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.
Browsing: Orthodox Christian Laity
Source: Orthodox Christian Laity For thirty-one years, Orthodox Christian Laity (OCL) has been the voice crying in the wilderness. The cry has been for renewal of our ancient, apostolic faith within our pluralistic, American, cultural context. The hallmarks of this renewal are characterized by the de-tribalization of the separate Orthodox Christian jurisdictions that evolved here, so that they could work in canonical unity; administer the Church in ways that are accountable and transparent; and respect and include the input of the laity in matters of administration, governance and our journey together as a community of faithful. OCL has not wavered…
Source: Orthodox Christian Laity State of Orthodoxy in the U.S.A. Orthodox Christian Laity (OCL) completed its 30 years of service calling for transparency, accountability, unity and advocating to maintain the voice of the laity as an equal in the administrative life of the Orthodox Church, thereby contributing to Church renewal. As we have seen and experienced in 2017, disrespect and disregard for this principle has contributed to the disorder, financial mismanagement and disunity that has furthered the decline of Orthodoxy in the USA. The census statistics, surveys, research on the status of growth, retention and development confirm this decline. Since…
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…
Source: Orthodox Christian Laity “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8) Orthodox Christian Laity (OCL) was organized 30 years ago in the Northbrook, Illinois home of Jim and Mary Koulogeorge. Orthodox Christians from different parts of the USA gathered, because they had concerns about accountability and oversight in matters of Church governance based on events occurring in the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese during the 1980’s. Together, they established an independent, educational ministry, dedicated to promoting renewal in the Orthodox Christian Church. By 1993, the blueprint for such a renewal was published in book form as Project…
Here we are at year end, ready to celebrate Christmas, a New Year and the Epiphany Season. A glorious and busy time. A time of celebration! It is also the time to begin looking ahead, preparing to organize our personal affairs for the income tax season. This is the time of year when non-profit, tax-exempt groups like Orthodox Christian Laity ask their supporters to consider a year-end gift to help us plan for 2018. Next year will be our 31st year advocating for a strong voice of the laity in the administrative and spiritual life of the Church. 2017 has…
Rev. Dr. Frank Marangos – FINDING OUR VOICE: Orthodox Leadership for the 21st Century Rev. Fr. Hans Jacobse – THE CHALLENGE OF SECULARISM IN THE LOCAL PARISH Dr Frances Kostarelos, PhD – RELIGIOUS PLURALISM & FUNDAMENTALISM & CONTESTED IDENTITIES IN THE GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH IN AMERICA His Grace, Bishop PAUL (Gassios) PROGRESS AND PROSPECT OF THE WORK OF THE ASSEMBLY OF BISHOPS AS THEY WORK OF THE UNITY OF THE ORTHODOX IN THE USA AND CANONICAL GOOD ORDER Thanks to John Maddex of Ancient Faith Ministries for recording the sessions and making them available!
Holy Resurrection Serbian Orthodox Cathedral in Chicago, Illinois is the setting for the Conference held on Saturday, October 28, 2017. Theme: “Orthodox Christianity in America: Where are we Going? The presentations will soon be available on Ancient Faith Radio and the OCL website. Please check back for updates. CLICK HERE to view the power point presentation of Fr Frank Marangos’ presentation: Finding Our Voice: Orthodox Leadership for the 21st Century. View the photo gallery below: OCL Celebrates 30 Years with Joy, Gratitude, Fellowship and Thoughful, Relevant Presentations
Source: Orthodox Christian Laity The eighth gathering of the Assembly of Bishops of the USA took place in Garfield, New Jersey, on October 3-5, 2017. Thirty-two Bishops out of the 52 Bishops were present. The Assemblies were authorized in 2008, and it is now 2017. They were authorized by all the Patriarchs and Autonomous Heads of Orthodox Churches with the charge to make the uncanonical structure in the lands beyond the ancient Roman Empire canonical. In the United States, there exist 14 parallel jurisdictions based on ethnicity and managed by Patriarchs in foreign lands. The exception is the Orthodox Church…
Source: Orthodox Christian Laity The Recognition Programs Coordinator of iUniverse has informed George E. Matsoukas that his book, A Church in Captivity: The Greek Orthodox Church of America, is now part of the Reader’s Choice Recognition Program. Upon its publication in July 2008, iUniverse honored the publication with its selection as an Editor’s Choice book. The book is also included in the Spring Arbor database catalog of Christian Bookstore vendors. Reviews of “A Church in Captivity: The Greek Orthodox Church of America” “These personal essays … are recommended reading for any … Christian interested in the perspective of an objective protagonist of recent Orthodox Church history in America. The author is to…
Source: Ancient Faith Ministries OCL Executive Director George Matsoukas and President George Karcazes talk about the 30th Anniversary program. CLICK HERE to listen to the interview.
Source: Orthodox Christian Laity How is it possible that in 2017, almost a thousand years after the fall of Constantinople to the Ottoman Turks, the leadership of the Orthodox Church in the world, but especially in the United States, continues to operate as though it is still a part of the Eastern half of the Roman Empire? Our Churches have “Bishop’s Thrones” that were long-ago erected for the Emperor to sit upon. Our Hierarchs carry miters, and wear robes and crowns evocative of long-gone Emperors. While nostalgically retaining some of these displays and accoutrements may not in themselves be harmful;…