GREEK ORTHODOX ARCHDIOCESE OF AMERICA 8-10 East 79th St. New York, NY 10075-0106 Tel: (212) 570-3530 Fax: (212) 774-0215 Web: http://www.goarch.org Email: communications@goarch.org
Greek Orthodox Archdiocese E-Bulletin March 7, 2008
This is the weekly edition of the GOA E-Bulletin. For more information just click on the links below to go to the topics of interest to you.
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SUNDAY OF CHEESEFARE ? BEGIINNING OF LENT: This Sunday is Cheesefare or the Sunday of Forgiveness, the last day of the Triodion Period. Great Lent begins on Monday. Resources for this Sunday, including background information, hymns, icons, and much more can be found at
http://lent.goarch.org/forgiveness/learn/
LENTEN RESOURCES AVAILABLE: Lenten resources are available online at the special Great Lent, Holy Week and Pascha website. Find readings, articles and sermons, bulletin inserts, prayers and services, and much more. Links will be available in the e-bulletin throughout the Lenten and Paschal seasons.
MISSION SUNDAY, MARCH 9: Every year the Standing Conference of Canonical Orthodox Bishops in All America (SCOBA) designates Cheesefare Sunday, the day before Lent begins, for all Orthodox Churches under SCOBA to remember the sacred work of missions and the ministry of the Orthodox Christian Mission Center (OCMC). Resources for Mission Sunday include bulletin inserts, lesson plans, a special encyclical, and more. These are available online at
http://www.ocmc.org/involve.php?page=131
OUTREACH RESOURCES FOR LENT AND HOLY WEEK: This website of the Department of Outreach and Evangelism will provide you with resources for sharing the themes, services, and journey of Great Lent and Holy Week with others. Download brochures and sermons, order a Lenten Welcome Banner, and much more at
http://www.goarch.org/en/archdiocese/departments/outreach/greatlent.asp
NEW DISTANCE LEARNING PROGRAM BEGINS: The Department of Religious Education is beginning a pilot distance learning program. Living Great Lent taught by Rev. Dr. Alkiviadis Calivas will be available on-line at http://learn.goarch.org/moodle beginning February 19. Participants will need to register on-line to have access to the five video presentations by Fr. Calivas, a series of readings, and questions for discussion. The course will be facilitated by Dr. Anton C. Vrame, Director of the Department of Religious Education, and Rev. Dn. Markos Nickolas, a doctoral candidate in pastoral theology at Boston University. While an individual can register for the course, the course is designed for groups that can meet to discuss the presentations and readings. The course material will be available from February 19 to April 4 to encourage learners and groups to complete the five session program within seven weeks. Fr. Calivas is Professor emeritus of Liturgy at Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology. After the course has ended, the pilot program of the Department of Religious Education will be evaluated in order to begin a larger distance learning program in the fall. For more information contact the Department of Religious Education, 617-850-1218.
SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS ONLINE: Application materials are now available for the George and Naouma Gioles Scholarship and the Katina John Malta Scholarship programs. Also available are materials for the Paleologos Graduate Scholarship program. Awards range from $1500 to $2000 for undergraduates and up to $10,000 for graduate students. Applications and guidelines can be accessed on the website of the Office of the Chancellor at
http://www.goarch.org/en/archdiocese/administration/chancellor/scholarships. asp
NATIONAL ORTHODOX RADIO PROGRAMS: On this week's Come Receive the Light, THE NATIONAL ORTHODOX RADIO PROGRAM, Fr. Chris will be speaking with Fr. Steven Freeman about the relationship between Confession and Lent. Don't forget, this program and many others are available any time on The Ark and The Rudder at MYOCN.NET. On Special Moments in Orthodoxy, Fr. David Gill will continue his study on "The Very Damaged Person: Essential Psychiatric Knowledge for a Priest Exercising Spiritual Care, Part 2," and on Theologically Thinking, we'll hear from Fr. Ken Anthony. The ARKâ??s Featured Artist Block highlights the artistry of Ron Moore, as well as Jason Barker's podcast "Get Wisdom #18."
