wfn.org | Archbishop Jonah Visits Orthodox Christian Mission Center

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

> FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

St. Augustine, FL ? On Tuesday, February 10th the Orthodox Christian Mission Center (OCMC) was honored by a visit from His Beatitude Jonah, Archbishop of Washington and New York Metropolitan of All America and  Canada.

Following a tour of the new Missionary Training and Administration Building, which will open its doors later this year, His Beatitude offered His hopeful prayers and words of encouragement to the gathered Mission Center staff. His Beatitude stated that, ?the foundation and history of the Church is missions and the very essence of the Church is missions.? His Beatitude further reminded the staff that missions is one of the most important functions of the Church because
?Jesus Christ and the Gospel heals peoples souls,? and that through Christ ?people are given hope and a sense of  meaning.?

His Beatitude shared his own personal journey in missions and his belief that ?sending people outside the United States helps to formulate the Church?s vision for missions within the United States.?

OCMC Executive Director, Fr. Martin Ritsi, thanked His Beatitude for the Orthodox Church in America?s (OCA) commitment to missions. ?OCMC sees itself as serving the Church toward this vital call. Working with His Beatitude brings hope and encouragement to us all.?

The missionary witness of the Orthodox faithful of North America has reached 35 countries over the past 20 years. OCMC hopes to help the faithful, especially those under the pastoral care of His Beatitude Jonah, reach even more people who hunger and thirst for Christ in the years to come. May God grant His Beatitude many years!

The Orthodox Christian Mission Center (OCMC) is the official mission agency of the Standing Conference of Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the Americas (SCOBA) dedicated to making disciples of all nations by incorporating them into the vibrant Eucharistic life of the Church.

Contact: Alex Goodwin, Communications Director
Phone: (904) 829-5132
E-mail: communications@ocmc.org
Web: www.ocmc.org
Address: Orthodox Christian Mission Center
P.O. Box 4319
St. Augustine, FL  32085-4319

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