Greek Orthodox Archdiocese E-Bulletin April 18, 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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RESOURCES FOR HOLY WEEK AND PASCHA: This weekend is the beginning of Holy Week and the commemoration of our Lordâ??s Passion culminating in celebration of His glorious Resurrection. Visit this special site for resources for you, your home, and your parish during this solemn week of prayer, fasting, and worship.
Saturday of Lazarus: http://www.lent.goarch.org/saturday_of_lazarus/learn/
Palm Sunday: http://www.lent.goarch.org/palm_sunday/learn/
Bridegroom Services: http://www.lent.goarch.org/bridegroom_services/learn/
Holy Unction: http://www.lent.goarch.org/holy_wednesday/learn/
Holy Thursday: http://www.lent.goarch.org/holy_thursday/learn/
Holy Friday: http://www.lent.goarch.org/holy_friday/learn/
Holy Saturday: http://www.lent.goarch.org/holy_saturday/learn/
Great and Holy Pascha: http://www.lent.goarch.org/holy_pascha/learn/
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 Web TV series, beautiful liturgical music for Holy Week and live Web TV broadcasts of every Holy Week service.
NATIONAL YOUNG ADULT CONFERENCE IN DC: Young adults from the Washington-Baltimore Metropolitan area are working diligently to prepare for the 2008 Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America National Young Adult Conference, July 10-13, 2008 in Washington DC. This yearâ??s conference will be held in conjunction with the 39th Biennial Clergy-Laity Congress at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel.
APRIL 2008 ORATORICAL FESTIVAL PRESS RELEASE: The St. John Chrysostom 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 April 2008 press release and other information about the festival, visit:
http://www.goarch.org/en/archdiocese/departments/religioused/sjcof.asp
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 PAATRIARCH BARTHOLOMEW 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
CLERGY-LAITY REGISTRATION ONLINE: The 39th Biennial Clergy-Laity Congress of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese will be held July 13-17 in Washington DC. Registration materials are now available online. Register early and make your plans now by visiting
NATIONAL ORTHODOX RADIO PROGRAM: On this week's Come Receive the Light, THE NATIONAL ORTHODOX RADIO PROGRAM, Fr. Ted Stylianopoulos, a professor at Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology, speaks with Fr. Chris about Faith, Works, and Salvation.
You can hear this program--and many others--by listening to our Internet radio stations, The ARK and The RUDDER, at http://www.myocn.net. This week, we'll also be featuring a talk with Very Rev. Fr. Philip Reese entitled Power in Prayer. Stay tuned next week as each day of Holy Week we feature liturgical music of the day on The ARK and The RUDDER as well as streaming live services from St. Demetrios. This, and much more, at http://www.myocn.net .
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.
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