Browsing: OCL News

Recent events, relevant news and important historical events.

Musings of The Executive Director – Pastoral Letter of His Eminence, Metropolitan Isaiah

By Webmaster on September 30, 2018 Governance & Unity Essays, Governance & Unity News, OCL News, Orthodox Christian Laity

Source: Orthodox Christian Laity I would like to share this pastoral letter sent to Orthodox Christian Laity by His Eminence Metropolitan Isaiah of Denver as OCL gathers in Cleveland October 17-20 for its 31 Annual Meeting. His letter provides the opportunity to thank all the dedicated supporters past and present who served and continue to serve on the board and advisory board of OCL. Board members serve at their own expense and contribute $1,000 yearly to support the organization. Without their prayers, time, talent and resources, we could not continue our ministry. We are especially grateful to the hierarchs and…

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By Webmaster on August 30, 2018 OCL News, Orthodox Christian Laity

Source: Orthodox Christian Laity Orthodox Christian Laity (OCL) is the only Pan-Orthodox lay organization in America doing what we do. We have not deviated from the mission and goals stated in our initial informational brochure published in 1989. We are recognized throughout the Orthodox World. OCL provides information and inspiration on: the issues of meaningful lay participation in Church governance; Orthodox Unity in America; and Transparency and Accountability in Church governance. OCL is not a “reform” movement seeking to change the dogma and transcendental truths of Orthodoxy. OCL is neither a “Pro-life” movement nor a “Clergy sexual abuse” organization, nor a…

Jeffrey A Semon

Estate of Jeffrey Semon

By Webmaster on August 20, 2018 OCL News, Orthodox Christian Laity

Source: Orthodox Christian Laity Orthodox Christian Laity prayerfully remembers and honors the memory of the Servant of God, Jeffrey Semon of Monroe, Connecticut, who fell asleep in the Lord 2017. Mr. Semon was a supporter of Orthodox Christian Laity and honored our mission by remembering OCL in his will. May His Memory be Eternal! Twenty four people and organizations were named in his estate. We are grateful and thankful to be one of the recipients of his gifts.

Mr George Matsoukas, Executive Director (left), Mr George Karcazes, President (right) sitting with Mrs Roula Karcazes and Irene Tziforos.

Meet George Matsoukas and George Karcazes of Orthodox Christian Laity (OCL)

By Webmaster on August 14, 2018 OCL News, Orthodox Christian Laity, Orthodox News, Orthodox News Top Stories

Source: Voyage Chicago Magazine Today we’d like to introduce you to George Matsoukas and George Karcazes. Orthodox Christian Laity is a movement and catalyst supported and founded by laypersons who are members of the Orthodox Christian faith. In the United States, the Orthodox Christian faith is seen as a fragmented, ethnic Church made up of 14 different ethnic jurisdictions… i.e. Greek, Russian Romanian, Serbian, Antiochian, etc. In reality, they are one faith and have been in the USA for over 200 years. Missionary Russian monks, led by St Herman of Alaska, established the Orthodox Mission in Kodiak, Alaska in 1794.…

Sophia P. Karakas

Sophia Karakas: Devoted Supporter of Orthodox Christian Laity

By Webmaster on June 21, 2018 OCL News, Orthodox Christian Laity

Source: Lupton Chapel Sophia P. Karakas, of Ladue, MO, and Naples, FL, passed away peacefully to the Lord at the age of 93, on Friday, June 15, 2018, surrounded by her family. Daughter of the late William K. and Olga Peppes; beloved wife for 67 years of Nick Karakas; loving mother of Angela and Margaret Karakas (Court Courtney); sister of the late Martha Karides (the late Spiro Karides) and the late Gregory Peppes (the late Vito); sister-in-law of Tony Karakas (the late Linda) and Frances Dimetre (the late George); sweet aunt to many nieces and nephews, and dear grandmother. Sophia…

Bishop Michael Curry’s Full Sermon from the Royal Wedding

By Webmaster on May 19, 2018 OCL News, Orthodox Christian Laity

Source: The New York Times ‘There’s power in love’: Read the words of the presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church in the United States, who spoke at the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. By Margaret Lyons, Anna Schaverien and Jonah Engel Bromwich Keep your fascinators, tiaras, regalia and romance. What if the surprise biggest star — the Pippa Middleton, if you will — of this royal wedding was a sermon about love? Michael Bruce Curry, the presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church in the United States, delivered a searing, soaring 13-minute speech, imploring Christians to put love at the center of their…

George Karcazes (left) and George Matsoukas (right) at DePaul University's Richardson LIbrary.

Board Members Visit OCL Archives at DePaul University Library

By Webmaster on March 30, 2018 OCL News, Orthodox Christian Laity

Source: Orthodox Christian Laity On March 25, 2018, George Karcazes (President) and George Matsoukas (Executive Director) visited the Orthodox Christian Laity Archives housed in the Special Collections Community Archives of Richardson Library located on the main downtown campus of DePaul University, Chicago, IL. They discussed the contents of the 34 boxes of materials and how emails and digital media can become part of the collection. An overview of the collection can be accessed at: https://libguides.depaul.edu/ld.php?content_id=10135894.

Newly-enthroned Metropolitan Nathanael blesses the congregation

OCL Board Members Attend Enthronement of Metropolitan Nathanael

By Webmaster on March 26, 2018 Governance & Unity News, Governance Top Stories, OCL News, Orthodox Christian Laity

Source: Orthodox Christian Laity OCL President, George Karcazes and Executive Director, George Matsoukas, along with other members, attended the Enthronement of Metropolitan Nathanael at Annunciation Cathedral in Chicago on Saturday, March 23, 2018, and received the new Metropolitan’s blessing of the congregation.

OCL Winter Board Meeting – February 8-10, 2018 – Scottsdale, AZ

By Webmaster on February 7, 2018 OCL News, Orthodox Christian Laity, Orthodox News, Orthodox News Top Stories

Source: Orthodox Christian Laity The OCL winter board meeting is taking place at the Franciscan Retreat Center, 5802 E Lincoln Drive Scottsdale AZ. Feb 8-10. In addition to to discussions of the agenda board members will learn more about the International Orthodox Theological Association (IOTA) from its Director, Dr. Paul Gavrilyuk.

Nicholas E. Nicholau, Former Board Member and OCL FORUM Newsletter Editor, has fallen asleep in the Lord

By Webmaster on December 16, 2017 OCL News, Orthodox Christian Laity

Source: Orthodox Christian Laity Nick peacefully departed this life at 10:00 am Saturday, December 9, 2017, after a long and brave struggle with several increasingly debilitating strokes. The funeral was held on Friday, December 15th, at Saints Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church, Palos Hills, IL, his home parish which he served selflessly in so many capacities: Altar Boy captain; Parish Council member; Youth Advisor; Sunday School teacher; Festival assistant, etc. Nick was a U.S. Army Veteran having served in Korea during the Korean War. An ardent supporter of OCL, he served as an early editor of OCL’s Forum newsletter…

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All articles represent the views of the authors and not necessarily the official views of Orthodox Christian Laity (OCL). They are posted to encourage thoughtful discussion on topics and concerns relevant to Orthodox Christians living in a pluralistic society. OCL encourages your comments.
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