Antiochian Archdiocese News

Prior to Super Bowl Sunday, and in anticipation of Great Lent, FOCUS North America has announced that they have joined hands with Troy and Theodora Polamalu to tackle poverty in America. "By joining with us," they urge, "you will help those in need-the poor, the sick and the suffering. Join us also in prayer this Lent for those who have no one to turn to and no one to pray for them." Troy Polamalu holds two Super Bowl rings as a Pittsburgh Steeler, and his wife Theodora is a board member for FOCUS. They are also parents of a young son, Paisios.

In an interview on OCN, the Polamalus discuss the importance of FOCUS' ministry, why they are choosing to become involved in fighting poverty in America, and how the Orthodox Christian approach to charitable outreach differs from other philanthropic groups. 

The trumpets shall blow, and the graves shall be empty, and all mankind shall rise trembling. They who have done good shall rejoice with joy, expecting their reward; and those who have done evil shall tremble greatly, moaning and shaking, as they are sent to suffering, separated from the elect. Wherefore, O Lord of glory, be compassionate toward us, and make us worthy to be of those who love thee; for thou art good.

-from Vespers, Tone 6

For those observing the Lenten Fast, Meatfare Sunday is the last day on which meat and poultry are eaten before Pascha. Click here to read more about the Lenten Fast.

Read more about Meatfare Sunday, in an excerpt from Great Lent by Alexander Schmemann.

Listen to Fr. Thomas Hopko's reflections on the Sunday of the Last Judgement on Ancient Faith Radio.

WORSHIP & YOU, the new multimedia study for Orthodox Christian adults and teens from Jason Barker and Ancient Faith Radio, aims to help Christians deepen their worship of God, and take the transforming power of that experience into their daily lives.

Focusing on the main services of the Orthodox Church and personal prayer, Worship & You looks at the meaning of what takes place during liturgical worship, and how this applies outside of the church in the everyday world.

Participants can download study guides as well as discussion guides with questions; these free resources will be available in two versions: one for adults, and another for teens. Those interested in supplementing the material can also download the related episodes of either the Worship & You podcast (for adults) or re/CALL podcast (for teens).

The podcasts and study material are written by Jason Barker, who also creates numerous studies, podcasts and resources for AFR, the Department of Youth Ministry of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America, the Orthodox Christian Network,  and other Orthodox groups.

His Grace Bishop BASIL of the Diocese of Wichita and Mid-America recently returned from a journey to Syria. His Grace's travels included visits to many holy sites in in Aleppo and Antioch (in Turkey), as well as visits with Patriarch IGNATIUS IV, Metropolitan SABA of the Archdiocese of Bosra-Hauran, monastics, college students and others. Sayedna has kindly provided us with numerous photos from his trip: click here to visit the gallery!

Click cover to download:  Download Magazine Date:  02/2010

The February 2010 issue contains the following articles:

Why Fast?, pg. 4
by Chris Humphrey

The Power of the Name, pg. 6
by Fr. George Morelli

The Emergence of Local Orthodox Christian Societies in America, pg. 26
by His Grace Bishop THOMAS and Sub-deacon Simeon Dana Kees

...and more!

NEW ITEM for 2010 Great Lent
The Little Compline with the Akathist to the Most Holy Theotokos
Download Order Form (PDF)

New Edition for 2010
Spiral Bound
82 Pages
Musical Notation included
Order of Services delineated for the First Four Weeks as well as for the Fifth Week of Great Lent
An Introduction to the Service
A Paschal Calendar up to 2046

Edited and compiled by the Department of Sacred Music of the Archdiocese

GET YOUR COPY TODAY!

PRICE: $10.00 per copy (plus Shipping & Handling)

Adorn thy chamber, O Zion, and receive Christ the King. Welcome Mary the heavenly gate; for she hath appeared as a cherubic throne; she carrieth the King of glory. Verily, the Virgin is a cloud of light carrying in her body the Son Who is before the morning star, Whom Simeon carrying in his arms proclaimed to the nations as the Lord of life and death, and the Savior of our souls.

--Vespers of the Feast, Tone 7

Rejoice, O Virgin Theotokos, full of grace, for from thee arose the Sun of justice, Christ our God, lighting those who are in darkness. Rejoice and be glad, O righteous old man, carrying in thine arms the Deliverer of our souls, Who granteth us Resurrection.

