We extend our prayers and love to His Eminence, Archbishop Joseph of the Diocese of Los Angeles and the West, and locum tenens of the Diocese of Eagle River and the Northwest, on the occasion of his Name's Day on May 4, 2014 (St. Joseph of Arimathea, Second Sunday after Pascha). May God grant him many years!

Learn more about Joseph of Arimathea (Come and See Icons)

Read about Archbishop Joseph

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Visit the Diocese of Eagle River and the Northwest

St. Nicholas Antiochian Orthodox Christian Cathedral of Los Angeles, CA, celebrates the Ceremony of the Presentation of BoysThe liturgical texts for the month of February, blessed by His Eminence Metropolitan Joseph, are now ready for clergy and laity to download from the Online Liturgical Guide. This month, the Orthodox Church finishes the forty-day celebration of Christmas right as it begins its journey into Great Lent.

February 2 marks the Great Feast of the Meeting (Presentation) of our Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ into the ancient Temple in Jerusalem (Luke 2:22-40). This was not some random meeting. This feast celebrates our forty-day-old incarnate Lord's first official encounter and manifestation with His people in the person of Simeon. In one of many acts of extreme humility, the divine Word thus lowers Himself and submits to the law in order to fulfill it and save mankind. In honor of this, churches offer the Ceremony of the Presentation of Boys, where our young men receive an extra blessing on this day.

The day before that, February 1, the Church starts the period of the Lenten Triodion with the "Sunday of the Pharisee and the Publican." Humility is key to our salvation, and so Christ teaches in a parable (Luke 18:10-14) that "everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted." In an ironic twist, the revered Pharisee (religious leader) tries to describe his worthiness while the reviled publican (tax collector) confesses that he is a sinner and repents.

The preparation continues on the next three Sundays. On February 8, we remember "The Prodigal Son" who wasted away his life in sin, but repented and ran back to his father, that is, our God. This Sunday reminds us to turn back to our Father in Heaven.

On February 15, we remember "The Last Judgment" and how we must live our lives as Christ did – feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, visiting the sick, which are all types of almsgiving. We also give up consumption of meat on this Sunday to dull our focus on the world and to sharpen our focus on Christ. However, we remember the words of St. Paul: "Food will not commend us to God. We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do." (I Cor. 8:8)

Finally, on February 22, we remember divine "Forgiveness." Our Lord tells us, "If you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father also will forgive you; but if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." (Matt. 6:14-15) Churches offer Lenten Sunday Vespers with the Ceremony of Mutual Forgiveness where the clergy and laity ask forgiveness of one another, thus properly beginning Great Lent and the strict fast (no meat, dairy, fish, wine and oil) on Monday, February 23.

Parishes can access a wealth of liturgical resources for Great Lent by clicking here. Sayidna Joseph has also blessed all of these.

The Online Liturgical Guide, produced by the Committee on Liturgics, provides the official, uniform word-for-word texts to be used for the divine services in all parishes across the Archdiocese. Should you have any questions, please contact Subdeacon Peter Samore at service_texts@antiochianladiocese.org.

Fr. Andrew Damick joins Fr. Barnabas Powell to discuss the issue of authority in the Orthodox Church. How far does it extend? Who is the final authority? Listen to this recording of the live broadcast of Faith Encouraged Live from January 25.

Bobby Maddex interviews Fr. Christophe Lepoutre, the director of the Fellowship of the Inexhaustible Cup, an organization committed to honoring Our Most Holy Lady, the Theotokos, by acquiring and maintaining quality sobriety and purity as a way of life.

Youth workers representing Orthodox jurisdictions from across the country met at Antiochian Village on January 22, 2015, and are excited to announce a new series of unprecedented, inter-jurisdictional "Be the Bee" themed events. "Be the Bee" is a popular weekly video podcast hosted by Steven Christoforou, the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese's Interim Director for the Department of Youth and Young Adult Ministries.

Orthodox youth and young adults are invited to a series of monthly, day-long retreats. Each month, from August 2015 to May 2016, "Be the Bee" will be visiting a different city across the United States, offering Orthodox youth an opportunity to worship, learn, and have fun together. Retreats will also offer programs for young adults, parents, and youth workers. For more information, please contact the Greek Archdiocese's Department of Youth and Young Adult Ministries at y2am@goarch.org.

