Greek Orthodox Archdiocese E-Bulletin March 28, 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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VENERATION OF THE HOLY CROSS ? THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT: On the Third SSunday of Great and Holy Lent, the Orthodox Church commemorates the Precious and Life-Giving Cross of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Services include a special veneration of the Cross, which prepares the faithful for the commemoration of the Crucifixion during Holy Week. More information on this special day, hymns, and readings can be found at
http://www.lent.goarch.org/sunday_of_the_cross/learn/
GREEK INDEPENDENCE DAY OBSERVANCE AT THE WHITE HOUSE: On March 25 a special observance was held at the White House marking the 187th Anniversary of Greek Independence Day. Video coverage of this event, including the addresses by President Bush and Archbishop Demetrios of America, together with text of the Presidential Proclamation can be viewed online at
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2008/03/20080325-4.html
For more information on the observance of Greek Independence Day and the Feast of the Annunciation visit:
http://www.goarch.org/en/news/NewsDetail.asp?id=1954
http://www.goarch.org/en/special/listen_learn_share/annunciation/learn/
http://www.goarch.org/en/archbishop/demetrios/encyclicals/
DRE ANNOUNCES TWO NEW RESOURCES: The Department of Religious Education is launching two new catechetical tools.
Journey through Holy Week, a 20-page magazine for middle school students, follows Christ and the Church from the Saturday of Lazarus through the Agape Vespers. The full-color booklet is designed for use during retreats, in church, at home, or in the classroom. Order now for delivery by April 15.
Our new Vacation Church School program is structured as a five-session day camp for elementary school students. A robust curriculum keeps children moving and engaged with hymns and camp songs, crafts, puppet theater, prayer services, classroom activities, daily full-group assemblies, spotlights on missions, and more. The comprehensive materials also provide suggestions for adapting VCS to a parishâ??s needs, such as alternative schedules and age groupings. This yearâ??s VCS explores the four Great Feasts of the Church dedicated to the Theotokos, focusing on the theme of â??Traveling on the Ark of Salvation.â?? Preorder and start planning now; kits will be shipped in late April.
For more information, call the Department of Religious Education (617-850-1218) or visit
http://www.goarch.org/en/archdiocese/departments/religioused/resources/
ENCOUNTERING THE MYSTERY ? NEW BOOK BY ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH BARTHOLOMEEW NOW AVAILABLE: Written with personal warmth and great erudition, ENCOUNTERING THE MYSTERY illuminates the rich culture and soul of Orthodox Christianity. Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I traces the roots of Orthodox Christianity to its founding 2000 years ago, explores its spirituality and doctrine, and explains its liturgy and art. More especially, in a unique and unprecedented way, he relates Orthodox Christianity to contemporary issues, such as freedom and human rights, social justice and globalization, as well as nationalism and war. Order your copy from Orthodox Marketplace at
http://www.orthodoxmarketplace.com/product.php?productid=19168
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.
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
ORTHODOX MARKETPLACE - www.orthodoxmarketplace.com
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The official online store of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese
Looking for music, icons or cards for Pascha this year? Take a look at our selection of traditional cards and icons for Great Lent and Holy Pascha:
http://www.orthodoxmarketplace.com/home.php?cat=488
Has your child outgrown his or her children's bible? Are you looking for a book that will bring them more knowledge about the background of their faith in an easy to read format? This Pascha, consider giving them the Children's Bible Reader. You can view a portion of the Bible Reader online in English right now by visiting:
http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/abs/nxtd/
You can purchase the Reader in either Greek or English versions for $19.99 for a single, for $159.99 for a case of 10. Use the button in the demo, or visit the Orthodox Marketplace product page at:
http://www.orthodoxmarketplace.com/product.php?productid=18899
Have you seen the new Orthodox Study Bible? Whether you have been waiting for this bible for years or are new to the faith and are looking for a bible with notes and commentary that will educate you about the Orthodox faith, this volume will not disappoint. Currently available in hardcover for $49.95 or in bonded leather for $79.95 - softcover edition available soon. Purchase it today at:
http://www.orthodoxmarketplace.com/product.php?productid=19169
This Pascha season we are expanding our catalog offerings and working hard to offer the best products for the season. To keep up to date on new products and service enhancements, be sure to sign up for our announcements email newsletter by visiting our homepage, scrolling down to the 'Announcements' section on the left-hand side, fill in your email address and click the subscribe button.
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 speaks with His Grace Bishop Benjamin of the OCA about the three lenten disciplines: Prayer, Fasting & Almsgiving. Listen to this program--and many others--on The ARK and The RUDDER, at http://www.myocn.net. Special Moments in Orthodoxy continues Dr. Ary Christofidis presentation "Helping Orthodox Clients Understand the Difference Between Counseling and Confession, Part 2," and Theologically Thinking features the words of Fr. Stanley Harakas "What Does It Mean to Love Yourself?" The ARKâ??s Featured Artist Block showcases Jimmy Santis, and Jason Barker's "Get Wisdom" podcast begins a new series on the Gospel of Mark.
We're thrilled to announce two new programs coming soon: Icons in Sound with Vlad Morosan, exploring Orthodox music, its purpose and interpretation, and Turning to the Fathers, with Fr. John McGuckin, Professor at Columbia, who will be exploring teachings from the fathers of our faith. Each day on The ARK and The RUDDER you can hear a different show from "The Best of Come Receive the Light," featuring favorite interviews from past episodes of CRTL. Be sure to listen to The Rudder, which features brand new recordings of lenten-themed liturgical music, including the Lamentations and the Presanctified Liturgy.
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.
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