--Apolytikion of the Feast, Tone 1

When I disobey in ignorance thy fatherly glory, I wasted in iniquities the riches that thou gavest me. Wherefore, I cry to thee with the voice of the prodigal son, saying, I have sinned before thee, O compassionate Father, receive me repentant, and make me as one of thy hired servants.

-- Kontakion, Tone 3

I have been entrusted with a verdant and faultless region, but I planted evil in its soil and reaped its cares with the scythe of laziness. And I gathered my deeds into sheaves but placed them not on the threshing-floor of repentance. Wherefore, I ask thee, O divine Husbandman, to winnow the straw of my deeds with the breeze of thy compassionate love; and fill my soul with the wheat of forgiveness. Store me in thy heavenly garners and save me.

-- from Vespers, Tone 1

Read more about the Sunday of the Prodigal Son, in an excerpt from Great Lent by Alexander Schmemann.

Getting Ready for Lent podcast on OCN

To learn more about the season of pre-Lenten preparation, please visit our Lenten Readings page.

Listen to Fr. Thomas Hopko's reflections on the parable of the Prodigal Son on Ancient Faith Radio: Part 1 + Part 2

Both the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia and the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Mexico, have parishes in Haiti, and all have been impacted in varying degrees, by the devastating earthquake of January 12. V.Rev. Victor Potapov, the Executive Director for the Fund for Assistance of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia, reports that the Assistance Fund has collected over $50,000 and disbursed $16,000 of aid to the suffering people of Haiti through trusted clergymen on the ground there. "This is an ongoing fundraising effort," he explains. "We are working towards opening a clinic on the grounds of one of our five parishes in Haiti.  Please pray for Fr. Gregoire, Fr. Jean, their long-suffering parishioners and for the members of our delegation, who are doing a magnificent job in Haiti, negotiated with the United Nations, the Red Cross, IOCC and other organizations to get aid to our people." 

Deacon Matthew Williams of ROCOR, recently returned from a trip to Haiti, where he summarized in an online report the desperate condition of parishioners there.

Among other difficulties he describes, he says "Three parishes (in Port-au-Prince, Leogane, and Jacmel) were directly affected by the earthquake. In Port-au-Prince the church is badly damaged and must be repaired or replaced before it is safe to resume services in the building. In Leogane the church (a rented building) was completely destroyed."

Additionally, Dn. Matthew notes that "the school operated by Fr Jean Chenier-Dumais was completely destroyed along with his home and vehicle...in Leogane...the houses occupied by the parishioners were completely destroyed and the entire parish is living in an outdoor camp."

Donations to the ROCOR Haiti Relief fund can be made here. One hundred percent of the gifts go directly to the suffering Orthodox Christians of Haiti. To learn more about ROCOR's Haiti ministry, visit their Haitian Mission website.

There are two Greek Orthodox parishes in Haiti under the Metropolis of Mexico. The first is the parish of St. John the Baptist in Pétionville, a district in the capital of Port-au-Prince. The second is the newly established parish of St. Mathias. In a January 13 Encyclical, His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios wrote, “I ask first and foremost of the faithful of the Greek Orthodox Church in America to offer their fervent prayers for the people of Haiti.  May we help them through our prayers to find heavenly solace in this hour of grief and pain, and may they find strength and hope in Him through faith and through the ministry of love and healing offered from around the world.  In addition, may we also offer our prayers for the Greek Orthodox faithful and the two parishes of Haiti who are under the archpastoral leadership of His Eminence Metropolitan Athenagoras of Mexico. We pray for their safety and well-being, and for their witness and service during this difficult time."

After over three productive decades in Ben Lomond, California, Conciliar Press is expanding its operations by moving to a new operations center and warehouse in the Chicago area. The Chicago facility began taking orders in early January, and with this centralized location, shipping will be more efficient. In addition, extended hours will allow for more cost-effective customer service and will keep operating costs to a minimum.

The toll-free number, 1-800-967-7377, remains the same, and at www.conciliarpress.com, customers can shop online. Conciliar Press operates under the Conciliar Media Ministries (CMM) umbrella, along with sister company Ancient Faith Radio, and is a department of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese.

