June 26, 1927 – July 25, 2012 Dr. James Counelis, a distinguished academician, a respected Orthodox Christian Scholar and a good friend and supporter of the Orthodox Christian Laity since its founding 25 years ago, recently passed way at the family home in Orinda, California. Upon learning of his passing, Metropolitan Gerasimos of the Metropolis of San Francisco stated; “Dr. Counelis was a devout Orthodox Christian who was loved and respected by his family, friends and colleagues for his strong work ethic, gentle demeanor, quiet wisdom, and giving heart. He led a full and rich life, and is now receiving…
Browsing: Orthodox Christian Laity
Nicholas Marinides gave a short talk on Piety of the Laity in Byzantium at the Library of Congress as part of the 25th Anniversary Program honoring the founding of Orthodox Christian Laity. The paper offers insights that are of interest to all concerned about the renewal of the Church in America. OCL invites thoughtful responses from the People of God who want to respond to this essay. [gview height=”900″ file=”https://ocl.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/Marinides-Nicholas.pdf”]
Susan W. Haikalis of Walnut Creek, California was elected President of the Orthodox Christian Laity (OCL) at their 25th Annual Conference in Washington DC this month. Ms. Haikalis is a convert to Orthodoxy and has been involved in a number of groups supporting Administrative Unity of Orthodox Jurisdictions in the US. She participated in Boston with the original GOAL organization and has actively participated in attending OCL meetings for the past 15 years both contributing to discussions and educational programs as well as supporting her husband, Peter Haikalis, in his own leadership in OCL. Ms. Haikalis strongly believes that achieving…
Source: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops The North American Orthodox-Catholic Theological Consultation Saint Paul’s College, Washington, DC October 27, 2012 Recovering the theological significance of Sunday is fundamental to rebalancing our lives. As Orthodox and Catholics, we share a theological view of Sunday and so our purpose in this statement is four-fold: to offer a caring response to what is not just a human, but also a theological question; to add a little more volume to the growing chorus of Christian voices trying to be heard in the din of our non-stop worklife; to offer brief reflections in hopes…
Source: Christian Newswire WASHINGTON, Oct. 20, 2012 /Christian Newswire/ — Orthodox Christian Laity will hold its 25th Anniversary in Washington, D.C., October 25-27 with a focus on the Orthodox Christian experience in America and the pressing need for Orthodox unity among its various jurisdictions. “We have assembled a wide arrange of Orthodox hierarchy, clergy and laity who will examine the Orthodox Christian experience in America and suggest various visions for the future. OCL strongly believes and has advocated during its 25 year history that an essential part of any future vision must include unification of the Orthodox faithful in our…
Jim Koulogeorge, 1988 Jim Koulogeorge served as Orthodox Christian Laity’s first president. He had concerns regarding the concepts of accountability and oversight in matters of Church governance, based on events that occurred in 1987 within the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese. He approached Andy Kopan, a close friend and a respected scholar and churchman, to discuss his concerns. Jim then held an initial brainstorming meeting at his home at 4019 Crestwood Drive in Northbrook, Illinois. This meeting was followed by a second organizational meeting which was held at Saints Peter and Paul Orthodox Church in Glenview, Illinois. About thirty people from throughout…
Orthodox Christian Laity (OCL) presents the Project for Orthodox Renewal: Seven studies of Key Issues Facing Orthodox Christians in America. This publication enables OCL to fulfill its mission of providing the “royal priesthood” of believers, clergy, hierarchy, and other Christians with information that fosters meaningful discussion on renewal of the Orthodox Church in the United States. Originally published in 1993. Edited by Steven J. Sfekas and George E. Matsoukas.
Research by Rev. Fr. Charles Joanides, Ph.D., LMFT indicates an alarming demographic trend in American Orthodoxy that applies to all jurisdictions: we are losing our youth. Below are presentations and links to more articles where Fr. Joanides quantifies these trends and suggest how ministry to interfaith couples is essential for the future viability of Orthodoxy in America. Most of the information can be found on the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese website and deals with trends in the GOA. Nevertheless, it is clear that the decline in young people in American Orthodoxy affects more than the GOA. Presentation to Leadership 100 Part…
Our Orthodox Past – Our Orthodox Present – Our Orthodox Future WHEN: Weekend of Thursday, October 25, Friday, October 26 & Saturday, October 27, 2012. WHERE: Savoy Hotel, 2505 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington DC MAKE RESERVATIONS TODAY: SPECIAL OCL RATE Call 800-944-5377 (Call before Sept. 23 for OCL Rate + weekend events subject to change) St Nicholas Cathedral Library of Congress George Washington University, Mt. Vernon Campus Schedule Thursday, October 25, 2012 9:00 am St. Nicholas Cathedral (3500 Massachusetts Ave, Washington DC). Hierarchical Liturgy celebrated by His Eminence Archbishop Nathaniel (Archbishop of Detroit and the Romanian Episcopate; Locum Tenens of the Metropolitan See of the Orthodox Church in America),…
As part of the celebration of the 25th anniversary of the Orthodox Christian Laity, we present to you a two part video interview: A Vision of A Unified Church In North America – with Archbishop Nathaniel of Detroit. Recorded at the 20th Annual Meeting of OCL, November 2007. Part 1 Part 2
OCL is an educational and an advocacy ministry, which has, for a quarter of a century advocated for Orthodox Unity and transparency and accountability in Church Governance. OCL welcomes the statement issued by the Holy Synod of the Orthodox Church in America regarding the resignation of Metropolitan Jonah, which appears to strike a balance between the sensitivity of the matters contained in the statement and the legitimate needs of the faithful to be informed about issues of importance. As all of the facts become known, and law enforcement agencies take appropriate measures to deal with matters referred to them, OCL…