wfn.org | GOAA - Greek Orthodox E-Bulletin May 30 2008

[Worldwide Faith News <wfn@igc.org>]

> May 30, 2008

> Christos Anesti! Christ is Risen!

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.

If the link does not work from your email, copy the link and paste it into the address bar of your web browser.

PRISON MINISTRY AWARENESS SUNDAY ? JUNE 11:  The Hierarchs of SCOBA have designated Sunday June 1 as Prison Ministry Awareness Sunday.  Read the special encyclical for this observance and visit the web site of the Orthodox Christian Prison Ministry to learn more about how this vital work is following the mandate of Christ.

> To read the encyclical visit:

http://www.scoba.us/articles/2008prisonministry.html

> Orthodox Christian Prison Ministry

> http://www.ocpm-scoba.org/

FEAST OF THE ASCENSION OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST: Wednesday, June 4 is the leave-taking of Pascha, and Thursday, June 5 is the Feast of the Ascension. The Feast of the Ascension of our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ is celebrated each year on the fortieth day after the Great and Holy Feast of Pascha (Easter). Since the date of Pascha changes each year, the date of the Feast of the Ascension changes. The Feast is always celebrated on a Thursday. The Feast itself commemorates when, on the fortieth day after His Resurrection, Jesus led His disciples to the Mount of Olives, and after blessing them and asking them to wait for the fulfillment of the promise of the Holy Spirit, He ascended into heaven.  For the biblical story, readings, an explanation of the icon and more visit:

http://www.goarch.org/en/special/listen_learn_share/ascension/learn/

ARCHBISHOP DEMETRIOS VISITS RUSSIA:  This past week His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios and a delegation from the Archdiocese has been in Russia.  The trip included services and meetings with Patriarch Alexy of Moscow and All Russia, and visits to churches and institutions of the Moscow Patriarchate and to the State Duma of the Russian Federation.

> For news releases of the visit go to:

> http://www.goarch.org/en/news/releases/

> For photos go to:

http://photos.goarch.org/main.php?g2_itemId=21

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 and registration will continue through June.  Register early and make your plans now by visiting

> http://www.clergylaity.org/

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.

> http://www.yal2008.org

ORTHODOX OBSERVER ONLINE: The May issue of the Orthodox Observer is now online.  Read the latest news from throughout the Archdiocese as well as special interest articles, information on resources and services and much more.

> http://www.goarch.org/en/news/observer/

YOUNG ADULT SURVEY: In an effort to better understand and address the needs of young adults, the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America Department of Youth and Young Adult Ministries has developed the Young Adult Survey. By listening to the voice of young adults living in our society, the Department is looking to create new, effective ministries for this demographic.  The Young Adult Survey is a short, online analysis that will help assess various aspects of young adult life.  To take the survey visit and for a chance to win an IPod Nano visit

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=VNxjzW_2fxtHXyvE0iF9U5Yw_3d_3d

NATIONAL ORTHODOX RADIO PROGRAM: Today, many Christians disagree on how best to interpret the Book of Genesis. Some even disagree on how modern scientific theories like evolution should influence theology. But this debate is nothing new. Dr. Peter Bouteneff, a professor at St Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary, has studied and written about how the Early Christians addressed and resolved many of these issues. Tune in to find out about the intersection of scripture, science, creation, the ancient Christian faith -- and how it all applies to today's debates.

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 on OCN Now, we'll also be featuring IOCCâ??s food security program efforts in the West Bank and Jerusalem. A Turning to the Fathers episode on St. John of Apameia will also be available this week.  Programs are also available on Podcast and OnDemand.

PASCHAL MESSAGE OF ARCHBISHOP DEMETRIOS:  The message of His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America for Great and Holy Pascha is online at the address below.  View and listen to this inspiring message in English or Greek in Quicktime, Flash Video, or download for Podcast at

http://www.goarch.org/en/archbishop/demetrios/messages/messages_pascha2008.a sp

Read the text of the Archbishopâ??s Paschal Encyclical at

http://www.goarch.org/en/archbishop/demetrios/encyclicals/

Read the Patriarchal Proclamation of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew at

http://www.goarch.org/en/archbishop/demetrios/encyclicals/detail.asp?id=19 2

VACATION CHURCH SCHOOL RESOURCES: 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 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

ORTHODOX MARKETPLACE - www.orthodoxmarketplace.com

> --------------------

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 or SHOPPING ON 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

> For online shopping visit

> http://www.goodsearch.com/goodshop.aspx