The move to a Midwest based warehouse and fulfillment center allows for both companies to be run from the Chicago area. Father Peter Gillquist, one of the company’s founders, says “The move allows us to serve our customers even better than in the past.” Father Peter recently relocated to Indiana and remains on the board, providing a guiding influence over the operations of the company. John Maddex, President and CEO, says “the move is a positive step and provides a  productive climate for growth as we build on the heritage of Conciliar Press.”

Read an interview with John Maddex here.

O Lord, Thou didst reproach the Pharisee when he justified himself, boasting of his deeds; and justified the Publican when he approached humbly, seeking forgiveness with sighs; for Thou dost not draw near to arrogant thoughts, nor turn away contrite hearts. Wherefore, we also kneel before Thee meekly, O Thou Who didst suffer for our sakes. Grant us forgiveness and the Great Mercy.

--Doxasticon from Orthros, Tone 8

When the Pharisee went down with empty glory, and the publican bowed himself in repentance, they came to Thee alone, O Master. But the one through boasting lost his reward, and the other by his silence deserved gifts. Wherefore, by those sighs confirm me, O Christ God, since Thou art the Lover of mankind.

--from the Praises at Orthros, Tone 1

Read more about the Sunday of the Publican and the Pharisee, in an excerpt from Great Lent by Alexander Schmemann.

His Grace Bishop BASIL, in his St. Raphael Clergy Brotherhood newsletter on January 8, encouraged the faithful and clergy of his Diocese to mark the anniversary of the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision with prayers, volunteer work with local pro-life ministries, and participation where possible in the Washington D.C. March for Life.

His Grace writes:

"FRIDAY, JANUARY 22nd will mark the 37th anniversary of the infamous decision given by the U.S. Supreme Court in the case known as "Roe v. Wade." Please find below two links about how Orthodox Christians will observe that day:

1.  Read the invitation issued to all Orthodox Christians from METROPOLITAN JONAH of the Orthodox Church in America: http://www.oca.org/news/2043 His Beatitude will head the large crowd of Orthodox Christians who will gather in Washing, DC from throughout our nation to participate in the 2010 National March for Life..

2.  Schedule to serve the "Service of Supplication for the Sanctity of Life" with your congregation on either Thursday evening, January 21st or on Friday, January 22nd. The text may be accessed at http://www.saintandrew.net/Sanctity_of_Life.html

3.  Actively support "The Tree House" (http://www.wichitatreehouse.com/index.html), a ministry of our Diocese's three congregations in Wichita, KS (St George Cathedral, St Mary Church and St Michael Mission) and other such ministries and pro-life agencies in your own locale."

In Christ,

+ B a s i l

Bishop of Wichita and the Diocese of Mid-America

Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America

January 13, 2010

TO BE READ FROM THE PULPIT

"You who are strong, help the weak. You who are rich, help the poor. You who stand upright, help the fallen and the crushed. You who are joyful, comfort those in sadness. You who enjoy all good fortune, help those who have met with disaster. Give something in thanksgiving to God that you are of those who can give help, and not of those who stand and wait for it." (St. Gregory of Nazianzus)

Beloved in Christ:

We are all aware of the disastrous earthquake which struck the country of Haiti on Tuesday that destroyed many homes and reduced much of their land to rubble and took many innocent lives. Thousands of homes were destroyed and thousands of people are still missing amid the heaps of ruins. Even the center of the city of Port au Prince, was heavily damaged, including the capital that was completely destroyed. With faith in God, these victims of this disaster are trying to restore some order to their shattered lives.

Haiti is the poorest country in the Caribbean. Three million people have been affected so far. On behalf of these unfortunate people, we are appealing to you for prayer and contributions. We ask that every one of you give generously since the need is great and immediate. Funds are needed to purchase medical supplies, water, food, clothing and shelter for the people who have lost everything. Contributions for this disaster of these unfortunate people should be made through your local parish. Please be generous and respond immediately.

May our gracious Lord continue to bless and protect all of you.

Your Father in Christ,

 

 

 

 

Metropolitan PHILP, Primate
The Self-Ruled Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America

Note to Parish Councils: Please forward your community's contribution to the Archdiocese office immediately, marked "Haitian Relief."

An appeal from Metropolitan PHILIP

January 14, 2010

IOCC URGENT ACTION APPEAL: Relief for the Beleaguered People of Haiti

For the people of Haiti, the hemisphere’s poorest country, life was difficult enough before the massive 7.0-magnitude earthquake that devastated the capital of Port-au-Prince on Tuesday.

