From the Worldwide Faith News archives www.wfn.org
OCMC HONORED AND BLESSED BY OFFICIAL VISIT OF HIERARCHS AND
From
Worldwide Faith News <wfn@igc.org>
Date
Thu, 27 Feb 2003 19:01:32 -0800
SCOBA
The Standing Conference of the Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the
Americas
8 East 79th Street, New York, NY 10021
OCMC HONORED AND BLESSED BY OFFICIAL VISIT OF HIERARCHS AND FAITHFUL
February 26, 2003
On Saturday, February 22, 2003 the Orthodox Christian Mission Center was
blessed by the presence of His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America,
three Metropolitans, the founding director of the Mission Center and
members of the Archbishop Iakovos Leadership 100 Endowment Fund.
Archbishop Demetrios, Primate of the Greek Orthodox Church in America and
Chairman of the Standing Conference of Canonical Orthodox Bishops, along
with Metropolitan Iakovos of Chicago, Metropolitan Anthony of San
Francisco, Metropolitan Alexios of Atlanta, Bishop Dimitrios of Xanthos and
70 members of Leadership 100 made an official visit to the Orthodox
Christian Mission Center in St. Augustine, Florida. The visit was in
conjunction with the 12(superscript: th) Annual Leadership 100 Conference
which was held February 19-23 in Amelia Island, Florida.
Leadership 100 is a group of benefactors who are dedicated to seeding and
nurturing ministries that advance the Orthodox faith. The Orthodox
Christian Mission Center is the second largest recipient of grants from
Leadership 100, having received over $700,000 for the establishment and
support of various missions programs.
"This visit was a great encouragement for all of us at the Mission Center,"
said Father Martin Ritsi, OCMC's Executive Director. "We are honored and
strengthened by the visitation of the Archbishop and the other hierarchs
along with the members of Leadership 100 who came to see the Mission
Center."
Small group tours of the Mission Center were followed by refreshments and a
general welcome by Fr. Martin Ritsi. His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios
then addressed all those present with words of thanks, encouragement and
endorsement for the ministries of OCMC.
"We all have to grow in our understanding of how missions are essential to
the faith of Orthodox Christianity and not just an appendix." His Eminence
said to those present. "Much of the work being done here at the Mission
Center is made possible by the investment and support of donors like you."
Through out his talk the Archbishop presented different parts of the world
involved in missions. He spoke first about Korea, praising it as a
"wonderful modern example of mission work". He spoke about the exciting
growth being seen all over Africa especially supported by OCMC's Support A
Mission Priest program. His Eminence also spoke of the good work being done
in places like Albania by missionaries and mission teams.
For many of the guests this was their first visit to the Orthodox Christian
Mission Center. As the people left they expressed excitement and interest
in seeing the depth and extent of OCMC's ministry to bring the message of
Christ's salvation and love to the ends of the earth.
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