wfn.org | GOA Weekly E-Bulletin February 27, 2009

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

> February 27, 2009

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.

PREPARATIONS FOR GREAT AND HOLY LENT:  As we enter this  very sacred season of the year, use this special web site for guidance, reflection, and information on the commemorations of Great Lent.  The site provides articles, sermons, music, prayers, and much more to edify and strengthen you on your Lenten journey.

This Sunday the Sunday of Forgiveness or Cheesefare, the last Sunday before the beginning of Great Lent.  Learn more about this Sunday, listen to hymns, read about the icon, and reflect on the meaning of this commemoration in preparation for Lent.

> http://www.lent.goarch.org/

NATIONAL ORTHODOX RADIO PROGRAM: Fr. Roberto Umbertino will speak on St. John the Compassionate and social ministries. There will also be a short segment from Matushka Donna Farley on St. Cuthbert.

Other programs on our Internet radio stations: On Special Moments in Orthodoxy Fr. Harry Pappas will continue his adult bible study of the Book of Acts.  On Theologically Thinking, Dr. Jeannie Constantinou will introduce a new lesson on the Book of Revelation. This week on Orthodox Teen Talk Online there will be a conversation on dealing with doubt.

Look for new podcasts: a new series on the Apocalypse by Dr. Jeannie Constantinou called Beyond the Veil, and another on the great sermons of Orthodoxy titled "Harmony of Thunder".

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

MISSION SUNDAY ? MARRCH 1:  Sunday March 1 will be the annual observance of Mission Sunday.  This Sunday has been designated by the Hierarchs of SCOBA as a special day to recognize and support the work of Orthodox missionaries and of the Orthodox Christian Mission Center.  Read the special encyclical for the Sunday and learn more about Orthodox missions and how you can be involved at

> http://www.ocmc.org

JANUARY ISSUE OF THE ORTHODOX OBSERVER ONLINE:  The January issue of the Orthodox Observer, the official newspaper of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, is now online.  Read the latest news, special features, and more at

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

NEW WEB SITE LAUNCHED BY NATIONAL FORUM OF CHURCH MUSICIANS:  The National Forum of Greek Orthodox Church Musicians has recently launched a new web site.  The site offers information on the programs and activities of the National Forum, and it also includes publications and resources, including the widely used Liturgical Guide.  The site has a special section with resources for choirs, chanters, youth choirs, and clergy.  Visit this new web site and discover how it will assist you in your service to the church and in parish ministry.

> http://churchmusic.goarch.org/

2009-10 MALTA SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS AVAILABLE:  The Office of the Chancellor has announced the availability of applications for the Malta Scholarship Program for the 2009-10 academic year. This scholarship program was established at and is administered by the Archdiocese by means of a generous gift from the estate of Katina John Malta.  The donation and the formation of the scholarship program has been done in recognition of the love Katina had for the Church and to honor her desire to help others, especially children and youth of the Orthodox Christian Faith. At least two scholarships of $2,000 each will be awarded for the 2009-2010 academic year.  Application criteria and forms are available through the web site of the Office of the Chancellor at

> http://chancellor.goarch.org/scholarships

NATIONAL YOUNG ADULT PILGRIMAGE TO RUSSIA: Registration is now open for the National Young Adult Pilgrimage to Russia!  Space is limited to 35 young adults and will be on a first-come, first-served basis. The registration package price of $3025.00 (plus $225.00 air taxes) includes round trip international airfare to/from New York's JFK Airport to Moscow, train from Moscow to St. Petersburg, airfare from St. Petersburg to Moscow, six full days of sightseeing, all bus trips, transfers, entrance fees, hotels (double occupancy), and daily breakfasts and lunches. Deposit must be received by February 13, 2009! For more information please visit www.youth.goarch.org or contact us at 646-519-6180.

Join other young adults from across the country in this unique spiritual and educational journey! Stroll down timeless roads and explore ancient locales of Russia, land of striking beauty, diversity, and magnificent capitals.  The journey begins with the historic city of Moscow, the heartland of former Imperial Russia, ancient Russian churches and the beautiful Kremlin, and continues on to St. Petersburg, the most European of all Russian cities, today one of the most important cultural, scientific, and industrial cities in Russia.  Today Russia is a nation of diversity and tremendous vitality. Cultural traditions of a great country have re-awakened with a newfound strength. Ancient architectural monuments and cathedrals neglected and ruined in Soviet times are being rebuilt and restored. Come and see what this incredible country has to offer!