Additionally, Orthodox teens and parents are also invited to a "Be the Bee" retreat Veteran's Day weekend next year, November 11-13, 2016. It will be held at Camp Nazareth, in the Pittsburgh area, and will offer a unique, multi-day "Be the Bee" experience. For more information, please contact campnazareth@acrod.org.

Youth workers are also invited to next year's Orthodox Youth Workers and Camp Conference, to be held January 28-30, 2016. For more information, please contact the Orthodox Church in America's Chair for the Department of Youth, Youth Adult, and Campus Ministry, Andrew Boyd, at aboyd@oca.org.

The Orthodox Christian Mission Center (OCMC) was honored to welcome US and Canadian members of the ACT Alliance to the Archbishop Anastasios and Archbishop Demetrios Missionary Training and...

Noted author and faculty member at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary Dr. Edith M. Humphrey has launched a brand new podcast on AFR! A Lamp for Today will take us into the Old Testament to shine a lamp on the Epistle and Gospel readings in the Divine Liturgy.

The Eastern Orthodox Committee on Scouting, an endorsed agency of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States of America, released the following letter announcing this year's annual recognition of Scouting programs.

Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

On Sunday, February 8, 2015, Scouts all over the United States will celebrate National Scout Sunday. Scout Sunday is an annual event among all faiths which recognize the good work that is done by Scouts in our religious communities. The observance of Scout Sunday tradition was started years ago to make people in the church aware of Scouting, and to allow Scouts to live out of what is pledged each week, The Scout Law says that a "Scout is Reverent" and the Scouts of all ages promise to do their "Duty to God". These values strengthen youth character in their family, community and faith. That is why this Sunday is set aside to honor God and to remind us that we are all His Creatures and made in His Image or more precisely - to image (reflect) Him to the world.

The Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishop of the Americas has designated this also as Orthodox Scout Sunday. Through the Eastern Orthodox Committee on Scouting [EOCS], the Assembly and its predecessor, SCOBA, have been actively supporting both the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts of the USA since the 1960's.

As Orthodox Christians, we have a responsibility to honor our Boy or Girl Scouts and what they represent. The Scouting organization consists of young people aged 5 to 18 and adults who lead them. Scouting is an effective way to help Orthodox youths to do their duty to God and to their country. Scouting builds character and teaches devotion to God in an environment that provides fun under the guidance of strong adult role models. The scouting programs provide a wonderful channel to involve youth in the life of our Orthodox parishes throughout the country.

The EOCS Executive Board encourages all Orthodox Churches to recognize and celebrate this Boy Scout Sunday even if their church does not sponsor a Scout unit. Everyone is interest to go to the EOCS website at www.eocs.org to learn more about Scouting and the Orthodox Church.

Some Scout Sunday Ideas: If your parish sponsors a Scout unit have them arrive in full uniform. If the church does not have a Scout program, have the Scouts come in uniform. Many priests are aware of Scout Sunday and will discuss Scouting at some point of the service. Have the uniformed Scouts serve at the candle table in the narthex, serve as ushers, pass the collection tray, help serve during the coffee hour, and any suggestions from the parish priest. Present Eastern Orthodox Religious Scout Awards and/or any other Scout Awards earned. Have a Scout display and recruitment. Think of sponsoring or establishing a Scout unit in your parish. Approach a local Scout unit and give them ideas for service projects which can benefit your parish and community. Look at the many Orthodox Scout awards and encourage your Scouts to earn them. Scouting has proven to develop stronger church membership and it is a natural fit. Good Scouts make better Church members and good Church members make better Scouts. Volunteer to assist the local Scout troop/pack/crew. Take a collection and contribute funds to the EOCS so they can continue their good work. Think about establish a local EOCS committee so all Orthodox Scouts in the region can gather and support one another.

In conclusion, many volunteers give their time so Scouting's members will be involved in a quality program. Merit badge counselors help Scouts learn more about vocations and hobbies. Volunteers serve behind the scenes on committees so that parish community organizations using the Scouting program can find the best leadership possible for the youth related to their parish family.

Many men and women offer their services to Scouting, but more volunteers are always needed to serve as leaders or share their special skills with young people and other adults. All these people experience a special sense of achievement through their work in Scouting.

