wfn.org | Greek Orthodox Archdiocese E-bulletin May 7, 2010

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

> GREEK ORTHODOX ARCHDIOCESE OF AMERICA
> 8-10 East 79th St. New York, NY 10075-0106
> Tel: (212) 570-3530 Fax: (212) 774-0237
> Web: http://www.goarch.org  - Email: communications@goarch.org

Greek Orthodox Archdiocese E-bulletin May 7, 2010

> 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.

FEAST OF 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.  This year it will be celebrated on May 13. 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.  To learn more about the Feast of the Ascension visit this special 
site.  You will find a description of the icon, readings, hymns and more.

www.goarch.org/special/listen_learn_share/ascension/index_html

Sunday of the Blind Man, May 9:  lent.goarch.org/sunday_of_the_blindman/learn/

2010 CLERGY-LAITY CONGRESS REGISTRATION:  The 40th Biennial Clergy-Laity 
Congress will be this Summer in Atlanta, July 4-8.  Registration and reporting 
forms are now available online.  Mark your calendar and register early.  This 
site will be updated with additional information on the Congress in the coming 
months.  A summary of main events for each day of the Congress is now available.

www.goarch.org/archdiocese/clergylaity/2010/index_html

NATIONAL ORATORICAL FESTIVAL TO BE HELD IN NYC, JUNE 4-6: The Archdiocese 
Oratorical Festival will once again return to New York City where the first one 
was held in 1984.  This time the event will take place at Holy Trinity 
Cathedral in Manhattan. The Oratorical Festival has become one of the most 
challenging and inspiring program that our Greek Orthodox Archdiocese offers 
its youth. It encourages them to research a topic, to write about it and to 
deliver their homily to the congregation. Each time they participate, they are 
learning the basic skills of public speaking, as well as inspiring all those 
who hear them.  Many of the past participants have expressed how, The program 
meant so much to them in their growth and development. We encourage you to 
attend an Oratorical Festival; many parish, district and metropolis Oratorical 
Festivals are being held during these weeks of Great Lent and after Pascha.  
Only two finalists from each metropolis will advance to the Archdiocese 
Oratorical Festival in New York City; but that does not mean that each and 
every participant at each and every parish Oratorical Festival has not met with 
success.  Just having participated in the Oratorical Festival is a wonderful 
accomplishment and deserves praise.  For more information on the Oratorical 
Festival see the link below or contact the Department of Religious Education at 
617-850-1218 or email at tvrame@goarch.org.

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

HELLENIC COLLEGE CONTINUES CHRYSOSTOM SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM: Hellenic College 
will continue to award a  scholarship to the winner of the senior division 
Chrysostom Oratorical Contest of each participating parish .The scholarship is 
for 100% of tuition for the first year and 80% of tuition for each of the 
following three years providing the student maintains a 3.0 GPA and adheres to 
the conduct and standards expected of a student in the college. Winners are not 
guaranteed admission to Hellenic College. Students must satisfy admission 
requirements for the college in order to be eligible for the scholarship. The 
estimated value of the scholarship over fours of study is approximately $68,000.

Those interested are encouraged to contact Mr. Gregory Floor, Director of 
Admissions, at 617-850-1285, or via email at gfloor@hchc.edu. Information is 
also available on the Hellenic College website at 
www.hchc.edu/hellenic/admissions/anniversary-scholarships-continued.html.

> THIS WEEK FROM THE ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN NETWORK