CROSSROAD APPLICATIONS NOW AVAILABLE: The Office of Vocation & Ministry (OVM) at Hellenic College is now accepting applications from high school students in graduating classes 2009 and 2010 for its CrossRoad summer institute. Due to overwhelming interest from qualified candidates, CrossRoad will offer two sessions! Students from the United States and Canada are invited to take part in an exciting summer vocations exploration program designed to help them discern their life callings and match their God-given gifts with the needs of the world.  For more information and applications visit

> http://crossroad.hchc.edu

SCOUTING SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE:  The Eastern Orthodox Committee on Scouting, an agency of SCOBA, offers two scholarships annually. The recipient for first place will receive $1,000 and the runner up will receive $500 upon acceptance to a four year accredited college or university. The candidates are evaluated on their involvement in their church, school, community, scholastic achievements, and Scouting.  Applications are due by May 1, and guidelines and application information are available online at

> http://eocs.org/?page_id=21

2009-10 GIOLES SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS AVAILABLE: Applications are now available for scholarships to be awarded for the 2009-2010 academic year from the George and Naouma (Gioule) Gioles Scholarship Fund, which is administered by the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. The Gioles Scholarship Fund was established in 1997 with a generous gift in memory of George and Naouma Gioles.  At least three scholarships of
$1,500 each will be awarded for the 2009-2010 academic year.  For application criteria and requirements visit

http://www.goarch.org/news/giolesscholarship-02-04-2009

ST. JOHN CHRYSOSTOM ORATORICAL FESTIVAL UPDATES: St John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival Updates - Information about schedules for District and Metropolis Oratorical Festivals has been placed on the web pages for the Festival. As more information from the Metropolises is received, information will be updated. Also, an entire new page of tips for organizing a Festival and for writing a speech has been created with information shared from the Resurrection Church in Brookville, NY.  Go to www.goarch.org/archdiocese/departments/religioused/sjcof   to see the  latest.

OCMC MISSION TEAMS FOR 2009: The Orthodox Christian Mission Center is now accepting applications for 2009 Mission Teams! These teams will travel to nine different countries in Asia, North and Central America, Africa, and Europe. Team Members will perform ministries of healthcare, construction, youth outreach, and teaching.  For more information on these unique opportunities visit

http://www.ocmc.org/programs/teams_search.aspx?SearchBy=Year

IONIAN VILLAGE ACCEPTING STAFF APPLICATIONS: Ionian Village, the travel abroad camping program of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, is now accepting volunteer staff applications for the summer of 2009. Ionian Village staff members play an important role in the spiritual, cultural and social development of Orthodox teenagers from across the United States of America, as they travel to the most significant and cultural sites in Greece.  For more information visit

> www.ionianvillage.org

2009 NATIONAL ORATORICAL FESTIVAL: The Twenty-sixth annual St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival will be hosted by the Metropolis of Chicago in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota on the weekend of June 12-14, 2009. The Rev. Paul Paris and The Rev. R. Demetrios Andrews host co-chairpersons, and members of the host committee recently met with Presvytera Margaret Orfanakos, Archdiocese Co-chairperson, to discuss the plans for the weekend.

The 2009 Topics and Topic Tips are posted on the Web-site of the Department of Religious Education at

www.goarch.org/archdiocese/departments/religioused/sjcof

ORTHODOX MARKETPLACE - www.orthodoxmarketplace.com

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The official online store of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese

> Free Shipping Offer Extended to 2009

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Due to the positive response, we have decided to continue offering UPS
ground shipping within the US for a $2 handling charge for any orders
that total $25 or more. No coupons are required - be sure to select UPS
Ground as the freight option when checking out.

> New and Upcoming Releases

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We are also pleased to present the Children's Bible Reader - Spanish
Edition, which is available now, as well as a number of academic bible
study resources including the revised Septuaginta, a critical edition of
the Gospel of John according to the Byzantine Tradition and others.

http://www.orthodoxmarketplace.com/-pr-19241.html?MMCF_EB

Soon we will release the new Orthodox Military New Testament, designed
to be small and portable while also including adequate devotional
references for Orthodox Christians who are deployed.

http://www.orthodoxmarketplace.com/-pr-19242.html?MMCF_EB

Ecology Film Series ? Featuring Ecumenical Patriarch Barrtholomew

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Documentary producer Jim Becket has released several films that document
the Symposium on Religion, Science and the Environment - a series of
gatherings that follow from a initiative from the Ecumenical Patriarch
to bring together experts from the field of ecological sciences, social
sciences and world religions together to discuss the impact of human
life on the environment and explore our obligations as people of faith
to sustain the created world. Join our waiting lists to be notified when
these products are available for sale.

http://www.orthodoxmarketplace.com/-pr-19273.html?MMCF_EB

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