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Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese
Department of Youth Ministry
PO Box 389
Westwood, MA 02090-0389
Phone Number: 781-255-1757
Fax Number: 781-634-0213
E-Mail: V. Rev. Dr. Joseph F. Purpura, Chairman
The Department of Youth and Parish Ministries supports and integrates the whole spectrum of archdiocesan programs for youth, including the Camping Program, Teen SOYO, and Campus Ministry. This department also works closely with the Fellowship of St. John the Divine, whose mission-while not directed solely at youth-resonates closely with the objectives of this department. Although all of these programs together encompass a broad range of activity and age groups, all share the same goal: to encourage full participation in the life of the Church through worship, witness, service, and fellowship. This department trains youth leaders, organizes events, provides consultation for youth leaders and pastors across the archdiocese, maintains youth-related data and a cache of ministry resources, and oversees programs such as the Bible Bowl and the Oratorical Festival.
The Department of Youth and Parish Ministries webpage has information and links that are intended to be broadly informative for young people, youth leaders, pastors, and parents. Visitors looking for more specific information on the Camping Program, Teen SOYO, Campus Ministry, or the Fellowship of St. John the Divine are encouraged to visit their respective web pages for a complete picture of what each has to offer.
 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.
Click here to listen to the presentation from Dept. Chair V. Rev. Joseph Purpura and Teen SOYO President Amanda June Sahawneh at the general assembly of the 2009 Archdiocese Convention.
More audio from the 2009 Convention is available from Ancient Faith Radio.
 Katrina Bitar, a past SOYO member, SOYO officer, Parish Youth Director, and recent graduate of St. Vladimir's Seminary, was appointed, with the blessing of Metropolitan PHILIP, by the Department of Youth Ministry, effective May 17, 2009, as the new Executive Director of OYO - Orthodox Youth Outreach. OYO is a ministry of NAC Teen SOYO. Katrina comes to this ministry with much youth and OYO experience. Katrina writes:
"I believe in the power of this ministry because I, myself, am a product of this program. I participated in the very first OYO trip. I plan to continue to serve Orthodox Christian young people through not only leading short-term mission trips, but also helping parishes to establish consistent commitments to serving the poor and needy in their local communities.
 Material for the 2010 Festivals is now available online at www.antiochian.org/festivals. The 2010 Festivals theme is "The earth is the Lord's, and its fullness, the world and all who dwell therein" (Psalm 23 [24]:1). Please visit the festivals page to find the 2010 Bible Bowl & Oratorical Festival brochure, an array of Sunday School materials, a recording of the Creative Festivals Hymn and several versions of this year's logo. All these materials may be downloaded for use in your own parish.
Department of Youth News Archive
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