GREEK ORTHODOX ARCHDIOCESE OF AMERICA 8-10 East 79th St. New York, NY 10075-0106 Tel: (212) 570-3530 Fax: (212) 774-0215 Web: http://www.goarch.org Email: communications@goarch.org
Greek Orthodox Archdiocese E-Bulletin December 21, 2007
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.
ARCHBISHOPâ??S VIDEO MESSAGE FOR THE FEAST OF THE NATIVITY: View the message of Archbishop Demetrios for the Feast of the Nativity of Christ in Quicktime, Flash Video or Podcast formats. Here an inspiring message concerning the gift of life through His glorious Incarnation. The site also provides a link to the Archbishopâ??s Nativity Encyclical.
http://www.goarch.org/en/archbishop/demetrios/messages/messages_nativity2007 .asp
FEAST OF THE NATIVITY: As we continue through the season of the Nativity Fast in preparation for the great feast of the Incarnation of our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ, visit this special site to learn more about the feast, read the Scriptures, listen to the hymns, and send a special Nativity greeting to someone.
http://www.goarch.org/en/special/listen_learn_share/nativity/learn/
LATEST UPDATES ABOUT THE 2008 ORATORICAL FESTIVAL: The 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 latest press release and other information about the festival, including the 2008 topics, tips & bibliography visit:
http://www.goarch.org/en/archdiocese/departments/religioused/sjcof.asp
Looking for some great gift ideas? Christmas cards? Music? The Orthodox Marketplace is expanding its available stock and along with several new card designs, we are also offering a number of new CDs, cookbooks and other seasonal items - with more surprises along the way! And as an added incentive, use the coupon code DEC2007 before December 31, 2007 to receive a 15% discount on your entire order. Visit us today at www.orthodoxmarketplace.com The Orthodox Marketplace is the official online store of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America.
2008 ECCLESIASTICAL CALENDARS AVAILABLE: The full-color twelve month wall calendars produced by the Dept. of Communications are now available. Individual calendars are $5 or $4 for orders of three or more. To order call 212-774-0244.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR PARISH LIFE STUDY: The Patriarch Athenagoras Orthodox Institute (PAOI) is looking for volunteers to participate in the recently launched "Parish Life" project. The PAOI - a pan-Orthodox educational center in Berkeley, California - is known for its recent study "Evolving Visions of the Orthodox Priesthood in America" which explored personal and professional lives of American Orthodox clergy. For more information go to:
http://www.goarch.org/en/special/2007paoistudy/
IONIAN VILLAGE IS ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR STAFF: Ionian Village is now accepting staff applications! Ionian Village staff members have a unique opportunity to play an important role in the spiritual, cultural and social development of Orthodox teens from all over the U.S. as they travel to the most significant religious and cultural sites in Greece! To learn more and how you can apply visit
ONLINE SURVEY ON CONTEMPORARY ISSUES: The Department of Communications has been running a series of surveys on issues and topics of the day that affect Orthodox Christians and society at large. The site features a brief survey that affords participants the opportunity to interact with the Archdiocese and offer their responses to various issues. The surveys and survey results are published in the Orthodox Observer. To complete the newest on-line survey on â??Young Adults and Church Attendance,â?? go to
2008 PARISH STEWARDSHIP RESOURCES AVAILABLE: The 2008 Stewardship Program packet will be mailed out to every Greek Orthodox parish in America in October 2007. The packet includes two posters with this yearâ??s Stewardship theme, a Stewardship Ministry Guidelines booklet (a step-by-step guide to all aspects of an annual Stewardship program), and a CD-ROM of Stewardship resources. All files on the CD-ROM are available below, as well. For questions related to the 2008 Stewardship Program, please email stewardship@goarch.org or call the Office of Parish Development at (847) 825-1432. For information online visit
http://www.goarch.org/en/archdiocese/departments/parishdevelopment/campaigns .asp
NATIONAL ORTHODOX RADIO PROGRAM: Be sure to tune in to this week's program on Come Receive the Light, THE NATIONAL ORTHODOX RADIO PROGRAM, when Fr. Chris will present his annual special Christmas Message. The Ark and The Rudder also feature interesting and informative programming. On Special Moments in Orthodoxy, Fr. Thomas Hopko continues his ongoing series "The Book of Revelation: The Worship of the Lamb, Part 4." On Thinking Theologically, we will hear the words of Fr. Stanley Harakas from his presentation "Loving God." The ARKâ??s Featured Artist Block highlights the beautiful artistry of vocalist Shellie Jacobs.
Tune in each day to The ARK and The RUDDER for â??The Best of Come Receive the Light,â?? presenting favorite interviews from past episodes of our programs. During December 24 - 28 we will be playing "Pop Goes Religion" (12/24), "Nativity Message" (12/25), "Journey to Orthodoxy" (12/26), "Family & Liturgy" (12/27), and "The Man and the Vine" (12/28).
2007-2008 PLANNER NOW AVAILABLE FROM YOUTH DEPT: Use The Planner to keep track of all your schedules. Keep a daily focus on Christ with Scriptural readings, fast days, prayers, saints of the day, and inspiration from the Fathers. The Planner follows the Ecclesiastical (church) year beginning in September and ending in August. Spiral bound and digital versions available. For more information visit
http://www.goarch.org/en/archdiocese/departments/youth/planner.asp
RESOURCES FROM THE ORTHODOX MARKETPLACE: The Orthodox Marketplace now offers books and materials from the Family Ministries, Youth and Young Adult Ministries, and Greek Education departments. You can preorder "The Planner 2007-2008" by visiting http://www.orthodoxmarketplace.com/product.php?productid=18930 . The tabletop prayer guide for families is also available online at http://www.orthodoxmarketplace.com/product.php?productid=19024 . The entire Greek Education catalog can be visited on-line at http://www.orthodoxmarketplace.com/home.php?cat=547 . The Orthodox Marketplace is the official on-line store of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese. Please visit and encourage others to support the Orthodox Marketplace site as well.
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