking God’s help in enlightening the hierarchs and leadership of all Orthodox jurisdictions in America so that they move forward with their deliberations regarding the establishment of a unified Orthodox Church in America. I realize that we as individuals have little control as to how the work of our leaders proceeds except through the power of prayer and our actions at…

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Our Logo CHRIST CENTERED At the center of the logo is a cross. It represents OCL’s commitment to keep the gospel of Christ and His Church at the center of the organization’s ministry efforts. The cross is the compass for the organization, steering it toward ministry opportunities that elevate the gospel and strengthen the Church. UNITY The silhouette of the circle reiterates that the church is and must be one, just as Christ has one body, undivided. The concept of oneness permeates every part of the organization’s mission and ministry. Most explicitly, the organization’s promotion of jurisdictional unity in North…

(West Palm Beach, FL) Susan W. Haikalis, President of the Orthodox Christian Laity, finds Michael Jaharis’ (Vice Chair of the Archdiocese Council) overview on the State of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese, an essential starting point for assessing and re-evaluating the administration of the Greek Orthodox Church in America, the education of the clergy for our future and the assimilation of monasticism into an organized structure of the Church. These issues are especially relevant in the context of looking to a time of administrative unity of Orthodoxy in the United States. Mr. Jaharis has put before us some issues that need…

As the year comes to an end, we wish you a Blessed and Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! The December Issue of Estiator “The Restaurateur” Magazine (www.estiator.com), an excellent monthly trade publication of the Greek-American Food Industry, published and edited by Peter S. Makrias and designed and produced by Vicky Tsavalias, carries an article (“Orthodox Christian Laity Celebrates 25 Years of Service”) summarizing the outstanding Program celebrated at the end of October in honor of Orthodox Christian Laity’s 25th Anniversary. The high point of the Anniversary Year is the “Gramota” (Official Certificate of Merit) signed by the Synod of Bishops…

Source: A.J. Desmond & Sons Funeral Directors July 4, 1922 – December 12, 2012 Resided in Naples, FL Basil Constantine Foussianes – Totally dedicated and always loving Husband, Father, Grandfather and Friend. Basil “Bill” Foussianes cherished his family and his church, going to any length to serve both. He wanted nothing more than to see his children succeed, build their own families, and enjoy life. He loved lively conversation, had many lifelong friends and possessed a wonderful sense of humor and appreciation of life. He died peacefully with his wife of 57 years, Irene, and children by his side in…