SOYO (Society of Orthodox Youth Organizations)
NAC SOYO Officers
President: Hiba Ojaimi, hojaimi@gmail.com
Vice President: Laney Taylor Wagoner, LaneyWagoner@cox.net
Treasurer: Jonathan Kestner Spencer, hopskipnfall@live.com
Secretary: Jason Keith Ioannides, jason543212345@yahoo.com
NAC SOYO Spiritual Advisor: V. Rev. Anthony G. Yazge, fryazge@antiochian.org
Archdiocese Youth Director: V. Rev. Joseph F Purpura, FrJoseph@orthodoxyouth.com
Katrina Bitar Appointed New Executive Director of OYO
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.
Department of Youth Ministry Forms Orthodox Christian Coalition for Healthy Youth
Fr. Joseph Purpura and the Department of Youth MInistry have announced a major new initiative to help teens and their families. The Orthodox Christian Coalition for Healthy Youth (OCCHY) plans to form groups in each diocese to deal with the risky behaviors that threaten the health and safety of youth. A 2007-2008 Archdiocesan study revealed, for instance, that in the previous year, nearly half of the high school teens and even a quarter of the 13-15 year olds surveyed, had used alcohol.
The seven page action plan explains the approach: "The purpose of the coalition is to help educate pre-teens, teens, young adults and parents towards living healthy Orthodox Christian Lives and enabling our youth to live drug free. We will also include education and other efforts towards delaying the onset of sexual activity in youth with the intent of preparing young people for marriage or monasticism and work to assist parents in this endeavor. We seek to do this work in an Orthodox Christian manner and to develop an Orthodox model to be used by other Orthodox parishes and jurisdictions."
In some cases, federal funding may be available to help further the efforts of coalitions. To date, four parishes in three dioceses have come forward as coalition hosts. Fr. Joseph hopes to establish a group in each diocese. For more information, email: FrJoseph@orthodoxyouth.com, or read the action plan here.
SOYO Education Month 2011: Purity, Virginity, Chastity
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.
SOYO Diocesan Nomination Form Available
Those running for SOYO Diocesan Office need to download the Diocesan Nomination Form and have it signed by their pastor and parent (if under 18) prior to the Parish Life Conference. This form must be turned into your Diocesan Spiritual Advisor or Youth Director prior to your Diocesan SOYO meeting at the Parish Life Conference.
Experience Great Friday Vigil with Teen SOYO
In order to fully appreciate the wonder of Christ’s Resurrection from the dead, it is important that we understand the significance of his sufferings that we may behold His glorious Resurrection.
An ancient tradition in the Orthodox Church, which NAC Teen SOYO has committed itself to honor, is the Vigil at the Tomb of Christ. After our Lord died on the Cross, Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea took the body of Jesus, bound it in linen cloths with spices and buried it in a new tomb. Mary Magdalene and the other Mary sat opposite the tomb watching as their Lord was buried. The Church over the centuries has joined with these two women in keeping watch over Jesus’ tomb. The Holy Friday Vigil at Christ’s tomb is our opportunity to help keep watch over our Lord’s body as He descends in to Hell to loosen the bonds of death. What better way to understand the death and resurrection of Jesus than to participate in the Vigil by His tomb?
For more information and materials to assist in organizing a vigil in your own church, please visit www.antiochian.org/great_friday_vigil.
The Church has given us this opportunity to watch and wait with the countless saints and myriads of angels as our Lord conquers death.
Are you looking for a full-time job in youth Ministry?
If so, send your resume to FrJoseph@orthodoxyouth.com. Parish youth ministry positions are now available in several locations across North America.
