wfn.org | GOAA September 5, 2008 e-bulletin

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

> GREEK ORTHODOX ARCHDIOCESE OF AMERICA
> 8-10 East 79th St. New York, NY 10075-0106
> Tel: (212) 570-3556 Fax: (212) 774-0237
> Web: http://www.goarch.org
> Email: communications@goarch.org

> September 5, 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.

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

FEAST OF THE NATIVITY OF THE THEOTOKOS: The Feast of the Nativity of Our Most Holy Lady, the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary is celebrated on September 8 each year. The Feast commemorates the birth of the Mother of Jesus Christ, our Lord.  For the background, icon, hymns and more on this feast, visit

http://www.goarch.org/en/special/listen%5Flearn%5Fshare/vmnativity/learn/

DAY OF PROTECTION OF THE ENVIRONMENT:  The Ecumenical Patriarchate has designated September 1, the beginning of the Ecclesiastical New Year, as the Day of Protection of the Environment.  Read the Encyclical of His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew in recognition of this day and of our need and calling to care for Godâ??s creation.

http://www.ec-patr.org/docdisplay.php?lang=en&id=970&tla=en

Orthodoxy and the Environment: Greening your Parish:  This booklet is a wonderful, practical guide that offers guidelines and challenges for young adults to take an active role in making our local Greek Orthodox parishes more environmentally conscious with the challenges laid out by His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew. Download now  at

www.goarch.org/en/special/greening_your_parish.pdf

ORTHODOX OBSERVER ? AUGUST ISSUE ONLINE: The August 2008 issue of the Orthodox Observer is now available online.  Read the latest news including reports of the 39th Biennial Clergy-Laity Congress. The site also includes an archive of previous issues.

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

2009 PARISH ECCLESIASTICAL CALENDARS ? Discount Deadline September 10:  Orders are now being taken for the 2009 Parish Calendars.  Order packets have been sent to all of the parishes.  Ordering information is also available online.  Visit this site for a sample of the 2009 Calendar, order forms, the calendar fact sheet, and more.

http://www.goarch.org/en/archdiocese/departments/communications/parishcalend ars/

COLLEGE STUDENTS ? ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP:  Whether ooff to college or back to school a great resource for guidance and fellowship are the OCF chapters throughout the country.  Find out more about OCF, locate a chapter, and learn about service opportunities at

> http://www.ocf.net

NATIONAL ORTHODOX RADIO PROGRAM: Have your ever questioned God or his plan? Fr. Theodore Bobosh, parish priest at St. Paul Orthodox Church in Dayton, will speak on the subject "Questioning God: A Look at Genesis."

Special programs on our Internet Radio Stations next week: "Special Moments in Orthodoxy" will feature Chuck Powell on Religious Amnesia. A
"Theologically Thinking" episode from Fr. Thomas Hopko on God the Father and "A Turning to the Fathers" episode entitled "St. John of Apemeia" will also be available this week. And new episodes of "Journeys to Orthodoxy," "Get Wisdom," "Icons in Sound" and  more.

Sign up for our newsletter and register to win an
"Orthodox Study Bible." An new winner will announced each week.

All programs available on Internet Radio, Podcast and OnDemand at www.myocn.net.

ORTHODOX MARKETPLACE - www.orthodoxmarketplace.com

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

The official online store of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese

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? 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

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

GAMES ONLINE TO EXPLORE AND LEARN THE ORTHODOX FAITH: The Department of Internet Ministries is pleased to announce an exciting new web site at http://games.goarch.org where kids and adults of all ages can explore, create, play, learn, discover, and grow in the Orthodox Faith. The site features online games and puzzles in a colorful, engaging environment, all with an Orthodox theme. The games are suitable for kids from ages 5 on up and currently features a coloring book, jigsaw puzzles, a memory game, a word finder, crossword puzzles, and more.

The online games are currently in beta and we encourage feedback so that we can further enhance this new online offering.  Click here to visit: http://games.goarch.org.