Since news of the earthquake came to light, IOCC staff have been contacting partners active in Haiti and attempting to reach Orthodox parishes on the island to coordinate our response to the growing need.  Like many Haitians who have been struggling to reach their loved ones, IOCC is finding direct communication difficult – symptomatic of the widespread destruction and ruined infrastructure that is now beginning to be revealed.

Given the magnitude of the quake and the poverty that already existed before the disaster, IOCC has mobilized its disaster response team and is preparing to respond to the tremendous needs in close coordination with our Orthodox and ecumenical partners. Listen to Ancient Faith Radio's interview with IOCC Executive Director Constantine Triantafilou here.

Please help the people of Haiti!

• Make an online gift to assist the victims of disasters around the world, like the Haiti Earthquake, by giving to the IOCC International Emergency Response Fund, at www.iocc.org. 
• Assemble hygiene kits and emergency clean-up buckets to be shipped to places like Haiti – or wherever disasters strike. For information on hygiene kits, go to www.iocc.org/kits.
• Pray for the people of Haiti and those who have lost loved ones in this disaster and for the safety of those who are working to assist them.  See: http://www.iocc.org/prayers

 

January 13, 2010,  Baltimore, Md. (IOCC) — International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) is responding to the most devastating earthquake to hit the island nation of Haiti in 200 years. Authorities have not put an estimate of how many were killed by yesterday’s magnitude 7.0 earthquake, but thousands are feared dead. People are still trapped in destroyed buildings and leveled shantytowns and there is growing concern about the lack of sanitation, water and electricity.

IOCC has mobilized its disaster response team and is coordinating with our Orthodox and ecumenical partners to monitor and respond to the emerging needs in Haiti. “Our prayers are with the people of Haiti who have lost loved ones in this disaster that has brought even more suffering to one of the poorest nations in the hemisphere,” said IOCC Executive Director & CEO Constantine M. Triantafilou. “IOCC will be working with our fellow ACT Alliance members who are already in place to provide humanitarian aid to those affected by the earthquake.”

You can help the victims of disasters around the world, like the Haiti Earthquake, by making a financial gift to the IOCC International Emergency Response Fund, which will provide immediate relief as well as long-term support through the provision of emergency aid, recovery assistance and other support to help those in need. To make a gift, please visit www.iocc.org, call toll free at 1-877-803-IOCC (4622), or mail a check or money order payable to IOCC, P.O. Box 630225, Baltimore, Md. 21263-0225.

Orthodox faithful and parishes are encouraged to begin assembling hygiene kits and emergency clean up buckets to be shipped to Haiti. For information on hygiene kits, click here. For information on emergency clean up buckets, click here.

IOCC, founded in 1992 as the official humanitarian aid agency of the Standing Conference of Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the Americas (SCOBA), has implemented over $300 million in relief and development programs in 33 countries around the world.

Media Contact: Amal Morcos 443-823-3489 or amorcos@iocc.org

Several years after the momentous Supreme Court decision Roe v. Wade overturned the laws of all fifty states and essentially legalized abortion on demand throughout the U.S., churches everywhere began observing Sacred Gift of Life Sunday. This event, which always precedes the anniversary of this misguided decision, is a call for Christians everywhere to prayers and activism on behalf of women and their unborn children.

In the Antiochian Archdiocese, our teens are leading the way in asking our parishes to observe Sacred Gift of Life Sunday. With the blessing of Metropolitan Philip, Teen SOYO has compiled a packet of resource materials to help the faithful memorialize the 43 million lives lost to abortion in the last 35 years.

In the article Where Do You Stand? from the January 2009 issue of The Word, Fr. Anthony Yazge, spiritual director to Teen SOYO, writes, “our teens recognize that the issue we face with unwanted pregnancy is symptomatic of a greater problem—the lack of purity, chastity, and holiness in our society.”

For more information, please visit the Teen SOYO web site.

On Sunday, January 17, 2010, the hierarchs of SCOBA have scheduled a national event to support the growth of Orthodox media outreach. Titled “Share the Light Sunday,” it is intended to raise awareness and financial support for the Orthodox Christian Network (OCN), a pan-Orthodox media ministry that is also one of the official agencies of SCOBA. OCN uses the power of the radio and the Internet to present our Church to mainstream America--to reach out to everyone, Orthodox and non-Orthodox, with a message that is engaging, accessible and Christ-centered. The Hierarchs of SCOBA have issued a letter calling attention to the ministry of the Orthodox Christian Network, and encouraging the faithful to participate in Share the Light Sunday.

