SOYO (Society of Orthodox Youth Organizations)

NAC Teen SOYO is currently accepting teen applicants as Special Olympic Coaches for this summer’s NAC SOYO Special Olympics Sports Camp.  Applications must be completed and mailed by April 1, 2010.

Click here to download an application.

Please mail completed application by April 1, 2010 to:

V. Rev. Anthony G. Yazge
201 St. Ignatius Trail
Bolivar, PA 15923
Phone: (724) 238-9565 FAX: (724) 238-6415 Email: FrYazge@antiochian.org

January 17, 2010, is the Sunday that precedes the 35th anniversary of the tragic Supreme Court Decision of Roe v. Wade, which legalized abortion in the United States. This Supreme Court decision overturned all moral and logical reasoning that most citizens of our society held and practiced. Since 1973, over 43 million lives have been aborted. Approximately 93% of the women who have had abortions cited they did so for social reasons (i.e. unready for responsibility, can’t afford the baby, concern over how baby would change her life, etc) as opposed to issues regarding the mother’s health, the baby’s health, rape or incest. These few facts are very alarming for us as Orthodox Christians who hold all life as sacred and holy.

The teens of our archdiocese are very concerned about this issue and desire to do whatever is in their ability to help bring about change that leads to godliness and holiness. The members of the North American Council (NAC) of SOYO, with the blessing of His Eminence Metropolitan Philip, are leading our Archdiocese in observing Sunday, January 20, 2008, as the “Sacred Gift of Life Sunday: Protecting the Life of the Unborn”. Our teens, as part of the celebration of January as Orthodox Education Month, are furthering their education, understanding and commitment regarding the Orthodox Church’s teaching on the sacred gift of life and abortion. In turn, they are helping to bring a greater awareness to the faithful of our parishes and throughout their local communities.