We congratulate all the volunteers, especially clergy of various parishes of many Orthodox jurisdictions throughout the country who are active in Scouting and offer a prayer and word of gratitude for their work and dedication.

+ Bishop DANIEL Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA Episcopal Liaison from the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States of America to EOCS

Mr. George N. Boulukos National Chairman of the Eastern Orthodox Committee on Scouting (EOCS)

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On the feast of Ss. Athanasius and Cyril, Fr. Andrew Stephen Damick, pastor of St. Paul Antiochian Orthodox Church in Emmaus, Pennsylvania, and the Associate Director of the Society for Orthodox Christian History in the Americas, discusses the Athanasian doctrine of theosis and what it means for the individual Christian.

The Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States of America will send a delegation to the annual March for Life, Thursday, January 22, 2015 in Washington, DC. The date marks the 42nd anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision that legalized abortion.

Metropolitan Methodios will lead the delegation. He will be joined by Metropolitan Tikhon, Bishop Michael, and Bishop Demetrios Mokissos. Metropolitan Tikhon will deliver the invocation at the annual Rose Dinner at the Renaissance Hotel in downtown Washington DC on the evening of the 22nd. On the evening before the March, Metropolitan Methodios will attend the National Prayer Vigil for Life at The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, DC.

The rally begins at noon on the National Mall at 12th Street. Orthodox Christian marchers will gather to the right of the stage under the "Orthodox Christians for Life" banner and signs. The march begins at 1 PM and processes down Constitution Avenue to the US Supreme Court, where prayers for the victims of abortion will be offered.

His Grace Nicholas (Ozone), auxiliary bishop of Brooklyn and resident assistant to Metropolitan Joseph, will speak at the 32nd Annual Father Alexander Schmemann Memorial Lecture, Friday, January 30, at 7 p.m., on "The Life and Ministry of Saint Raphael of Brooklyn." In 2015, the Antiochian Archdiocese will celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the Falling Asleep of St. Raphael with many commemorations related to the Centennial Jubilee.

The free lecture will take place in the Metropolitan Philip Auditorium of the John G. Rangos Family Building, St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary, 575 Scarsdale Road, Yonkers, NY 10707, and a public reception will follow.

Saint Raphael was born Raphael Hawaweeny in Beirut, Lebanon of Damascene Syrian parents of Greek Orthodox Antiochite-Byzantine origin. Father Raphael was sent to New York City in 1895 by Tsar Nicholas II of Russia to administer the local Orthodox Christian community, which included both Russians and people of the Levant. In 1904 Archbishop (Saint) Tikhon of Moscow and Bishop Innocent (Pustynsky) consecrated him as Bishop of Brooklyn, a position he held until his death.

Bishop Raphael was glorified by the Holy Synod of the Orthodox Church in America (OCA) in its March 2000 session. He is commemorated by the Antiochian Orthodox Church on the first Saturday of November. Originally buried in New York, Bishop Raphael's body was translated in August 1989 to the Antiochian Village Camp in Ligonier, Pennsylvania.

Visit svots.edu for more information, or download the flyer.

 

On a new "Go Forth," Adam Lowell Roberts, the full-time Project Director for an outreach project of the Antiochian Archdiocese, interviews Fr. Michael Nasser, most widely known for his successful leadership at Antiochian Village as Camp Director for a number of years. Fr. Michael explains why youth ministry, whether camping or OCF, is important.

Working together as Christians can be a challenge which is why Fr. John Oliver encourages us to examine a maxim that has stood the test of time. In Essentials, Unity. In Non-Essentials, Liberty. In all things, Charity.

Fr. Evan Armatas chats with four different listeners on a variety of topics. Especially interesting is his conversation with Ed from the UK on science and Christianity.

Dn. John Mahfouz, Ss. Peter and Paul Antiochian Orthodox Church, Salt Lake City (Chelsey Allder/Deseret News)On the feast of the Theophany of Our Lord or Epiphany on January 6, 2015, our Antiochian clergy and parishes journeyed to nearby bodies of water for The Great Blessing of the Waters. Several media outlets published articles and photographs from these services; excerpts and links are included below.