For more information, inluding bulletin inserts, media materials and more, please visit OCN's Share the Light Sunday web page.

from Fr. Christopher Metropulos:

Dear Fellow Orthodox Priest and Parish leaders,

"For you were once darkness, but now you are a light in the Lord. Walk as children of the light." (Ephesians 5:8)

On Sunday, January 17, 2010, our SCOBA hierarchs have scheduled a national event to support the growth of Orthodox media outreach. It’s called “Share the Light Sunday,” and it’s intended to raise awareness and financial support for the Orthodox Christian Network (OCN), a pan-Orthodox media ministry that is also one of the official agencies of SCOBA.  As you may already know, the OCN uses the power of radio and the Internet to present our timeless Orthodox Faith in a way that is engaging, accessible and Christ-centered.

Here’s how you can help: Next Sunday, or some Sunday very soon, you can share this information with the members of your parish. In the very least, you and your parishioners can benefit spiritually by taking advantage of the Orthodox programming that OCN already offers online at www.myocn.net.

You can also make a profound difference in the life of your own parish, and that of the entire Church, by financially supporting OCN’s efforts to build a national Orthodox media presence. Depending on the amount of your parish’s donation, OCN can provide your parish with powerful tools to build your own local media outreach. Please call us if you would like more information, or visit our Web site. In the mean time, I prayerfully invite you to do the following:

There's still so much work to be done, and here’s how you can help: On January 17th or another Sunday in January, you can share this information with the members of your parish by

   * Reading the Encyclical from the SCOBA Hierarchs (available on our website)

   * Talk about the importance of using modern media as a Church to reach out to our congregants and catechumens

   * Include information about OCN in your bulletin, newsletter and on your parish website

   * Pass a tray to help support OCN's continued work to share the timely message of our timeless Faith

You can also make a huge difference in the life of your parish by learning more about the tools OCN can provide with to build your own local media outreach. Please call us at 954-522-5567 to learn more about the various services we offer or email us at info@myocn.net.

Time is of the essence because Share the Light Sunday is coming soon.  Please join me, our SCOBA bishops and thousands of Orthodox Christians around the country in a concerted effort to harness the powers of media to call back the wayward, inspire the faithful and keep families connected to Christ's Church!

For the spread of Orthodoxy,

Rev. Dr. Christopher T. Metropulos

On Monday January 4th, 2010, His Eminence Metropolitan PHILIP, Primate of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America hosted a meeting with His Beatitude Metropolitan JONAH, Primate of the Orthodox Church in America (OCA).

The meeting was held at the headquarters of the Antiochian Archdiocese in Englewood, New Jersey. Also attending was Very Rev. Leonid Kishkovsky, the OCA Director of External Affairs and Interchurch Relations.

The two hierarchs discussed several topics of utmost importance to the Orthodox faithful in America. Among the topics discussed were the following two items of special significance:

1: The two hierarchs discussed the historical importance of St. Vladimir Orthodox Seminary to the progress of the Orthodox Church on this continent, and emphasized the importance of maintaining St. Vladimir as a healthy and vibrant Orthodox educational institution. There was agreement in principle that the two hierarchs will pursue opportunities to jointly support the seminary in ways that will enhance the standing of the seminary and insure that it remains a world-class educational institution.

2: The two hierarchs discussed the planning for the upcoming Episcopal Assembly in North America which has been blessed by the Mother Churches as a result of the series of meetings that have been held in Chambesy, Geneva-Switzerland. This assembly is to be attended by all of the canonical Orthodox bishops in North America.  Again there was agreement in principle that the two hierarchs will cooperate to insure that these meetings produce much fruit in the best interests of the Orthodox Church on this continent and Her faithful.

Tone 4

O Jordan River, why wast thou astonished at beholding the Invisible naked? And he answereth, saying, I beheld Him and trembled; for how shall I not tremble and fear, when the angels trembled at sight of Him, heaven was astounded, earth was encompassed by trepidation, and the sea was bashful, with all things visible and invisible; for Christ hath appeared in the Jordan to bless the waters.