Each day on The ARK and The RUDDER you can hear a different show from â??The Best of Come Receive the Light,â?? featuring favorite interviews from past episodes of CRTL. During March 10 - 14 we will be playing "The Difference Between Fasting and Dieting" (3/10), "Man of Faith" (3/11), "Sacred Space and Architecture" (3/12), "The Nicene Creed" (3/13), and "Orthodox Children Literature" (3/14).
ARCHON NEWSLETTER ONLINE: The January-February 2008 issue of 'The Archon' Newsletter is now available in PDF format on the Archon web site at www.archons.org/newsletter. This bi-monthly publication is the official newsletter of The Order of Saint Andrew and covers important information on the fight for religious freedom for the Ecumenical Patriarchate, including summaries of meetings and activities that are held by the Archons.
2008 ARCHDIOCESE YEARBOOK NOW ONLINE: The 2008 edition of the Yearbook of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America is now available on the Archdiocese website. The book includes directories of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the Archdiocese and Metropolises, Parishes and Clergy, National Ministries, Departments, Institutions, and Related Agencies and Organizations. Printed copies of the Yearbook will be shipping soon, with each parish receiving two complimentary copies. Additional copies can be ordered from the Dept. of Communications by calling 212-774-0244.
http://www.goarch.org/en/archdiocese/yearbook/
Copies can be purchased online at the Orthodox Marketplace at http://www.orthodoxmarketplace.com
IONIAN VILLAGE REGISTRATION NOW OPEN: Please visit www.ionianvillage.org and download a registration packet. Register before March 7th to receive the Early Bird Discount rate! Summer Travel Camp: June 27 through July 17th - Byzantine Venture: July 26th through August 14th - Both sessions open to campers who have completed 7th through 12th grade.
OCMC RESPONDS TO CRISIS IN KENYA: Hundreds of Kenyans have lost their lives, and hundreds of thousands more have lost their homes, as a result of the recent violence that erupted in the wake of contested presidential elections that were held in Kenya on December 27th. Learn more about the response of Orthodox Christians to the needs and challenges in Kenya and about how you can help.
LATEST UPDATES ABOUT THE 2008 ORATORICAL FESTIVAL: The Oratorical Festival, now entering its 25th year, provides young people an opportunity to research, prepare, and deliver a speech on topics related to their Greek Orthodox faith and heritage. To view the latest press release and other information about the festival, including the 2008 topics, tips & bibliography visit:
http://www.goarch.org/en/archdiocese/departments/religioused/sjcof.asp
IONIAN VILLAGE IS ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR STAFF: Ionian Village is now accepting staff applications! Ionian Village staff members have a unique opportunity to play an important role in the spiritual, cultural and social development of Orthodox teens from all over the U.S. as they travel to the most significant religious and cultural sites in Greece! To learn more and how you can apply visit
RESOURCES FROM THE ORTHODOX MARKETPLACE: The Orthodox Marketplace now offers books and materials from the Family Ministries, Youth and Young Adult Ministries, and Greek Education departments. You can preorder "The Planner 2007-2008" by visiting http://www.orthodoxmarketplace.com/product.php?productid=18930 . The tabletop prayer guide for families is also available online at http://www.orthodoxmarketplace.com/product.php?productid=19024 . The entire Greek Education catalog can be visited on-line at http://www.orthodoxmarketplace.com/home.php?cat=547 . The Orthodox Marketplace is the official on-line store of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese. Please visit and encourage others to support the Orthodox Marketplace site as well.
SUPPORT THE ARCHDIOCESE WHILE SEARCHING THE WEB: The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese has partnered with GoodSearch.com, a new search engine that donates half its revenue, about a penny per search, to the charities its users designate. You use it just as you would any search engine, and it's powered by Yahoo!, so you get great results. To use GoodSearch.com and support the ministries of the Archdiocese, simply go to:
http://www.goodsearch.com/?charityid=833607