Deseretnews.com: "Epiphany: priests bless water, 'essence of life'"

SALT LAKE CITY — A group of Orthodox Christians gathered at Sugarhouse Park Tuesday to be blessed during a service of sanctification and commemoration of Jesus' baptism.

More than 60 members of the Orthodox Christian community lined up as the Rev. Justin Havens of Sts. Peter and Paul Antiochian Orthodox Church in Salt Lake dipped a bundle of branches into holy water and sprinkled it on parishioners' heads.

Iowa City Press-Citizen: Orthodox churches take to Coralville to bless the Iowa River

Father Ignatius of St. Raphael Orthodox Church in Iowa City brought a Bible, his children and thick gloves to the Iowa River on Saturday afternoon. He and religious leaders from Orthodox parishes were to bless the river, despite the cold.

Wearing a thick winter cap, Ignatius set up a small table on the edge of the railing on the Iowa River Pedestrian Bridge in Coralville. The table would hold the Bible, a bowl of water and a wooden cross attached on a string. By throwing the cross into the river, Ignatius would bless the river in accordance to the holiday of Theophany.

"It's to celebrate the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist in the River Jordan," Ignatius said, while braving the 20 degree weather. The cross on the string would bless the waters like the River Jordan being blessed by Jesus when he was baptized, according to Ignatius. "I checked out the river Friday to make sure there was free flowing, non-frozen water to throw it in."Blessing the Illinois River

Chicago Goarch.org: Illinois clergy participate in Pan-Orthodox blessing of the Illinois River

On Saturday, January 10, Fr. Habib Ghantous of St. Elias Church (Peoria, IL) and Fr. Andrew Kishler of St. George (Antiochian) Orthodox Church (Spring Valley, IL) joined His Grace Bishop Demetrios of Chicago and central Illinois Orthodox clergy, for an outdoor water blessing ceremony.

The event was organized by All Saints Greek Orthodox Church in Peoria, under the leadership of Fr. Cyprian Sas, and was held on board the riverboat "Spirit of Peoria." (See a video from Channel 25 News in Peoria)

 

Memory Eternal! Father N. Constantine Masood of Duxbury, Massachusetts fell asleep in Christ on January 16, 2015 at age 75. Prior to his retirement, Fr. Constantine served parishes in Danbury, Connecticut; Beckley, West Virginia; New Kensington, Pennsylvania; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Beaumont, Texas; South Glens Falls, New York; and Omaha, Nebraska. He is survived by his wife Khouriya Diana, their six children, seventeen grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.

Funeral arrangements may be found here. Memorial donations in his memory may be made to St. Mark of Ephesus Orthodox Church, 261 Main St., Kingston, MA. 02364 

January 17th is the celebration of St. Anthony the Great and the name's days of His Grace Bishop Antoun of the Diocese of Miami and of His Grace Bishop Anthony of the Diocese of Toledo. May God grant them many years!

APOLYTIKION OF ST. ANTHONY THE GREAT, TONE 4 

Thou didst become like the zealous Elijah in his condition, and followed John the Baptist in his upright ways, becoming a dweller in the wilderness and an establisher of the universe by thy prayer, O Father Anthony. Wherefore, intercede thou with Christ God to save our souls.

We want to call your attention again to a free downloadable audio primer on the Orthodox Faith made available from the Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese of the British Isles and Ireland. The 2nd term in the first year just began. Click on the image for all 11 or listen below to the latest lesson on Liturgical Theology and Homiletics.

Bobby Maddex interviews Dr. James Taylor and Adam Lockridge of St. Raphael Orthodox Online Homeschool. Dr. Taylor is stepping down as director of the school after founding it and running it the past two years. Adam Lockridge will be taking his place and explains his vision for the school.

St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church, Phoenix, AZThe 2015 Symposium of the Orthodox Center for the Advancement of Biblical Studies (OCABS), will be held January 22-25, 2015, at St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church, Phoenix, AZ. (Download a detailed schedule.)

Building upon the success of OCABS's inaugural symposium, papers presented at the 2015 Symposium will be published in the Journal of the Orthodox Center for the Advancement of Biblical Studies.

OCABS is committed to empowering current and future generations of teachers and scholars already possessing a love for Scripture. This dynamic collaborative enterprise cannot help but benefit the lives of students and parishioners in a world in need of hearing the divine Word.

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