Tone 1

He that encompasseth the heavens with clouds putteth on today the courses of the Jordan; and He that lifteth the sin of the world, cleanseth and purifieth me. Yea, the Spirit hath testified of Him from on high that He is the only Son of the Father on high. Let us, therefore, shout to Him, crying, O Thou Who didst appear and save us, glory to Thee.

Read more about the Feast of Theophany

Listen to Fr. Thomas Hopko on the Feast of Theophany

Theophany and the Environment on Ancient Faith Radio's re/Call podcast

For Teens: What is Theophany?

Epiphany: The Celebration of Life by Fr. Antony Gabriel

A Theophany Within by Fr. George Morelli

Click cover to download:  Download Magazine Date:  01/2010

The January 2010 issue contains the following articles:

Preaching Christ Crucified at Theophany, pg. 4
by Fr. Steven Salaris

The Feast of the Circumcision of the Lord, pg. 14
by Fr. Daniel Griffith

Plus words from the Antiochian House of Studies, the Department of Youth Ministries, Fr. John Abdalah

...and more!

Purity, Virginity, Chastity Educational Packet: click image to download.from NAC Teen SOYO:

Dear Fathers, Parents, Teen Advisors, and Teens:

Greetings in the Name of our Savior Jesus Christ!

I pray this message finds everyone in good health. As Vice President of the North American Council of SOYO and on behalf of the NAC Purity, Virginity, Chastity Committee, (also known as PVC), it is with pleasure that I present to you the official Purity, Virginity, Chastity Educational Packet (PDF).

Since late July 2008, the Purity, Virginity, Chastity Committee has been working diligently to formulate this packet you hold today. The NAC has collectively agreed that it is extremely necessary to reach out to our SOYO chapters across the Archdiocese and provide them with an interactive packet addressing these important topics.

Our main goal is to educate, remind, and preserve young adults’ beliefs about the Orthodox Church’s position on Purity, Virginity, Chastity and Forgiveness. We have gathered information from a variety of Orthodox resources that include, the Fathers of the Church, articles written by Orthodox Theologians, the Bible, and other sources and present them to you, to help begin and increase discussion on these important issues.

We ask each parish/Teen SOYO chapter to hold discussions on this topic during the month of January, which is SOYO Education Month. Please send us feedback on your experience and what we can do to further help you and the teens of your parish.

Yours in the Lord,

 

 

 

Jenna Badra
NAC SOYO, Vice President
Diocese of Los Angeles and the West, President

 

Dear Brother in Christ,

RE: Expanded SOYO Ministry ‐ “Purity, Virginity, and Chastity” PVC

During the 2008 SOYO Leadership Training Session our teens upon reviewing the teen and adult Archdiocese Survey results responded by establishing a new Teen SOYO initiative to address what they believe to be a critical issue in the lives of their peers. Upon seeing the devastating effects that divorce, drugs, alcohol, and sexual promiscuity have on our families, our teens have committed to work towards better equipping themselves and their peers towards making better choices.

Each January, our teens raise money to educate parish youth workers through the Youth Worker Fund, as well as hold discussions on the Sacred Gift of Life on the Sunday closest to the tragic Roe vs. Wade decision of the U.S. Supreme Court. This year (January 2010) our teens will expand their January Education Month to include discussions on “Purity, Virginity, and Chastity” as a way of preparation for marriage or monasticism.

We ask that you support our teens in this effort. Our teens, boldly and with much love and compassion, have chosen to better equip themselves and their peers to live a righteous way of life. While they, and all of us, understand this as a great daily challenge to which some may or will fail, we are committed to the struggle of staying on or getting back onto the path of Godliness.

Please work with your teens to better equip them to succeed in this struggle and or recover from past failings, as they go forward in striving to live a righteous way of life. We have posted the materials for “Purity, Virginity, and Chastity” as well as the “Sacred Gift of Life” online at www.teenSOYO.org. Please ensure that this material is made available to your teens and their advisors and that someone equipped for this discussion is present with them to help them cover this material in a loving and compassionate manner.

Yours in Christ,

 

 

 

 

 

V. Rev. Dr. Joseph F. Purpura
Chairman, Department of Youth Ministry
Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America

 

 

 

 

 

V. Rev. Anthony Yazge
NAC SOYO Spiritual Advisor