Source: Orthodox Church in America
BALTIMORE, MD [IOCC] With the season of Great Lent upon us, International Orthodox Christian Charities recently released a printed booklet of weekly reflections on the theme of service as a vocation.
Designed for use by Orthodox Christians during the Great Fast, the booklet opens with a message on “the work of love” from His Eminence, Metropolitan Nicolae of the Romanian Orthodox Metropolia of the Americas, liaison bishop to IOCC from the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States of America.
Reflections follow for each Sunday of Lent, penned by IOCC staff members based in the United States and in overseas field offices. The contributors, women and men who have chosen careers in the humanitarian sector, share ways their daily work is an offering of Christian service and a humbling experience of God’s love for all humankind.
“Saint Maximus the Confessor teaches that we find God as we comprehend His love for us and learn to love each other,” His Eminence writes. Each staffer’s brief reflection brings a unique perspective to the idea of service as almsgiving. The personal approach invites readers to collaborate with the women and men of IOCC in service, working to meet the physical and emotional needs of people facing hardship.
Copies of the booklet may be requested by calling 877.803.4622 or by sending an email to relief@iocc.org. A digital version also is available for downloading.
IOCC is the humanitarian and development agency of the Assembly of Canonical Bishops of the United States of America. Since its inception in 1992, IOCC has provided more than $661 million in humanitarian relief and sustainable development programs in over 60 countries worldwide. Today, IOCC applies its expertise in humanitarian response to human-caused and natural crises in Africa, Europe, the Middle East, and the United States, offering assistance based solely on need.
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Editor’s Note (Archival Content)
This article is part of the Orthodox Christian Laity archives and reflects the context, concerns, and discussions present at the time of its original publication. It is made available here for historical reference and ongoing study. Readers should note that perspectives, circumstances, and ecclesial developments may have evolved since its initial release.