COME RECEIVE THE LIGHT - THE NATIONALLY SYNDICATED RADIO PROGRAM OF ORTHODOX 
CHRISTIANITY
On May 6th this year, we celebrate the feastday of the Prophet Job. Here to talk with 
us about this important Old Testament Saint is  Deacon Irenaios Anderson from Saint 
Herman Theological Seminary in Kodiak, Alaska. Also joining us this week on CRTL is Dr. 
Stephen Muse, Director of Counselor Training & Clinical Services at the D.A. & 
Elizabeth Turner Ministry Resource Center in Columbus, GA. He'll be telling us about 
something he calls Post Traumatic Spiritual Disorder.
**********************
THIS WEEKâ??S PODCASTS
This week on Theologically Thinking, The Ascension of Christ is a mystery much like His 
Resurrection. They are both however, proof of His divinity.  Fr. Frank Marangos talks 
about the Ascension of Christ into the heavens and what it means to Christianity today. 
In this week's episode of Special Moments in Orthodoxy, Fr. David Smith continues his new 
series on the Book of Romans. Join Fr. David as he investigates Paulâ??s letter to 
the Romans, what it meant for the original recipients and what it says to todayâ??s 
reader. This week on Just Thinking, Fr. Chris speaks with Dr. Elizabeth Prodromou, Vice 
Chair of the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom. She's here to 
tell us about release of the Commission's Annual Report
for 2009, which has been widely anticipated around the world and a feature 
story on stations like CNN and the BBC. Dr. Prodromou will give us an insider's 
look at how the report was written, as well as updates on countries of 
significance to Orthodoxy like Turkey and Russia.
**********************
OCN Coverage of Saint Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary Lectures
Be sure to check out Dr. Weston W. Fields,  Executive Director of the Dead Sea 
Scrolls Foundation, who recently visited from Jerusalem, Israel, to deliver a 
lecture at the seminary. He addresses the fascinating history of the Dead Sea 
Scrolls, and the work of the foundation, which helps with: the conservation and 
preservation of the scrolls; their publication in the Discoveries in the Judean 
Desert (DJD) Series by Oxford University Press; the facilitation of 
international exhibitions of the scrolls; and many other matters relating to 
the scrolls usage in research and scholarship.
Stay tuned to hear coverage of future St. Vladmir's events, including the Summer 
Symposium entitled "Hellenism and Orthodoxy," which takes place June 10-12. 
Visit us online to find a link for more information on that and other upcoming events.
*******************
OCN and YOUR iPhone - With the release of the Ark and the Rudder in one convenient 
and free download, listeners will have even more options from which to listen to 
OCN's Orthodox liturgical music, groundbreaking podcasts and contemporary Orthodox 
music. To download your copy, go to the iTunes application store and type ocn. The 
download is free and is effortless to install. Visit our web site for details at 
http://www.myocn.net/administrator/components/com_civicrm/civicrm/extern/url 
.php?u=904&qid=660594.
*******************
SHARE THE LIGHT PARTNERS
"As for every man to whom God has given riches and wealth, and given him power to 
eat of it, to receive his heritage and rejoice in his labor--this is the gift of 
God." Ecclesiastes 5:19
These days, â??wealthâ?? is receiving much attention.  In Ecclesiastes, we are 
reminded that all our wealth, whether it is in the form of health, money, material 
possessions, family, friends, time or talent- comes from God.  He gives it to us to use 
for His glory. What a better way to glorify God than to become a Share the Light Partner 
with the Orthodox Christian Network? Share the Light Partners donate a gift of $1,000 or 
more during the course of the year.  Won't you join the 40 faithful who have already 
partnered with us to bring God's word to the world?  This is one small way that you can 
thank God for the wealth that He has blessed you with.
Our goal is to have 60-70 â??Share the Light Partnerâ?? supporters by the end of the 
summer and at least 100 by the end of the year.  God may even bless us with more!  He has been 
known to work wonders for all of us.  Remember that in Godâ??s eyes, it isnâ??t the 
amount of wealth that we accumulate that is important, but rather it is the amount that we give 
that is important.
**********************
FACEBOOK and TWITTER
Have you joined the thousands on OCNâ??s Facebook and Twitter pages? Join us to 
follow programming and events covered on the ARK, the RUDDER and the Anchor. While 
you are at it tell your friends to visit as well.
*******************
RADIO SOLUTIONS for Orthodox Christian Parishes Worldwide
The Orthodox Christian Network (The OCN) is pleased to announce a new service 
to Orthodox parishes and ministries world wide?Customized Online Radio 
Stations. Since recently acquirring new online radio server software, we can 
now offer completely customized 24/7 online radio stations in a cost effective 
and efficient way allowing parishes to stay connected to their parishioners 
more so than ever before. OCN looks forward to being your supplier of 
customized Orthodox Christian programming. For more information about Orthodox 
Internet radio solutions visit our web site at www.myocn.net or call us today 
at 954-522-5567 to speak to one of our support staff.
*******************
ADVERTISING/SPONSORSHIP Opportunities
Sponsor a program or feature your company on the high trafficked MyOCN.net 
website. OCN is now making available the opportunity for people and 
corporations to advertise on our site to support the ministry. Ad space is 
available so call our headquarters to discuss it. Call today 954-522-5567.
**********************
INTERNET RADIO STATIONS
Log on to www.myocn.net to listen to the Ark, the Rudder and the Anchor to hear 
special programming. Whether you enjoy contemporary, traditional Orthodox music 
or a talk format there is something for you at myocn.net. Join the hundreds of 
thousands of people worldwide visiting us every week.

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

HAITI CRISIS ? AN APPEAL TO ACTION: Thee earthquake that struck Haiti has left 
tens of thousands homeless and without basic provisions and medical care.  His 
Eminence Archbishop Demetrios has issued a call to the faithful of the 
Archdiocese to give generously to assist with the relief efforts. Link to IOCC 
(International Orthodox Christian Charities) to learn more about how you can 
help through donations and preparing hygiene kits and emergency cleanup buckets.

IOCC: www.iocc.org/news/3-03-10haiti-release.aspx

DAILY BIBLE READINGS FOR FACEBOOK AND iGoogle: The Department of Internet 
Ministries has launched an enhancement to its Online Chapel service that will 
now provide Facebook and iGoogle users access to the daily Bible readings and 
lives of the saints directly from their customized home pages. Visit the Online 
Chapel at www.goarch.org/chapel  for more information on how to add the new 
Online Chapel for Facebook and Online Chapel for iGoogle to your home pages

ORTHODOX MARKETPLACE - www.orthodoxmarketplace.com

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

The Orthodox Marketplace is the Official Online Store of the Greek Orthodox 
Archdiocese.

Greek Education Promotional Certificates and Diplomas
on Orthodox Marketplace
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- -

Greek Education certificates are available through the Orthodox Marketplace. 
Both promotional certificates to pass grades and diplomas for program 
completion are being sold in packs of 25 certificates for $25 plus shipping.

With the promotional UPS Ground shipping for orders over $25, you pay only $2 
handling for UPS Ground delivery.

www.orthodoxmarketplace.com/greek-education-diplomas-pr-19284.html?MMCF_EB_0 
9034

www.orthodoxmarketplace.com/greek-education-promotion-certificates-pr-19283. 
html?MMCF_EB_09034

If you are not comfortable ordering items online, you may download the "order by 
fax" form:

> www.orthodoxmarketplace.com/forms/fax.pdf

> Use the following SKUs to place your order:

> GRK-121752 - Promotion Certificates
> GRK-121753 - Diplomas

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:

> www.goodsearch.com/?charityid=833607

> For online shopping visit

> 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 
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: games.goarch.org

> Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America
> Department of Communications
> 8 East 79th Street, New York, NY 10075
> Tel: (212) 774-0244 ? Fax: (212) 774-0589
> communications@goarch.org ? communications.goarch.org

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